v>EPA Superfund Sites in Continued Use
Ellsworth Air Force Base
28th Bomb Wing Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
B-l bomber military jets and runways
at the base.
On-base solar panels.
The South Dakota Air and Space
Museum at the base.
Supported Site Uses: A U. S. Air Force Air Combat Command base has continued to operate during
cleanup activities at the site. The site contains an active runway, munitions storage area, maintenance facilities,
residential housing, service commercial and recreational use areas. Since the site has been designated as a
Superfund site, Ellsworth AFB has undergone many changes. Additional missions were added. New facihties
were constructed, existing facilities have been repurposedto support the changing mission. Renewable energy
projects have been completed, such as a closed loop geotliennal energy system and solar panels that generate
up to 38 kilowatts, enough power for about 20 homes. Shut-off valves have been installed in 69 airfield storm
drain inlets that are used for spill containment and preventing spills from reaching the environment.
Restricted Use: Institutional controls limit access to portions of the site, disturbance of landfill
caps, construction at the site without prior review and approval, installation of groundwater wells and
potable use of groundwater.
Ellsworth AFB,
South Dakota
		

Setting:
•	The site occupies approximately 4,800 acres in a rural area
near Rapid City, South Dakota.
•	The site employs over 4,000 people including active-duty
military and civilian personnel.
•	283 military members and their dependents live in Military
Family Housing. Another 700 single military members
live in dormitories. The remaining military members and
civilian workforce live within the commuting area.
•	Ellsworth receives its potable water from an allotment from
Pactola Reservoir. The water is treated and transported to
the site by the city of Rapid City, SD. The surrounding
community of Box Elder, SD receives its municipal water
from both shallow and deep wells.
•	Surrounding land uses include agricultural and ranching
uses to the north and west, and residential and commercial
uses to the east and south.
•	Surrounding population includes 9,370 people within four
miles of the site.
Disclaimer: EPA does not warrant that the property is suitable for
any particular use.
Remedial Status:
•	Cleanup began in 1995. Cleanup of soil contamination
and surface wastes ended in 1999. Cleanup includes
groundwater and soil treatment, capping of waste, removal
of contaminated soil and waste, institutional controls and
groundwater monitoring.
•	In 2007, the Air Force began inserting treatment solution
directly into contaminated groundwater.
•	Groundwater treatment is ongoing. As of 2013, EPA has
deleted the land portions of the site from the National
Priorities List.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Fran Costanzi
Superfund Redevelopment
Coordinator
(303) 312-6571
costanzi.frances@epa.gov
Site Summary.
http://www2.epa.gov/repion8/ellsworth-air- force-base
Patricia Smith
Site Project Manager
(303) 312-6504
smith.patrjcia/g'epa.gov
EPA Region 8 Reuse Fact Sheets
May 2013

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