Ready for Reuse Fact Sheet
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot (FNOD)
Superfund Site
Suffolk, Virginia
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Overview
Size and Ownership
There are more than 100 landowners in
the boundary of the 975-acre site. The
site is either already in reuse or ready for
mixed reuse. It includes areas for recreation,
residential, educational and commercial
development.
Current Site Uses
• Educational uses
• Commercial businesses and hospitality
• Community-focused services
• Engineering, technology and logistics
services
• Innovative water treatment services
• Residential developments
Land Use Controls
• City of Suffolk Groundwater Ordinance
• 3Rs Munitions Education Program
FNOD Location
Setting and History
The Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot Site
(FNOD or the site) is located in Suffolk, Virginia
at the end of State Route 135, off Interstate 664.
The site is on the James River at the mouth of
the Nansemond River, six miles across Hampton
Roads from Newport News and about 11 miles
west of Norfolk. Starting in 1917, the U.S.
Department of Defense (DOD) used the area
for munitions storage, shipment, classification,
reconditioning, loading and destruction. FNOD
closed in the early 1960s. A primary use from
1960 to the present is educational/institutional.
Operations contaminated soil, sediment and
groundwater. The Environmental Protection
Agency (the EPA) added the site to the National
Priorities List in 1999.
Aerial view of the FNOD waterfront. (Source: EPA)
October 2024
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Cleanup Efforts
Site activities include investigation and remediation of contaminated
soil, sediment and groundwater. Investigations are ongoing. Over
400 munitions have been dug up from the FNOD property that were
considered "live" or contained enough explosives to warrant disposal
or deactivation by denotation. The remaining munitions response
activities at FNOD are being conducted as non-time critical removal
activities. Additional cleanup projects will create more opportunities
for redevelopment.
Land at the site is already in reuse and more reuse is possible. The
Virginia Department of Social Services has offices onsite and there are
multiple commercial and industrial businesses, private schools and
churches. Cleanup of the site's Main Burning Ground and GE Pond
areas enabled the construction of a warehouse that supports the local
port. The EPA recognized this project with its Excellence in Site Reuse
award in September 2023.
I idewater Community College sign at the site. (Source: Skeo
Solutions)
Attain at Harbour View, an apartment complex at the site. (Source: Skeo Mariott Hotel at the site. (Source: Skeo Solutions)
Solutions)
Center for
Truck Driver Training C-1
4- Receiving/Warehouse
4- Facilities Maintenance
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TCCREF Future Land Use Considerations
TCCREF owns about 300 acres in the northern part of the site (shown in blue on the map below). The Tidewater Community
College Center for Workforce Solutions leases property and currently operates in this area.TCCREF is interested in redevelopment
opportunities that may include mixed use commercial and residential development.
Local governments control land use through zoning and ordinances. Redevelopment will need to comply with local land use
requirements. To request a change to allow for another type of land use, property owners or developers can work with the
locality on a rezoning application or a special use permit. More information about local zoning information is available at
www.suffolkva.us/497/Zonina-Administration.
Undeveloped areas of the site are available for reuse. However sampling and environmental investigations are being conducted
throughout the site, and future use of site properties must be compatible with any ongoing site cleanup work and comply
with land use restrictions related to the cleanup. This will require consultation with the EPA. in addition, due to past military
activities, an institutional control program called the "3Rs Explosive Safety Education" is in place. This munitions education
program teaches people what to do to protect themselves if they find a munition: recognize, retreat from, and report any
munitions they encounter. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has put in place an interim Land Use Control Implementation Plan
that includes a number of safety precautions for designated Munitions Response Sites where the Corps is continuing, planning
or has completed munitions response actions.
The area relies on a public water supply, A city of Suffolk groundwater ordinance restricts groundwater use and is in place to
prevent exposure to contaminated groundwater.
Tidewater Community
College Real Estate
Foundation (TCCREF)
Dominion
Bridgeway
iontinental
Economic
levelopment
^Authority I
Potential for Reuse
In Residential Reuse
In Commercial/lndustrial/Public
Reuse
Former Nansemond Ordnance
Depot (FNOD) Boundary
Disclaimer: This map and any boundary lines within the map are approximate and subject to change.
The map is not a survey The map is for informational purposes only regarding EPA's response actions at
the Site. Map image is the intellectual property of Esri and is used herein under license. Copyright ©
2020 Esri and its licensors. All hghts reserved. Sources: Esri, Maxar
FNOD Land Use Map
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Supporting Reuse at Superfund Sites
The EPA's Superfund Redevelopment Program works nationwide, helping to realize the redevelopment potential of Superfund
sites, transforming formerly contaminated lands into valuable community resources. The EPA can provide technical assistance
to help parties consider cleanup and reuse options.
Most of the acreage associated with the FNOD site is ready for reuse with coordination with the EPA. The EPA works with
prospective purchasers, local government entities involved in property acquisition and interested developers to ensure that
interested parties have the information and tools to successfully redevelop the site. Property acquisition and future development
should be coordinated closely with the EPA Region 3 and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure consistency with the site's
clean-up, including any site restrictions and operation and maintenance.
The Superfund law also provides important liability protections that could apply to prospective purchasers of parcels within
the site. Prospective purchasers can qualify for liability protections and the EPA can provide additional information to interested
parties. Please see the contact information below.
For more information, see: www.epa.aov/superfund-redevelopment.
Ryan Homes at Harbour View Townes, a residential development at the
site. (Source: EPA)
Contacts
For more information, please contact:
Jackie Kondrk
(215)814-3358
kondrk.iaclvntaepa.aov
Mallory Moser
(215)814-2030
moser,mallorv{S>epa,aov
Site Profile: www.epa.gov/superfund/nansemond
USACE Website: www.nao.usace.armv.mil/Missions/Environmental/FNOD
Aaa ob
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Oak & Lily Academy, a school at the site. (Source: EPA)site. (Source: EPA)
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