[Home] [Master Table of Contents]
[Community Relations Plan Index] [Next Section]
Community Relations Plan, August 1999
Section 5 - Community Perceptions and Concerns
CSSA maintains good relations with the surrounding community. As part of CSSA�s community relations efforts, 13 people were interviewed and their responses reported in the August 1999 CRP. An initial public meeting (Section 5.7) was held in October 2001 and numerous fact sheets (Section 5.4) were prepared and distributed to persons on the CSSA mailing list (Section 5.5) as part of CSSA�s public information program. Additional information on the interview responses from August 1999 and the initial CRP is located in Volume 1, Other Plans and Approaches, behind the Community Relations Plan tab, in Section 5.0. The initial CRP was implemented in August 1999 and is superseded by this update. The following activities were conducted to promote CSSA�s CRP.
Since the CRP of August 1999, CSSA has maintained an Administrative Record for its environmental program (the Environmental Encyclopedia) at the main branch of the San Antonio Library, 600 Soledad Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205. A copy of the administrative record is also maintained at the TCEQ Region 13 offices at 14250 Judson Rd., San Antonio, TX and at the CSSA Environmental Office and has been made available to the public on an internet website (www.stanley.army.mil). The administrative record contains copies of all plans and reports submitted to regulators, meeting minutes from all technical progress meetings, and key correspondence between CSSA and the regulatory agencies.
In July 2001, CSSA created its Off-post Monitoring Response Plan (the Plan). The Plan was revised in June 2002. The purpose of the Plan is to:
| Confirm area drinking water meets EPA and TCEQ standards; | |
| Determine the lateral and vertical extent of contamination released from CSSA; | |
| Identify any potential off-post source areas of groundwater contamination; | |
| Provide the framework to monitor off-post water wells located downgradient of known source areas and within proximity to CSSA; and | |
| Provide action levels and Army response guidance when off-post ground water contamination is encountered. |
The Plan describes the well access agreements signed by off-post well owners before sampling of their well, and describes sampling procedures and laboratory analytical methods. As of September 2002, the contaminants of concern (COCs) identified in off-post wells have been VOCs (such as 1,2-DCE,etc.), PCE and TCE. The action levels for VOCs are based on MCLs established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Plan sets out the following guidelines for action by CSSA dependent upon laboratory analytical results:
| If VOC concentrations are greater than or equal to 90 percent of the MCL (4.5 ppb for PCE and TCE) and the well is used as a potable water source, bottled water will be supplied within 24 hours. A confirmation sample will be collected from the well. Re-sampling will take place within 14 days of the receipt of the final validated analytical report. If the follow-up sampling confirms COCs above 90% of the MCLs, the residence or supply well will be evaluated and CSSA will determine an appropriate method for wellhead treatment; or, connection to an alternative water source will be selected if CSSA deems it feasible as the preferred alternative. Cost related to installation and maintenance of wellhead treatment equipment or connection to an alternative water source will be borne by the U.S. Army. | |
| If VOC contaminant levels are ≥80 percent of the MCL during any single monitoring event based on preliminary data from the laboratory (4.0 ppb for PCE and TCE) and the well is used as a potable water source, it will be monitored monthly. If the follow-up sampling confirms COCs are ≥80 percent of the MCL, it will be re-sampled until the level falls below the 80 percent value. Should the value be ≥90 percent of the MCL, see previous bullet. | |
| If any VOC COC is detected at levels greater than the MDL for SW846 Method 8260 (historically 0.11 ppb for PCE, 0.14 ppb TCE), the well will be re-sampled on a quarterly basis. This sampling will be completed in concert with on-post sampling events and will be used to develop historical trends in the area. Quarterly sampling will continue for a minimum of 1 year, after which the sampling frequency will be reviewed and possibly decreased with the concurrence of EPA and TCEQ. | |
| If VOCs are not detected during the initial sampling event, (i.e., no VOC contaminant levels above the MDL), further sampling of the well will be considered on an as needed basis. Future sampling of such a well may be required to evaluate potential seasonal variation in contaminant trends. The well owner, EPA, and TCEQ will be apprised of any re-sampling decisions regarding non-detect wells. |
When off-post public supply systems are adversely impacted, CSSA will cooperate and coordinate solutions to the maximum extent practicable. As required by the Order, a Water Well Survey Report (Parsons, August 2001) identified and located both privately and publicly-owned groundwater wells within ��mile of CSSA. The Water Well Survey Report is located in the Environmental Encyclopedia in Volume 5-2, Groundwater Investigation. Beginning in September 2001, CSSA began quarterly sampling of selected off-post public and private water wells. Quarterly off-post groundwater monitoring events have been conducted in September and December 2001, March and June 2002, and will continue to be conducted on a quarterly basis in the foreseeable future. A report presenting analytical results for each event is located in the Environmental Encyclopedia in Volume 5-1, Groundwater, behind the Off-post Groundwater Monitoring tab. Based on the laboratory analytical results obtained from each sampling event and the requirements of the Plan, CSSA responded to community concerns and needs for various environmental activities in accordance with the CRP.
5.3 - Community Responses to Interview Questions
Interview questions were formulated to elicit information on what issues needed to be addressed by the base as well as gauge the current perception of base activities by the neighboring residents. Limited background information was also gathered to assess any biases that location, affiliation, or residency duration may bring to perceptions. The following summarizes the questions asked and responses given during the interviews.
Would you like your results to be submitted anonymously? (Circle one) Yes No
Eight of the thirteen (62%) interviewees elected to submit anonymous results to CSSA.
Federal, State, County and City Officials
Two of the four government officials indicated that they wanted to submit anonymous results.
Residents or Landowners near CSSA
Two of the three persons interviewed asked to submit anonymous results to CSSA.
Civic Organizations
Two of the three persons representing civic organizations decided to submit anonymous results to CSSA.
Business Owners
All of the business owners interviewed elected to submit anonymous results.
How long have you lived or worked in the CSSA area?
The majority of those interviewed are long-term residents of the CSSA area, with the average time living or working in the area being 17 years. Durations ranged from 2 to 40 years.
Federal, State, County and City Officials
The average length of time that a government official has lived in the CSSA area is 21 years.
Residents or Landowners near CSSA
Neighbors to CSSA have lived an average of 22 years in the CSSA area.
Civic Organizations
The average length of time that a civil organization representative has lived in the CSSA area is 20 years.
Business Owners
One interviewee declined to answer this question. One business owner is fairly new to the area, having worked in the area for only two years, while the other owner has owned a business in the area for 16 years.
Are there any specific environmental projects or concerns at CSSA that you can remember since you have been living in this area?
Federal, State, County and City Officials
Two people expressed concerns or remembered specific environmental projects at CSSA since living/working in the area. Environmental projects listed include brush burning, the destruction of old munitions, and hazardous chemicals storage. Chemical storage was mentioned in reference to a media story approximately nine years ago.
Residents or Landowners near CSSA
Two people remembered specific environmental projects at CSSA since living/working in the area. Environmental projects included brush burning and the destruction of old munitions. In addition, apprehension over the sound of explosions emanating from the base were also noted from one resident landowner.
Civic Organizations
All of the civic representatives interviewed stated that they could not remember any projects or having any concerns.
Business Owners
All of the business owners interviewed stated that they could not remember any projects or having any concerns.
Are you aware of the environmental program at CSSA?
Federal, State, County and City Officials
All of these respondents stated that they were not aware of the CSSA environmental program.
Residents or Landowners near CSSA
Two of the respondents stated they were aware of the environmental program.
Civic Organizations
None of the civic organization representatives were familiar with CSSA�s environmental program.
Business Owners
Three persons stated that, although they were familiar with the base, they did not have any knowledge of its environmental program.
How would you rate your interest in environmental activities at CSSA? (Choose from below)
1 - Very interested
2 - Somewhat interested
3 - Interested
4 - Not very interested
5 - Not interested at all
The average level of interest of the interviewees is a two (somewhat interested), with the breakdown of answers as follows:
| Government | Landowners | Civic | Business | Total | |
| Very interested: | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |
| Somewhat interested: | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| Interested: | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Not very interested: | 0 | ||||
| Not interested at all: | 2 | 2 |
Have you ever contacted any officials about questions/concerns that you have regarding environmental conditions at CSSA?
Federal, State, County and City Officials
Of the three government officials interviewed, only one has contacted the base with questions.
Residents or Landowners near CSSA
Of the three residents/landowners interviewed, only one has contacted the base with questions.
Civic Organizations
None of the interviewees have contacted any officials with questions concerning CSSA.
Business Owners
None of the owners have contacted any officials with questions concerning CSSA.
Whom did you contact? (Circle one)
CSSA Federal State County City Other
Both interviewees contacted CSSA personnel. One person contacted a neighbor that works at CSSA, and the specific CSSA employee was not specified in the other case.
Do you believe your concerns have been accurately reflected in the media coverage?
All interviewees either answered no or unknown to this question, due to a lack of media coverage of environmental activities at CSSA.
Do you believe you have been kept adequately informed about the base?
Although all the interviewees were familiar with the base, none of them felt they knew enough about the environmental program.
What is the best way to provide you with information about the base?
Federal, State, County, and City Officials
Two people stated that newsletters or mailings are the best method for distributing information. One person felt that telephone calls are most effective and one person felt that monthly meetings of the Economic Development and Environmental Review Committee of the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) is most effective.
Residents or Landowners near CSSA
All three people stated that newsletters or mailings are the best method for distributing information.
Civic Organizations
All three stated that newsletters or mailings are the best method for distributing information.
Business Owners
One person prefers mailings, while the other two people do not want more information about the base.
Are there any environmental projects or initiatives for which you would like more information?
Federal, State, County and City Officials
Three government officials requested more information regarding the environmental program at CSSA. Information requests include:
Discharges/spills which might contaminate the Edwards Aquifer;
Exhaust emissions/volatile organic compounds which may impact the TNRCC ozone monitor at Camp Bullis; and
General base information
Residents or Landowners near CSSA
The cause or source of the burnings and explosions on base were noted One person heard CSSA is an underground nuclear storage facility and was concerned about its environmental impacts. The other two interviewees did not request more information about the base.
Civic Organizations
All of the interviewees stated that there were no specific projects or initiatives for which they wanted more information.
Business Owners
All of the business owners stated that there were no specific projects or initiatives for which they wanted more information.
In what manner would you like to be involved with future environmental work at CSSA?
While most stated that they would not like to be involved with environmental work at the installation, one resident/landowner stated that they would like to volunteer for brush clearance.
Would you like to be added to a mailing list and receive publications covering environmental activities at CSSA?
Two of the business owners did not want their names included on the mailing list. All other interviewees would like to receive information concerning the base.