Environmental Remediation

Former MCAS Tustin

Former MCAS Tustin was extensively used for agriculture prior to being commissioned in 1942 for a lighter-than-air patrol base and re-commissioned in 1951 to support helicopter operations. 

Physical improvements installed over the years to support the mission of MCAS Tustin included:

  • 3,000-foot runway, aircraft parking aprons
  • Aircraft maintenance shops
  • Approximately 200 buildings and structures
  • Support facilities, including:
    • Military housing, occupied approximately 1,100 acres of the approximately 1,500 acres of the former MCAS Tustin (the remaining approximately 400 acres of the former MCAS Tustin was undeveloped and leased for commercial agricultural use)
Overview of Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin

CONTAMINANTS RELEASED

During the operation of former MCAS Tustin, certain contaminants were released into the soil and groundwater primarily resulting from, but not limited to:

  • Pesticides associated with the agricultural uses
  • Solvents and jet fuel supporting the base operations

INSTALLATION RESTORATION PROGRAM

Since the initiation of the “Navy Assessment and Control of Installation Pollutants Program” in 1980 (which later became the current Installation Restoration Program (IRP)), the Navy has successfully completed numerous site investigations and remedial actions; however, contaminated groundwater plumes remain (PDF).

The chemicals of concern (COC) remaining in the groundwater are generally a result of fuel and solvents previously used in the operation of former MCAS Tustin.

REMEDIATION

Remediation continues to be undertaken by the Department of the Navy under oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the California EPA (Department of Substances Control (DTSC) and Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB)).

Documents

  1. Carve Out Areas and Groundwater Plumes (PDF)
  2. Environmental Baseline Survey Part 1 (PDF)
  3. Environmental Baseline Survey Part 2 (PDF)