Site Number: G05OH0027.
Former Erie Army Depot is located on a 3 mile stretch of beach on Lake Erie between the Touissant River and Camp Perry. The site is located in Ottawa County in Carroll Township. It is 6 miles west of Port Clinton and 37 miles east of Toledo, Ohio. The depot encompasses 1428 acres and consists of two main areas of interest. These areas are comprised of the ordnance activities (with Lake Erie used as the impact area) and a landfill.
The history of this site began in 1918, when the Department of Defense purchased the Erie Army Depot for the construction and operation of a facility for the testing and proof firing of Army artillery, as well as a storage depot. Ordnance tested included small caliber items, artillery, mortar shells up to 240mm, and rockets. In addition, "industrial type" operations occurred during the course of fulfilling the facility's mission. These operations used hazardous materials including fuels, paints, solvents, toxic metals, acids, and caustics. The Ares Corporation, which operates the industrial park, currently test fires cannon balls into the Lake Erie impact area.
The landfill area was utilized by the Army during WWII and was also reportedly used by the Uniroyal company for some time. In 1965, the site was declared surplus and was sold to numerous buyers by the General Services Administration. Currently most of the acreage is used for the Erie Industrial Park, although a number of pre-existing buildings have been leased to private companies by USCO Distribution Services, Inc.
Contamination at this site is expected to originate from the ordnance activities area and the landfill. Contamination from the ordnance area would be caused by the large amounts of ordnance still present in the water of Lake Erie as well as the surrounding soil. Contaminants known and suspected in this area are directly related to chemicals used for the production and firing of ordnance. Contamination from the landfill stems from known and suspected components of the landfill. Currently the landfill has a soil cover, but no liner or leachate collection system. The landfill is also surrounded on two sides by drainage ditches which run into Lake Erie. Therefore, there is a potential for contamination of ground water, surface water, and the adjoining properties.
Past activities at the site have included an interim removal action in the ordnance activities area. During this interim action, over 5000 ordnance items were discovered. Current and future activity at the site include additional site investigation, geophysical surveys, soil borings, and soil and groundwater sampling. Surface water and sediment sampling of leachate seeps, standing water within the landfill area, and wetland areas adjacent to the landfill is also recommended.
For environmental queries relating to this site, contact:
Paul Jayko
OEPA/NWDO/DERR
347 N. Dunbridge Road
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
(419) 373-3038
Related Link: US Army Corps of Engineers
Formerly Used
Defense Sites District Pages
<< BACK
[ Central
I Northeast
I Northwest
I Southeast
I Southwest
] FUDS
Start >>