Response: We have not found any chemicals in residential areas at concentrations that exceed the Human Health Protective concentrations established by TCEQ except for one surface sample in the Shot Gun Range that most likely contained a bullet. After retesting the area all results were below Human Health Protective concentrations.

Response: Environmental Restoration Program for a Formerly Used Defense Site.

Response: The former LAFB (previously call Laredo Army Air Corps Base) was acquired by the U.S. Government on May 7, 1942. The LAFB had a total of 2,085 acres and was used to train pilots and gunners. Between 1942 and 1974 the government constructed runways and other facilities at LAFB. The LAFB was initially deactivated in June 1947; however, it was reactivated in 1952 during the Korean conflict. In 1974, the LAFB was deactivated again. Approximately 309 acres were either deeded or sold to other federal, state and county agencies, or private firms. The City of Laredo presently operates a portion of the former LAFB as the Laredo International Airport. (LIA)

Response: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) Program. In 1986, Congress established the FUDS Program to clean up properties that were owned, leased, possessed or used by the Army, Navy, Air Force or other Defense agencies prior to October 1986.

Response: The Corps is working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (Mr. Mark Weegar, 512-239-2360), the City of Laredo (Mr. Riazul Mia, 956-794-7650), the Laredo International Airport (Mr. Jose L. Flores, 956-795-2000), and a City Council Member (Mr. Eliseo Valdez, Jr., 956-722-8031 ext. 2403). The Environmental Contractor is Malcolm Pirnie Houston Office. (Contact Jon Greene, 713-960-7408).

Response: Public involvement is an important part of the Corps' FUDS Program. The Corps hosts public meetings, distributes news releases, prints public notices in the newspaper, hosts a website, mails fact sheets and other information to interested citizens, and establishes a Restoration Advisory Board.To receive mailings, you can request to be added to the former Laredo Air project mailing list by calling the Corps' Fort Worth District Public Affairs Office at 817-886-1313 or sending an email to FUDSmailinglist@usace.army.mil. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address. You may also give your daytime and evening phone numbers and email address. (You can be removed from the mailing list at any time by calling 817-886-1313). A Restoration Advisory Board, or RAB, is made up of interested community members who reflect the diverse interests of the local community, as well as representatives of state, local and federal agencies. A RAB is designed to serve as a focal point for the exchange of information between the Corps and the community. There currently are plans to establish a RAB for the Former Laredo Air Force Base, if you are interested in participating in a RAB for this site, contact Brian Condike of the Corp of Engineers at 817-886-1482.In addition, the Corps has documents related to the Former Laredo Air Force Base DERP FUDS project that are available to the public. The information repository for these documents is the Laredo Public Library, 1120 E. Calton Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041. These documents can also be found on this site in the "Document Online Library."

Response: The Corps and/or its contractors will not enter any individual's property without written consent (called an Access Agreement). If a property owner signs a right of entry agreement, he/she does not have to be home when the Corps and/or its contractors do their work. If a property owner refuses to sign a right of entry, the Corps will not enter the land. If you sign a right of entry and later change your mind about allowing the Corps access to your property, simply inform the Corps of your decision to disallow entry. The Corps' employees and/or contractors will leave if they are already present when notified that you changed your mind.

Response: The Corps is not authorized to study property values associated with FUDS properties.

Response: The current round of sampling was finished in June. Results will be available from the laboratory in July. The results will be discussed with the State of Texas and presented in a Public Meeting currently schedule for September. The results may show that further testing is required to define more precisely any areas that exceed State of Texas established norms. So far, nothing has been found that is above the norms designed to protect human health except one sample in the Shot Gun Range containing a fragment of a bullet. The State has other requirements to protect groundwater that are usually lower than the human heatlth norms. These requirements are complex and are still being studied.

Response: The Corps of Engineers will carry out engineering studies to select the best plan of action to clean up these areas and take actions approved by the State of Texas to fully protect the public health and the environment.

Response: The Army can not and will not enter on your property without your permission (in the form of a signed Access Agreement). The Army must restore your property after they finish the cleanup. You will be protected in the unlikely event cleanup is required.