DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT CORPS OF ENGINEERS

701 SAN MARCO BOULEVARD
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32207-8175

REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF

Programs and Project Management Division

Military/Interagency and International Services Branch

Dear Sir/Madam:

The purpose of this letter is to provide a brief update on the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers’ (Corps) environmental investigations in Culebra.

The contractor for Flamenco Bay (Project 03) and Luis Peña Channel (Project 12)
anticipates beginning Phase 2 fieldwork in late May for the underwater Remedial
Investigation. They will use a number of different tools to map underwater metallic
objects, including towing sensors behind a kayak or a boat, floating sensors on a
hovercraft, and divers pushing a sled with sensors. Once the data is collected and
evaluated, they will conduct Phase 3 to examine the metallic objects to determine if they
are munitions-related. We ask that the public stay about 100 feet away, or to any
established distance, from the crews when they are working to reduce potential impacts
to the data collection process. This should not interfere with beach traffic or other
recreational activities. The Corps and its contractors will coordinate with the Mayor’s
Office to ensure the public is aware of the work and the areas where the crews will be
working.

Phase 3 fieldwork of the underwater Remedial Investigation around Culebrita

(Project 07) and the smaller cayos (Project 02) has been completed. The Corps is
evaluating the data to determine if further fieldwork is necessary. Once the data is
evaluated and accepted, the contractor will draft the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility
Study report, which will present the results and recommendations. After the regulatory
and resource agencies have reviewed the report, we will summarize the report in a
Proposed Plan which will include an analysis of alternatives for future actions. The
community will have at least 30 days to comment on the Proposed Plan.

No fieldwork is currently being conducted for the Time Critical Removal Actions on
Cayo del Agua, Cayo Botella, and the Congressionally authorized areas of the
Northwest Peninsula (portions of Carlos Rosario Beach, Carlos Rosario Trail, Flamenco
Beach, Tamarindo Beach, and the campground). In coordination with the resource
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agencies, fieldwork will resume on Cayo del Agua and Cayo Botella after the migratory
seabirds nesting and breeding season is over. The Corps is evaluating the data
gathered at the Congressionally Authorized areas of the Northwest Peninsula to
determine how the remaining work will be completed.

As you are aware, the Corps’ regulations require that we assess interest in a
Restoration Advisory Board every two years at properties with ongoing environmental
response actions. The Corps again solicited interest in a Restoration Advisory Board in
March and April 2017. We received three Community Interest Forms in April in
response to our recent request for people to let us know if they are willing to serve. Of
those three, one does not live or work in Culebra. We have determined there is not
sufficient, sustained interest in forming a Restoration Advisory Board in Culebra. We
will, however, continue to keep the community informed through mailings, meetings, and
social media.

Please remember there is the potential to encounter munitions on the land and in the
water around Culebra and nearby cayos. Never touch, move or disturb something you
think may be a munition, and remember to follow the 3Rs (Recognize, Retreat, Report).
Recognize the item may be dangerous. Retreat and do not touch, kick or move it.
Report its location immediately by calling local officials.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call 866.279.4880 or email

FUDS.PuertoRico@usace.army.mil.

Sincerely,

John E. Keiser, P.E.

Program Manager, Formerly Used Defense
Sites Military/Interagency and International
Services Branch