U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Response to Email from Ms.

Lucking May 2, 2023

1. There are people in the community interested in submitting comments and given that this
is an environmental justice community, we are requesting a 30-day extension for the deadline on
comments in order to be able to consult with needed experts regarding the findings presented.
Given the agency has chosen the no-action alternative, this should not obstruct any remedies
implementation timeline.
Response: USACE has extended the comment period from June 2 to July 5, 2023.

2. Please confirm that the screenshot copied below from the US ACE website shows ALL
documents pertaining to the assessment of the proposed plan open for comment for the DOD
hazardous waste site dump site 00, Culebra, Puerto Rico.
Response: The official Administrative Record file is available at the Culebra Foundation Office.
For ease of access, USACE also posted documents on the project website. The documents that
form the basis of the preferred alternative are listed in the Proposed Plan’s “reference” section
and are in the Information Repository and posted on the project website.

3. Can you please post online documentation that shows date the meeting announcement for
the Culebra meeting on the 27th, appeared in print in the El Nuevo Dia? (Please make a note
again that Culebra is an environmental justice community, that does not necessarily receive the
major periodicals on a daily basis as the federal registry may assume.)
Response: The notice was in the April 13, 2023, edition of El Nuevo Dia. While we are required
to post a notice in a newspaper of general circulation, we do not rely on the newspaper as the
only means of communicating with the community. USACE also mailed a postcard and letter to
all the post office box holders, posted the meeting information on Facebook, and shared it with
the municipality and requested they post it on their social media accounts. A copy of the
newspaper notice can be found at:
https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/23721

4. Is there a Spanish translation of the "Proposed Plan" posted for public review? (Please
make a note again that Culebra is an environmental justice community whose first language is
Spanish.)
Response: Currently, there is not a Spanish translation of the Proposed Plan.

5. It is not clear from the verbiage I have read so far, that the Army Corps confirmed the
contamination found at site 00 hazardous waste dump has been attributed to DOD activities. Is
that conclusion final and firm?
Response: Please read the Proposed Plan and Remedial Investigation report where attribution
is documented.

6. This is to confirm that the document posted online titled: "The Remedial Investigation
Report - Lower Camp Debris Site - Project Area 99-2023" is the same document the Proposed
Plan refers to as "Remedial Investigation Report (HGL 2022)? (Please make a note that
documents are easier to find if their reference in the documents corresponds to the title link in the
documents depository.)
Response: There was a typographical error in the Proposed Plan’s reference section. The
correct citation is as follows. “HGL, 2023. Final Remedial Investigation Report, Lower Camp
Debris Site, Former U.S. Navy Headquarters/ Maintenance Area, Culebra, Puerto Rico.
February.” USACE has revised the Proposed Plan’s reference section accordingly.

7. The last document entitled Remedial Investigation Report does not name a contractor.
We suspect it must be HydroGeoLogic based on the (HGL 2022) reference in the proposed plan
document. Can you please confirm the contractor's name and please provide and post online a
copy of the original signed report from the contractor, along with hard copy data we assume they
submitted to US ACE and DRNA for review? (specifically, we are looking for the certifications
associated with laboratory analysis)
Response: Please see the response to Question 6. The official Administrative Record file is
available at the Culebra Foundation Office; the laboratory analysis and all other appendices are
available there. They are also posted at the project website:
https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/23685

8. A member of the community asked us for the names of the US ACE and/or contractor
personnel present at the Culebra meeting on the 27th, can you please provide this?
Response: A copy of the meeting sign in sheet is attached.

9. Specific to Mr. Baba Peebles - will the DRNA take into account the public comments
submitted? I ask because the proposed plan indicates DRNA has already approved the No Action
alternative. Is there a document from DRNA that discusses this decision you can provide or post
online or is this made after and considering public participation?
Response: This question appears to be directed to PRDNER, and USACE cannot comment for
them. USACE will consider public comments in making the alternative determination in the
Record of Decision. The Record of Decision includes a Responsiveness Summary which will
address the comments USACE receives during the public comment period.

10. Was an ecological study performed for this site? If so can you please post online and
share at this time.
Response: USACE completed both human health and ecological risk assessments for the Lower
Camp Debris Site. Please see the Remedial Investigation Report for more information.

11. Was a feasibility study performed for this site? If so can you please post online and share
at this time.
Response: As there is no unacceptable risks to human health or the environment, a Feasibility
Study was not required and therefore not prepared.

12. At any time after 00 was designated as a hazardous waste site, was the community
interviewed regarding historical DOD activities, impacts, or practices in and around the dump or
even the Lower Camp area in general? If so can you please provide a list of documents that
reference these interviews?
Response: USACE has conducted numerous interviews and coordinated with local officials and
residents and all applicable data is reflected in the Remedial Investigation Report.