DAYTON -- U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District is moving ahead with the investigation of four locations in the Dayton area to determine whether they will be included in the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). The four locations: Dayton Unit I, 1515 Nicholas Road; Dayton Warehouse, 601 East Third Street; Dayton Unit III (Bonebrake Theological Seminary), 1601 West First Street in Dayton, Ohio; and Dayton Unit IV (Runnymede Playhouse), northwest of the intersection of Runnymede and Dixon Avenue in Oakwood, Ohio, were determined potentially eligible for FUSRAP by the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE).

FUSRAP was initiated to address sites used during the Nation's early atomic energy program with residual contamination exceeding current regulatory requirements. Under a Memorandum of Understanding between the DOE and the Corps, once the DOE makes the eligibility determination, responsibility for action is transferred to the Corps.

The Corps is mandated by Congress to follow the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Process for site cleanup. This process outlines the steps that must be taken to reach a final decision for each site and requires open involvement between the Corps, stakeholders and the community. The performance of a Preliminary Assessment, which includes a visit to the location and review of existing documentation, and a Site Inspection, which further identifies contaminants and the potential risks related to those contaminants, are the first steps in the CERCLA process.

Based on the review of existing information, the Corps has determined that there is no immediate health risk posed by Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)/Manhattan Engineer District (MED) related contaminants at any of the four Dayton locations.

Combined Preliminary Assessment/Site Inspections are being performed for Dayton Unit I and the Dayton Warehouse. A determination as to the need for further evaluation is anticipated by Summer 2002. Dayton Unit I was used by the AEC for research, chemical, and quality control purposes. The AEC and MED used the Dayton Warehouse for research and development. Usage of both of these facilities ended in the late 1940s.

The Preliminary Assessments performed by the Corps in 2000 for Bonebrake Theological Seminary and Runnymede Playhouse recommend further evaluation under Site Inspections. These Site Inspections will include further testing to determine the type, quantity, and extent of contaminants related to MED activities and to further evaluate the potential risk to human health and the environment. The testing for both Bonebrake Theological Seminary and Runnymede Playhouse is scheduled to begin in Fall 2001. This testing will screen for Lead-210, the parent nuclide of Polonium-210, and determine the potential for exposure to that material from soil, air, ground water, and surface water pathways.

The Bonebrake Theological Seminary was used for research, development, processing and production of polonium, and storage of processing residues under a contract for the MED in 1943. From 1948 through 1950, the site was decontaminated and released for unrestricted use by AEC.

The MED used the Runnymede Playhouse for chemical and metallurgical processing of polonium in 1944. Federal activity ceased at the Runnymede Playhouse in 1948 and the site was decontaminated by the AEC in 1950.

The Corps is interested in interviewing anyone with information about activities at these sites during the 1940's. Interested citizens may also be added to site mailing by calling the Corps' toll free number at 1-800-833-6390. Letters may be addressed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, Attention: FUSRAP Information Center, 1776 Niagara Street, Buffalo, N.Y. 14207. E-mails may be addressed to fusrap@usace.army.mil. Additional information regarding FUSRAP and the Dayton locations can be found on the Buffalo District Web site at http://www.lrb.usace.army.mil/fusrap.