Final Public Involvement & Response Plan (PIRP)

his Public Involvement and Response Plan PIRP for Woodbridge Research Facility WRF presents a site-specific program to establish communication and information exchange among U.S. Army staff the Army Research Laboratory ARL, the U.S. Army Environmental Center USAEC various Federal, State of Virginia, Prince William County, Fairfax County, and community agencies and the public. Effective communication and timely information exchange is essential for maintaining community understanding and support for WRF and for implementing a successful PIRP. This plan includes methods for facilitating communication between the U.S. Army and local citizens, business people, elected officials, and leaders from the surrounding community and civic associations. PIRP activities will be handled under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act CERCLA, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act SARA of 1986, the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act Public Law 100-526. The facility, which is located in Prince William County, Virginia, has been selected for closure after over 40 years of operation. The ARL, with the support of AEC, is now beginning efforts to characterize the nature and extent of contamination created by past activities at the facility. Environmental problems discovered will be remediated under the Base Realignment and Closure BRAC Environmental Restoration Program. The purpose of the PIRP is to establish an effective community relations program that informs the community of the BRAC Environmental Restoration Program at the site, and provides for early and continuous community involvement in the cleanup process. The Army is committed to communicating and exchanging information with neighboring communities, State and local agencies, and the Environmental Protection Agency EPA.