Defense Cleanup: Efforts at Former Military Sites on Vieques and Culebra, Puerto Rico, Are Expected to Continue through 2032

The Department of Defense continues cleanup efforts of munitions and hazardous substances at former military sites in Vieques and Culebra, Puerto Rico. But substantial work remains. DOD estimates cleanup efforts will continue through FY 2032. The costs of prior work combined with DOD's reported estimates for planned cleanup on both islands and the surrounding waters totals nearly $800 million. DOD faces several challenges with cleanup, such as the islands' rugged topography, logistics, and safety concerns with handling unexploded munitions. DOD is using a variety of technologies, some innovative, to clean up the land and underwater sites.