Background: Official Guidance for Remediation
In 1989, the U.S. Army and Shell Oil Company entered into the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA) Federal Facility Agreement (FFA) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the U.S. Department of the Interior, Mountain Prairie Region (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service); and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. As part of the FFA, the Army and Shell will implement remedial actions that comply with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act with all applicable regulations, laws and agreements.

The FFA ultimately led to the signing of two Records of Decision (ROD). The Off-Post ROD, signed December 19, 1995, and the On-Post ROD, signed on June 11, 1996, provide the framework, purpose and overall rationale for all the remediation actions that must be accomplished at the site.

In accordance with the RMA National Wildlife Refuge Act of 1992 (Refuge Act), RMA will become one of the largest urban national wildlife refuges once remediation is complete. The Refuge Act, which allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) to manage the wildlife resources and public use on the Arsenal, also provides additional guidance for implementation of the remedy. The goals and the vision of the Service were released on June 17, 1996 in the Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) which outlines development of the Refuge including public use and wildlife management activities.

Remediation Venture Office
The Remediation Venture Office (RVO), formed in October 1996 to expedite the implementation of the remedy, is an innovative tri-party arrangement consisting of personnel from the Army, Shell and the Service. Members of the RVO work together to coordinate and provide oversight of the remediation management based on best value concepts, including, but not limited to, quality assurance, health and safety, regulatory compliance, fiscal monitoring and community involvement.

Managing the RVO
The Senior Management Group (SMG) was established to provide overall policy guidance, strategic overview and senior level leadership for the RVO and remediation of the Arsenal. The SMG consists of Charlie Scharmann, U.S. Army, Program Manager for Rocky Mountain Arsenal; Dean Rundle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Project Leader; and Roger Shakely, Shell Oil Company, Denver Site Project Manager. The Army Program Manager is the final decision-making authority of the SMG, consistent with the Army's role as lead agency and as chairperson of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Council under the FFA.

Impact on the RMA Community
By tapping into the abundant resources available through the RVO, the Arsenal will continue to develop and implement public involvement opportunities. Site tours, presentations, education programs, technical workshops and public meetings are designed to raise awareness levels about the relationship between remediation and the potential effects on wildlife values. Through public input and participation activities, the community and RMA can continue to progress towards the ultimate goal—a safe, timely and cost-effective remediation and transition of the RMA to a national wildlife refuge.

For more information about the RVO, RMA and public participation opportunities, please call 289-0136, or 289-0930 to inquire about site tours and education programs.