FORA gets additional $6.8 million for Fort Ord munitions removal follow-up

An additional $6.8 million in federal grant funding has been awarded to the Fort Ord Reuse Authority for munitions removal reporting and long-term stewardship on the former military base, according to Congressman Jimmy Panetta.

The Environmental Services Cooperative Agreement (ESCA) grant amendment from the U.S. Army will fund administrative and regulatory oversight costs for two years, as well as Army post-transfer munitions obligations through 2028.

"FORA has been a national leader for successful base reuse," Panetta said, adding, "Under leadership by the FORA-ESCA team, the first phase of crucial munitions removal work was completed on schedule. This federal grant will not only allow for the continued monitoring, oversight, and response by the ESCA team, but give the public and community more access to land on the former Fort Ord."

FORA and the Army signed the initial Environmental Services Agreement aimed at removal of remnant munitions and explosives of concern at a cost of $100 million more than a decade ago.

FORA executive director Michael Houlemard said, "The ESCA grant amendment provides essential funds for regulatory oversight to ensure continued (munitions and explosives removal) review and FORA administrative costs to achieve project completion, relieves a significant vulnerability for local recovery programs, and provides appropriate reporting. We applaud Congressman Panetta's support and the FORA board for their confidence in staff through this process."

Army BRAC chief Tom Lederle said the additional grant funding will allow FORA to continue its cleanup and development efforts on Fort Ord for an additional 10 years, and called the environmental remediation effort "among the Army's best projects under an ESCA with the complex clean-up completed on time and on budget."