Posted 4/20/2006                  Printable Fact Sheet 

The Department of Defense established the Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) in 1975 to provide guidance and funding for the investigation and remediation of hazardous waste sites caused by historical disposal activities at military installations. The fundamental goal of the Travis Air Force Base restoration program is to protect human health and the environment. The Air Force accomplishes this by eliminating or reducing to prescribed, safe levels any potential risks caused by the Air Force's past operations. 

The ERP is carried out in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. The primary federal laws are CERCLA, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liabilities Act and SARA, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. CERCLA was passed in 1980 and required the cleanup, or remediation, of hazardous waste created by historic disposal practices. Congress gave the EPA responsibility for overseeing compliance with this law. Travis AFB falls under CERCLA because, in 1989, it was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL). This is the EPA's list of hazardous waste sites, which are priorities for remediation. RCRA, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act also guides the ERP's activities. The Environmental Restoration Program investigates and, if necessary, cleans up former disposal and test areas, some of which were used before the disposal of chemicals was regulated or even fully understood. 

In 1989, Travis AFB signed a Federal Facility Agreement. This document establishes the role that Travis AFB, the EPA, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) each play in the restoration of Travis AFB and the formal mechanisms of this process. The ERP staff works closely with the EPA, the DTSC and the RWQCB to ensure that the cleanup process is conducted properly and efficiently. The staff also receives input from the community through the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) and other public forums. 

In 2013, the responsibilities for managing the ERP were shifted from Environmental Restoration Branch of the Environmental Management Office to the Travis Installation Support Team of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center. Three types of cleanup are possible: removal actions, interim remedial actions, and remedial actions. These are performed based on the risks associated with human health and the environment as determined by risk assessments. Risks are determined using a comprehensive sampling program. To facilitate the cleanup process the sites are grouped into operable units. The sites within each operable unit share common characteristics. 


For more information contact the Travis AFB Environmental Coordinator at: 
Phone: (707) 424-3739 
E-Mail: enviropa@us.af.mil