Kirtland is still cleaning up the jetfuel spill plume by the base that extends across Gibson by Louisiana – impacting real estate in that community.

History

Kirtland AFB's Bulk Fuels Facility is located in the north-western portion of the base. The facility and associated infrastructure operated from 1953 until 1999. During this time, the fueling area was separated into a tank holding area where bulk shipments of fuel were received and a fuel loading area where individual fuels trucks were filled. Kirtland AFB removed the facility from service in 1999 due to discovery of underground leakage. 

Even though the fuel leak was identified by Kirtland AFB, the exact history of the leaks or releases is unknown. Releases could have occurred when fuel was transferred from railcars to the pump house. Initially, it was thought that the leak only affected surface soil around the identified source area.

Kirtland AFB learned through additional investigations conducted between 2004 and 2007 that the leaked fuel had reached the groundwater table. 

Kirtland AFB installed the first soil vapor extraction unit in 2003 to begin treating soil contamination related to the fuel spill.

Soil remediation continued from 2004 to 2007. Due to fuel being detected on the water table in December 2007 off Kirtland AFB, three additional vapor extraction units were installed at various points above the fuel plume.

Site Progress

The ongoing investigation determined that the fuel contamination migrated north of Kirtland AFB.

In order to comply with New Mexico Environment Department-Hazardous Waste Bureau requirements, groundwater and soil vapor monitoring wells were installed both on and off base to better understand the extent of contamination and how far contamination has migrated from the original site.

Air Force priorities for the project in 2015 and beyond are:

1) protect drinking water supply wells;

2) collapse the EDB* plume;

3) remediate the LNAPL*;

4) soil vapor extraction (SVE) in the source area.

While the Air Force develops and executes a long-term strategy to achieve these goals, it is also pursuing interim measures to immediately address contamination.

Click here to download The Kirtland Fuel Spill Project's latest easy-to-read community update

Impact on real estate

Obviously, any time that there is an enviromental remediation project literally going on in your back yard, its going to impact property values. Like all possible hazards association with a property, it should be properly disclosed. Since the fuel spill location and impact is complicated – primarly due to the uncertaintly of how it impacting particulary properties in the spill plume zone – you should contact a real estate attorney when dealing with a house in that location.

If you have specific concerns about the impact on a specific property, contact Kitland's remediation senior program manager Kathryn Lynnes and 505-846-8707.

Click here to go to the remediation project's website to learn more and sign up for updates.

*Definitions:

EDB - Ethylene dibromide

LNAPL - Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid