Background
The Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) was initiated in 1974 to identify, investigate and clean up or control sites through the United States contaminated as a result of the nation’s early atomic weapons and energy programs. Activities were performed by the Manhattan Engineer District or under the Atomic Energy Commission, prior to the Department of Energy being formed.
FUSRAP focuses on protecting human health, public safety and the environment at these sites, contaminated with low-level radioactive materials, throughout the investigation and cleanup phases. Although FUSRAP sites may contain radioactivity levels above current regulatory guidelines, none of the sites pose an immediate health risk to the public or environment given current land uses.
In October 1997, Congress transferred management of FUSRAP to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps continues the cleanups the Department of Energy began and also cleans up additional sites identified by Congress or referred for evaluation as potentially eligible for the program by the Department of Energy. The Corps conducts its work in accordance with federal laws, following the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan. Cleanup activities are coordinated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and/or state regulators. The Corps is committed to informing and involving the public as it progresses through the decision-making process for each site.
Program Status
As of April 2021, there are 21 active Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) sites located across eight states. These sites do not pose an immediate threat to human health or the environment. At these sites, remedial action is planned, under way or pending final closeout. Additionally, in total, 10 sites have been transferred back to the Department of Energy’s Office of Legacy Management for long-term stewardship.
Six U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) districts across three USACE divisions are currently working on these active projects: Buffalo and Pittsburgh districts from the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division; St. Louis District from the Mississippi Valley Division; and Baltimore, New York and Philadelphia districts from the North Atlantic Division. The USACE Environmental and Munitions Center of Expertise and the Kansas City District also provide technical assistance.
Since USACE began administering FUSRAP, program funding has ranged from $99.9 million to $225 million a year. The FUSRAP appropriation for fiscal 2020 was $250 million. Progress and the schedule for each site is dependent on USACE prioritization among all active FUSRAP sites considering the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act phase they are in and the availability of FUSRAP funds nationally. An active FUSRAP site is any eligible FUSRAP site which is undergoing or is programmed and is funded to undergo response actions by USACE under CERCLA. Read more about these projects in the annual stakeholder report, located here.