The next breakthrough in exploring the possible link between a confirmed military dump in South Patrick Shores and illnesses found in the area will involve information from the community and research by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a preliminary assessment report.
To that end, the Army Corps of Engineers heard from 70 residents during a 12-hour outreach event held at the Pelican Beach Clubhouse in Satellite Beach. The small venue featured displays, maps and a video of a PowerPoint presentation on the area in question – determined by photos showing a disturbed dump-like area – now designated the Naval Air Station Banana River Off-Base Disposal Area.
According to information provided by the Army Corps, the Navy acquired 1,823 acres of land between the Banana River and the Atlantic Ocean and began constructing a seaplane base in 1939 that became Naval Air Station Banana River. During World War II, the Navy utilized land south of the base for disposal activities. The Navy transferred the base to the Air Force in the summer of 1948, and on Aug. 1, 1950, it was renamed Patrick Air Force Base. The dump site remained active but with no records of a lease.
Health concerns brought forth in relatively the same area in the early 1990s were dismissed after it was determined materials found there did not pose a health risk. More importantly, no documents were found showing the Patrick Shores possible dump site.
That proof has now been found as a result of a special team of researchers in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, prompting the preliminary assessment. The report will determine what materials are present and the best way to remove them for cost estimates and eventual funding.
Karen Weber, attending the event with her mother Jean Weber, a Satellite Beach resident, was quite concerned about the issues, having chosen the area for being safe. Her main concern now is the long-term health of her mother and the possible impact of the dump-site designation on property values.
“I think it’s a responsible thing to do (for the Army Corps to have an outreach meeting), but in a state that’s so eco-sensitive right now they don’t have a choice. They need to be proactive because it’s going to come out sooner or later. We just want to know the truth,’’ Karen Weber said.
