Welcome

This site has been developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers as part of the community outreach effort associated with the Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP) project currently being conducted for the former Trabuco Bombing Range, Rancho Santa Margarita, California (Formerly Used Defense Site [FUDS] J09CA020900).

The Trabuco Bombing Range FUDS project area is located on land that was once a part of Rancho Trabuco and Rancho Santa Margarita y las Flores. From 1944 to 1956, portions of this area were used as a practice bombing range in association with Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. Significant residential and commercial development has taken place since the range was closed, and the area now lies within or adjacent to the cities of Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita, California, and O'Neill Regional Park.

Munitions and ordnance (including unexploded ordnance) resulting from military training exercises on the site remained on the property when the Range was closed. Through both military and civilian actions, a large number of ordnance items have been destroyed or removed from the site. However, it is possible that additional items remain on the site.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is responsible for environmental restoration of properties that were formerly owned by, leased to or otherwise possessed by the United States and under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Defense. Such properties are known as Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS). The Army is the executive agent for the program and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the organization that manages and directs the program's administration.

The USACE, Los Angeles District, currently is conducting a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) for munitions and explosives at the former Trabuco Bombing Range, consistent with the nationwide Military Munitions Response Program. The purpose of this RI/FS is to adequately characterize the site for the purpose of developing and evaluating effective remedial alternatives. Project activities include a geophysical prove-out, site investigation, technical project planning, establishment and management of a GIS system, and preparation of documents such as a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Work Plan, a Public Involvement Plan, and after-action reports and decision documents.

For the duration of project activities, this Web site (along with associated Web links and points of contact in the local community) will provide information about:

the military and civilian history of the project area
the review and remediation process for Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS)
current and future project activities at the former Trabuco Bombing Range site
opportunities for members of the community to provide their input to the project team and to participate in project-related events.

The information on this site includes a number of technical terms and acronyms. For ease of use, these items are defined/explained in a detailed Terminology & Abbreviations section.

If you find suspicious items that may be military ordnance/munitions, DO NOT TOUCH! Mark the area for identification and call 911 immediately!

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