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Vernon Hills, IL - U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park),
joined by RADM-Ann Rondeau, the commander of Naval Training
Center Great Lakes, announced today during a visit to the former
Nike missile base in Vernon Hills, that the U.S. Navy has committed
$3.5 million to fund environmental clean up efforts at the
site. The funds will be used to decontaminate missile silos
found to contain asbestos and petroleum-based substances, limited
soil removal, and extensive testing for the presence of trichloroethylene
(TCE), a solvent used for cleaning metal parts.
“I am very pleased that Secretary of the Navy Gordon
England has approved the funds needed to remediate this former
missile base,” said Congressman Kirk. “I applaud
the Navy’s commitment to clean up this site so that the
land can be used for proposed athletic fields and to create
open space in our community.”
Congressman Kirk met with Secretary England in late December
to discuss funding the clean up of this site in an expedient
manner which would allow the efforts currently underway to
develop the land for proposed ball fields and village parks
to continue. Kirk, who was made aware of the contamination
in late June of last year, also inserted language in the 2002
National Defense Authorization Act.
Kirk, a member of the House Armed Services Committee inserted
the following language in the FYO2 Defense Authorization Act:
Vernon Hills Nike Missile Site
“The committee is concerned with reports of toxic contamination
at a former Nike missile battery site located in Vernon Hills,
Illinois. The committee understands that the Department of
the Navy is transferring ownership of the land to the Village
of Vernon Hills where the land will be used to provide recreation
and athletic facilities, a veterans’ memorial, and a
storm water retention area. The committee recommends that the
Secretary of the Navy review the current land transfer plan
and ensure that remediation is completed in accordance with
all applicable federal and state laws.”
Congressman Kirk and RADM Rondeau were taken on a tour of
the site, examining the missile silos and other areas of concern.
The Navy agreed to transfer 164- acres to the Village of Vernon
Hills last year. The environmental contamination is confined
to just five acres. The 164-acre site has been divided between
the Village of Vernon Hills, Stevenson High School District
125, Lincolnshire-Prairie View Elementary School District 103,
and Vernon Hills High School District 128. The land transfer
will not become final until the environmental contamination
has been remediated.
“As the war on terrorism continues the size of our military
will continue to grow,” said Congressman Kirk. “This
action shows that the Navy will be a good environmental neighbor.” |
