Installation Restoration


The Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP), established in 1984, is the comprehensive Department of Defense (DoD) program to identify and remediate past hazardous waste or contaminated sites at its installations and formerly occupied properties. The Installation Restoration Program (IRP) is the major element of the DERP and is the program through which DoD installations meet the requirements of these laws:

The IRP is funded by a special appropriation called the Defense Environmental Restoration Account (DERA). The IRP differs from the other environmental compliance programs in that it focuses on past operations, generally prior to 1980. 

DPW-ENRD manages Fort Novosel's IRP. Fort Novosel partners on its IRP issues regularly with the Corps of Engineers, investigative and remediation contractors, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), and the EPA. An Installation Action Plan (IAP) is reviewed and updated annually to reflect the site and issues which require attention. Fort Novosel's Restoration/Clean-Up Program operates in accordance with an ADEM issued RCRA Hazardous Waste Corrective Action Permit. Fort Novosel currently has 12 sites that are undergoing investigation, remediation or long-term monitoring.

Under the RCRA regulations, all investigative, assessment, and cleanup activities consist of these basic steps:

If investigation shows that significant contamination is present, a site may be placed on the National Priorities List (NPL). This is a docket in which both private and federal sites are prioritized for cleanup funding based on a release or the potential for release of contaminants. No Fort Novosel sites are on the NPL. 

AR 200-1 requires that Army Installations establish an Administrative Record File in order to provide public access to information about clean-up activities at the installation. An Administrative Record File contains documents that support the clean-up remedy that was chosen for each site and other applicable information. The Administrative Record File is located in building 1121.