UXO Site selected: CAMP SIEBERT, AL

General Area: Etowah, AL

Site Type/Program: RCWM sites (Non-stockpile)

Location: Camp sibert is a 37,000 37,000-acre installation located in northeast Alabama.

Brief History:

Camp Sibert was the first large-scale chemical agent training area in the United States and operated from 1942 to 1945.

Established in Alabama’s Etowah and St. Clair counties in 1942, was a replacement training center for the CWS. Training included such tasks as smoke screening, chemical decontamination, chemical depot maintenance, and chemical impregnation work. During exercises, fuming sulfuric acid (FS) (a solution of sulfur trioxide dissolved in chlorosulfonic acid) was dropped on troops from airplanes to simulate aerial mustard attacks.

Camp Sibert was equipped with a Field Filling Area (spray tanks with FS), a Toxic Gas Handling Area, a Toxic Gas Yard, and decontamination operations areas that supported decontamination training in which chemical agents were used. Training at Camp Sibert ended and the camp was closed in April 1945. In July 1947, the Technical Escort Detachment conducted a survey of Camp Sibert. Toxic gas areas were located and subsequently decontaminated in accordance with the standards of the time.



Range / Site Description:

Ranges within the impact area were used for the training and firing of CWM filled ordnance including an area known as Site 8 which is a 375-acre former CWM impact area.

There are two suspect CWM burial sites on Camp Siebert.

Area 2 - Two closely adjoining gravel-covered plots (approx 40 yards each) used to detonate mustard-filled land mines. Used as a chemical dump. Empty or filled drums were burned with chloride of lime.

Unknown - Barrels that once contained agent were recovered in burial pits in three training areas.



Associated Munitions: CWM ordnance - confirmed 4.2" mortars with phosgene.

Activities Completed:

Area 2 - Samples taken at 5 feet with no contamination. Excavation and clearance of site, June and July 1947. Some breakdown products likely.

1997 - USACE conducted an engineering evaluation/cost analysis (EE/CA) investigation for CWM and UXO at various sites within the former 37,000-acre training area. During the EE/CA, an unexploded 4.2-inch chemical mortar containing phosgene was encountered at Site 8, a 375-acre former toxic munitions impact area. The EE/CA was conducted over several phases up until 2005.

2004 - a Removal Action was initiated which resulting in the finding of 25 additional "liquid filled" mortar rounds which are suspected of containing CWM. The rounds were over packed and shipped for proper disposal. Over 26,000 lbs of munitions debris was also removed from the 18,000+ anomalies that were investigated.



Issues:

Other Information:

Reports Documents Relevant to CAMP SIEBERT, AL Available on UXOInfo.com:
Click on the title to view the document from UXOInfo.com's UXO Library
Document TitleDocument Date
Brief on RCWM From Camp Sibert
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