Environmental Restoration at the Former Fort Ord (1998-1999)

Fort Ord sits in the heart of the Monterey Peninsula. For decades, the sprawling 29,000-acre Army base was a focus of the region’s attention, serving as a national infantry-training site and pumping millions into the local economy. Today, almost a decade after the base was shut down, the installation still attracts significant attention. Neighboring communities are eager to see the land re-used for non-military purposes. Environmental advocates, local officials, nearby residents and others are focused on the clean-up of the base, designated a Superfund site in 1990. In 1994, the Department of Defense established a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) composed of local officials, members of the public, the Army, EPA and the state to help shape the clean-up of the former Fort Ord. Almost immediately, the members of the RAB had difficulty working together and reaching agreement on clean-up issues regarding the site.

As a result, in the summer of 1998, the EPA asked CONCUR to evaluate the situation and devise strategies for developing a more productive, collaborative effort. In response to the EPA’s request, CONCUR provided strategic guidance and facilitation services on the project from July 1998 to June 1999. CONCUR’s work centered on: 1) preparing an extensive issue audit that detailed key findings and overarching recommendations related to the RAB’s mission, membership, procedures and information sharing; 2) convening a series of facilitated meetings with the RAB to engage CONCUR’s recommendations and findings; and, 3) providing strategic planning advice to the EPA on designing effective public participation processes. A PDF of the full document can be downloaded and viewed by clicking here.