TUPELO — The National Park Service on Friday released a report detailing environmental conditions and proposed cleanup options for the former Ridgeland Firing Range along the Natchez Trace Parkway, opening a 30-day public comment period.
The report, known as an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis, outlines possible contamination at the site and presents a recommended plan for addressing it. An accompanying administrative record file includes documents and data used to develop the report.
The firing range operated from 1984 to 2002 in Ridgeland. The National Park Service is addressing the site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, a federal law governing the cleanup of hazardous substances.
According to the agency, the report evaluates the nature and extent of contamination, potential risks to public health and the environment, and possible cleanup alternatives. The effort is being conducted as a non-time critical removal action, meaning officials have at least six months to plan before cleanup activities begin.
The public can review the report and administrative record online at parkplanning.nps.gov/RidgelandRange or in person at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center, 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway in Tupelo, during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
Comments will be accepted from April 3 through May 3 and can be submitted through the project website. Requests to extend the comment period by 15 days must be submitted before May 3 via email to [email protected].
All comments will become part of the public record. While commenters may request that personal identifying information be withheld, the National Park Service said it cannot guarantee confidentiality.
