Access to the former guard shack and the ammunition bunkers is unrestricted.  The Guard Shack, which measures approximately 72 feet by 24 feet, is structurally unsound and in an advance state of deterioration.  Two concrete ammunition bunkers are situated adjacent to the building one on the north side and one on the south side.  Both measure 8’ by 8’ by 10’h and while structurally intact the roofs are in disrepair and shedding asbestos roofing material.    The guard shack and the concrete ammunition bunkers are located at the northwest corner of the firing range near the entry gate along Cougar Butte Road.   At both the guard shack and the bunkers, there is evidence of trespass and vandalism such as empty beer containers, broken windows and graffiti.

The North Ridge Estates (NRE) site is located approximately 3 miles north of the City of Klamath Falls in Klamath County, Oregon, on Old Fort Road and North Ridge Drive.  NRE is sited on the former location of the MRB and the Oregon Institute of Technology.  The latitude is 42.261577 and the longitude is -121.738178.  Vegetation in the area is sparse, with some scattered ponderosa pines and sagebrush.  Soil is volcanic and rocky in places.  The climate is relatively dry with an average rainfall of 13.2 inches.

The NRE has been divided into two Operable Units (OUs).  OU1 encompasses the footprint of the former MRB and includes all areas where ACM (asbestos containing material) and/or asbestos has been observed and/or detected, including the on-Site landfills.  OU2 encompasses the former Kingsley Firing Range Annex, which includes the guard shack and the concrete ammunition bunkers.

The current conditions at this Site meet the following factors which indicate that the Site is a threat to the public health or welfare or the environment and a removal action is appropriate under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), 40 C.F.R. § 300.415(b)(2).

A.        Actual or potential exposure to nearby human populations, animals, or the food chain from hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants  [300.415(b)(2)(i)] 

The elevated concentrations of chrysotile asbestos found in CAB and roofing material at the guard shack and the concrete ammunition bunkers roofs indicate that the potential for inhalation exposures exists.

Access to the guard shack and the ammunition bunkers is unrestricted.  The guard shack is structurally unsound and in an advance state of deterioration.  At both the guard shack and the bunkers, there is evidence of trespass and vandalism such as empty beer containers and graffiti.

There is not a known safe level or period of asbestos exposure.  Exposure to airborne friable asbestos may result in potential health risk because persons breathing the air may breathe in asbestos fibers.  Continued exposure can increase the amount of fibers that remain in the lungs.  Fibers embedded in lung tissue over time may cause lung diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma.

B.        Weather conditions that may cause hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants to migrate or to be released [300.415(b)(2)(v)]

CAB and roofing material are present at the guard shack and roofing material is present at the ammunition bunkers.  The accumulative effect of successive freeze-thaw temperature cycles can cause expansion, cracking, and crumbling of the CAB and roofing material, thus resulting in friable asbestos.  Wind, particularly in dry summer months, can lead to the migration of small asbestos fibers, and fiber-containing particles that may remain suspended in the air for a long time and be carried long distances by wind before settling.  Rainfall runoff may also result in transport of asbestos fibers.