Final

Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson

Colchester, Vermont

Perfluorooctane-Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic 

Acid (PFOA) Impacted Sites

ARNG Installations, Nationwide

April 2019 

Prepared for:

Army National Guard Headquarter

111 S. George Mason Drive

Arlington, VA 22204

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District

2 Hopkins Plaza

Baltimore, MD 21201

Prepared by:

AECOM

12420 Milestone Center Drive, Suite 150

Germantown, MD 20876

aecom.com

Contract Number: W912DR-12-D-0014

Delivery Order: W912DR17F0192
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PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

i

Table of Contents

Executive Summary....................................................................................................1 

Introduction........................................................................................................................5

1.1 Authority and Purpose ..............................................................................................5

1.2 Preliminary Assessment Methods .............................................................................6

1.3 Report Organization..................................................................................................6

1.4 Facility Location and Description...............................................................................7

1.5 Facility Environmental Setting...................................................................................8

1.5.1 Geology .........................................................................................................8

1.5.2 Hydrogeology................................................................................................. 9

1.5.3 Hydrology.....................................................................................................11

1.5.4 Current and Future Land Use.......................................................................12

1.5.4 Climate.........................................................................................................12

Fire Training Areas...........................................................................................................17

Non-Fire Training Areas ...................................................................................................19

Former Wood Dump Station ...................................................................................19

Building 2908 - Former Hangar...............................................................................19

Former Ethan Allen Army Airfield.............................................................................20

Pond Near Champlain Cable Corporation...............................................................20

Waste Water Treatment Plant .................................................................................21

Landfills ..................................................................................................................21

Emergency Response Areas............................................................................................23

Adjacent Sources.............................................................................................................24

Champlain Cable Corporation.................................................................................24

Burlington Air National Guard Base.........................................................................24

Fort Ethan Allen Historic District..............................................................................25

Conceptual Site Model.....................................................................................................29

Pond Near CCC......................................................................................................29

Conclusions .....................................................................................................................33

Findings..................................................................................................................33

Uncertainties...........................................................................................................33

Potential Future Actions ..........................................................................................34

References ......................................................................................................................37

Appendix A Data Resources......................................................................................................40

Appendix B Preliminary Assessment Documentation ................................................................41

Appendix B.1 Interview Records ..............................................................................................42

Appendix B.2 Visual Site Inspection Checklists........................................................................43

Appendix B.3 Conceptual Site Model Information ....................................................................44

Appendix C Photographic Log...................................................................................................45
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

ii

Figures

Figure ES-1 Summary of Findings

Figure ES-2 Conceptual Site Model, Camp Johnson

Figure 1-1 Facility Location

Figure 1-2 Groundwater Features

Figure 1-3 Surface Water Features

Figure 3-1 Non-Fire Training Areas

Figure 5-1 Adjacent Sources, CCC and FEA

Figure 5-2 Adjacent Sources, Burlington ANG Base

Figure 6-1 Potential PFAS Release at CCC

Figure 6-2 Conceptual Site Model, Pond Near CCC

Figure 7-1 Summary of Findings

Figure 7-2 Conceptual Site Model, Camp Johnson

Appendices

Appendix A Data Resources

Appendix B Preliminary Assessment Documentation

B.1 Interview Records

B.2 Visual Site Inspection Checklists

B.3 Conceptual Site Model Information

Appendix C Photographic Log
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

iii

Acronyms and Abbreviations

AECOM AECOM Technical Services, Inc.

AFFF aqueous film forming foam

amsl above mean sea level

AOI Area of Interest

ARNG Army National Guard

CCC Champlain Cable Corporation

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and LiabilityAct

CJ Camp Johnson

CJCA Camp Johnson Cantonment Area

CJTA Camp Johnson Training Area

CSM conceptual site model

CWD Champlain Water District

EDR Environmental Data Resources, Inc.

F Fahrenheit

FEA Fort Ethan Allen

FTA Fire Training Areas

IED Installations & Environment Division

N north

PA Preliminary Assessment

PFAS per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances

PFOA perfluorooctanoic acid

PFOS perfluorooctanesulfonic acid

ppt parts per trillion

SI Site Inspection

US United States

USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers

USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency

UST underground storage tank

VSI visual site inspection

VTARNG Vermont Army National Guard

W West

WWTP Waste water treatment plant
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PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

1

Executive Summary

The United States (US) Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Baltimore District on behalf of the 

Army National Guard (ARNG)-Installations & Environment Division (IED), Cleanup Branch 

contracted AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) to perform Preliminary Assessments (PAs) 

and Site Inspections (SIs) for Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid 

(PFOA) Impacted Sites at ARNG Facilities Nationwide. The ARNG is assessing potential effects

on human health related to processes at facilities that used per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances

(PFAS), primarily in the form of aqueous film forming foam released as part of firefighting activities, 

although other PFAS sources are possible. 

AECOM completed a PA for PFAS at the Vermont Army National Guard (VTARNG) Camp 

Johnson (CJ) in Colchester, Vermont, to assess potential PFAS release areas and exposure 

pathways to receptors. The performance of this PA included the following tasks: 

• Reviewed data resources to obtain information relevant to suspected PFAS releases

• Conducted a 1-day PA site visit on 15 May 2018

• Interviewed current and former CJ personnel during the PA site visit including two

Environmental Managers, a Facilities Management Officer, a Fire Department Chief

• Completed visual site inspections at known or suspected PFAS release locations and

documented with photographs

• Developed a conceptual site model (CSM) to outline the potential release and pathway of

PFAS for the Areas of Interest (AOIs) and the facility

Based on the documented absence (1988-present) of the use or release of PFAS-containing 

materials at CJ, no AOIs were identified during the PA. Evidence does not indicate that current or 

former ARNG activities contributed PFAS contamination to soil, groundwater, surface water, or 

sediment at the facility or adjacent areas. CJ will not move forward in the CERCLA process.

However, off-facility PFAS releases were confirmed at the adjacent Champlain Cable Corporation 

(CCC) property. The CCC manufactures wire and cable coatings. These manufacturing processes

have been found to use PFAS. Between 1966 and 1977, CCC liquid wastes were poured onto

the ground along the roadway to the east of the CCC property and in an area to the northeast of

the facility. PFAS was detected in groundwater at the CCC property and in surface water in a

small pond at CJ, adjacent to the CCC property. The CCC property adjacent source and affected

surface waters on CJ are shown on Figure ES-1.

Given the PFAS-laden waste releases by the CCC, it is presumed that PFAS is migrating to CJ in 

surface water and possibly groundwater. Thus, there is potential for CJ site and construction 

worker exposure to PFAS contamination in surface and subsurface soils, and recreational 

user/trespasser exposure to PFAS contamination in surface soil. There is also potential for 

exposure to PFAS contamination in surface water via the small pond at CJ to site and construction 

workers, and recreational users/trespassers via ingestion. Although groundwater is not used for 

drinking water at CJ, groundwater may be used off-facility by residents for drinking water. As such, 

off-facility residents may be exposed to PFAS contamination in groundwater via ingestion. The 

CSM for CJ is shown on Figure ES-2. 
Pond Near CCC

(associated with

CCC PFAS releases)

Champlain

Cable

Corporation

Legend

Data taken from ATC Group Services, LLC 

October 23, 2018 Long Term Monitoring Report

for Champlain Cable Corporation Facility

J = estimated value below reporting limit, 

but greater than or equal to method detection limit

ppt = parts per trillion

Historic Surface Water Sample

Potential PFAS Release

Facility Boundary

Water Body

Wetland

River/Stream

0 300 600 1,200

Feet

CLIENT

REVISED

SCALE

ARNG

GIS BY

CHK BY

MS

JW

3/19/2019

3/19/2019

NOTES Preliminary Assessment for PFAS at TS Camp Johnson, VT

3/19/2019

1:6,000 ­ Figure ES-1 PM RG 3/19/2019

Q:\Projects\ENV\GEARS\GEO\ARNG PFAS\900-CAD-GIS\920-GIS or Graphics\MXD\VT\TS_Camp_Johnson\Fig_ES-1_TS-Camp_Johnson_Summary.mxd

12420 Milestone Center Drive

Germantown, MD 20876

Summary of Findings

Base Map: Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS,

Intermap, increment P Corp., NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI,

Analyte Result (ppt)

PFOA 11

PFOS 3.3

PFNA 0.83 J

PFHxS 2.3

PFHpA 1.9

Total 19.33 ppt

Surface Water Sample SW-15

2
Media

SOURCE PATHWAY RECEPTOR

PFAS-laden

waste

released near 

pond on CJ

PFAS in

Surface

Water and

Surface Soil

Human

Activities

Precipitation/

Run-Off

Leaching/

Infiltration

Airborne Soil

Particulate

Surface Soil

Surface

Water/

Sediment

Subsurface

Soil

Shallow

Groundwater

Source Release

Mechanism Media Transportand Migration Media ExposureRoutes

Inhalation of

Dust

Ingestion

Ingestion

Ingestion

Ingestion

Human Receptors:

Current/ Future

Flow-Chart Continues

Partial / Possible Flow

Incomplete Pathway

Potentially Complete Pathway

Complete Pathway

Site

Worker

Construction

Worker Resident

Site

Worker

Construction

Worker Resident

/ / / /

/ / / /

LEGEND

/ / / /

/ / / /

/ / / /

Figure ES-2

Conceptual Site Model

Camp Johnson

CCC Facility

(Not under

Control of

ARNG)

Trespasser/

Recreational User

Trespasser/

Recreational User

3
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

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PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

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Introduction

1.1 Authority and Purpose

The United States (US) Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Baltimore District on behalf of the 

Army National Guard (ARNG)-Installations & Environment Division (IED), Cleanup Branch 

contracted AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) to perform Preliminary Assessments (PAs) 

and Site Inspections (SIs) for Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid 

(PFOA) Impacted Sites at ARNG Facilities Nationwide under Contract Number W912DR-12-D0014, Task Order W912DR17F0192, issued 11 August 2017. The ARNG is assessing potential 

effects on human health related to processes at their facilities that used per- and poly-fluoroalkyl 

substances (PFAS), primarily releases of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) although other 

sources of PFAS are possible. In addition, the ARNG is assessing businesses or operations 

adjacent to the ARNG facility (not under the control of ARNG) that could potentially be responsible 

for a PFAS release. 

PFAS are classified as emerging environmental contaminants that are receiving increasing 

regulatory interest due to their potential risks to human health and the environment. The regulatory 

framework at both federal and state levels continues to evolve. The US Environmental Protection 

Agency (USEPA) issued Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS in May 2016, but 

there are currently no promulgated national standards regulating PFAS in drinking water. In the 

absence of federal maximum contaminant levels, some states have adopted their own drinking 

water standards for PFAS. The Vermont Department of Health has derived a Drinking Water 

Health Advisory of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) applicable to the sum of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic 

acid), PFOS (perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid), PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid), PFHpA 

(perfluoroheptanoic acid) and PFNA (perfluorononanoic acid) (Vermont Department of Health, 

2018; VANR, 2018).

As a result of this Health Advisory and several known PFAS exposures, the Agency of Natural 

Resources adopted two emergency rules to regulate these substances. The Investigation and 

Remediation of Contaminated Properties Rule was amended to list these PFAS as hazardous 

materials and the Groundwater Protection Rule and Strategy was amended to adopt an 

enforcement standard of 20 ppt for these substances. Like the standard for PFOA and PFOS, the 

20 ppt enforcement standard also applies to the sum of these substances (Vermont Agency of 

Natural Resources, 2018).

This report presents the findings of a PA for PFAS at Vermont Army National Guard (VTARNG) 

Camp Johnson (CJ) in Colchester, Vermont in accordance with the Comprehensive 

Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended, the National 

Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 

300), and USACE requirements and guidance. 

This PA documents locations at CJ where PFAS may have been released to the environment. 

The term PFAS will be used throughout this report to encompass all PFAS chemicals being 

evaluated, including PFOS and PFOA, which are key components AFFF.
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

6

1.2 Preliminary Assessment Methods

The performance of this PA included the following tasks: 

• Reviewed data resources to obtain information relevant to suspected PFAS releases

• Conducted a 1-day PA site visit on 15 May 2018

• Interviewed current CJ personnel during the PA site visit including two Environmental

Managers, a Facilities Management Officer, a Fire Department Chief

• Completed visual site inspections (VSIs) at known or suspected PFAS release locations and

documented with photographs

• If areas of interest (AOIs) were identified, developed a conceptual site model (CSM) to outline

the potential release and pathway of PFAS for each AOI

1.3 Report Organization

This report has been prepared in accordance with the USEPA Guidance for Performing 

Preliminary Assessments under CERCLA (USEPA, 1991). The report sections and descriptions 

of each are:

• Section 1 – Introduction identifies the project purpose and authority and methods used to

complete the PA

• Section 2 – Site Description describes the location, description, background and current

and future land use of the facility

• Section 3 – Environmental Setting describes the climate, hydrology, geology and

hydrogeology at and surrounding the facility

• Section 4 – Fire Training Areas describes locations at the facility where AFFF releases

related to fire training were documented or otherwise identified

• Section 5 – Non-Fire Training Areas describes locations at the facility where AFFF releases

not related to fire training were documented or otherwise identified

• Section 6 – Emergency Response Areas describes emergency or crash sites at the facility

where AFFF releases were documented or otherwise identified

• Section 7 – Adjacent Sources describes potential offsite PFAS sources adjacent to the

facility that are not under the control of ARNG

• Section 8 – Conceptual Site Model describes the Source-Pathway-Receptor linkages of

PFAS at each AOI

• Section 9 – Conclusions summarizes the findings and presents the conclusions of the PA

• Section 10 – References provides the references used to develop this document

• Appendix A – Data Resources

• Appendix B – Preliminary Assessment Documentation

• Appendix C – Photographic Log
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

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1.4 Facility Location and Description

CJ, the headquarters of the VTARNG, is in western Chittenden County, Vermont, within the 

southern corner of the City of Colchester, approximately four miles northeast of the City of 

Burlington and the waters of Lake Champlain, and approximately three miles north of Burlington 

International Airport (Figure 1-1). 

CJ is bound to the north by mostly undeveloped land and some residential developments, to the 

south by State Route 15, residential developments, and Saint Michael’s College; to the east by 

State Route 15, commercial and industrial properties, and residential developments; and to the 

west by Interstate 89, US Route 2, commercial and industrial properties, and Gilbrook Nature 

Area. The communities of South Burlington, Winooski, and Essex are situated to the south, east, 

and west of CJ, respectively. 

CJ is divided into CJ Cantonment Area (CJCA) and CJ Training Area (CJTA). The largely 

developed CJCA is about 60 acres of near-level terrain and occupied by buildings and roads. The 

remaining 600 acres makes up the CJTA containing an airfield (used between the 1920s and 

1960) and forested lands. The reference point and surface elevation at the geographic center of 

the camp is 44° 31' 18" and 44° 29' 56" North (N) latitude and 73° 10' 18" and 73° 09' 01" West 

(W) longitude at 315.8 feet above mean sea level (amsl), respectively. The southern and western

portions of CJ are fenced. Vehicle traffic enters the facility through the main gate on State Highway

15 to the south, or the back gate near US Route 2 to the west. Access to the property is limited to

authorized personnel and is guarded at all hours.

The original land occupied by CJ (600 acres) was purchased by residents and donated to the 

Army on 5 August 1892. The military post was officially named Fort Ethan Allen (FEA). By the end 

of 1895, FEA was fully functional with 247 soldiers (Buechler, 1967). In 1896 VTARNG purchased 

and converted a 50-acre campground adjacent to FEAinto a state reservation that gave the troops 

a permanent location for annual training (Haraty, et al. 1979). After World War I, a permanent 

water system, a sewage system, latrine and shower buildings, 16 kitchen/mess buildings and a

fence around the facility were constructed at the state reservation. A concurrent camp was also

constructed just outside the state reservation in the 1930s (UVM, 2001). FEA was declared 

inactive in 1944. The facility served as a storage depot for searchlights, generators, and other 

equipment for the next five years (VTSHPO, 1988, rev. 1995).

The state reservation was named Camp Johnson in 1945, and in the 1950s the VTARNG

established its headquarters at Camp Johnson. Facilities were improved, and new buildings were 

built to accommodate the camp’s new role. By 1951, CJ covered 90 acres (VTSHPO, 1988, rev. 

1995; UVM, 2001).

In 1949, FEA was transferred to the Air Force and re-named the Ethan Allen Air Force Base. The 

Air Force de-activated the base in 1960 and 787 acres reverted to the Army. Much of this land 

was eventually annexed to the VTARNG and incorporated into CJ. Helicopter training still occurs 

at the airfield, but no airplane activity occurs and no airstrip is present. The rest of the base, 

including 170 buildings, was designated as surplus and turned over to the General Services 

Administration for disposal (VTSHPO, 1988, rev. 1995; Isham, 1978; Arcuti, 1999).

Historically, FEA and CJ are distinct. The fort played a major role in Vermont as a federal military 

installation that housed regular Army and Air Force troops. CJ exists where it does today as a 

result of the establishment of FEA. Members of the VTARNG still use the facility for annual training 

and call-ups in times of conflict and emergency. Over the years, CJ has expanded in physical and 

organizational substance. The facility’s acreage has increased more than ten-fold and has risen 

to the role of state headquarters. 
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

8

1.5 Facility Environmental Setting

CJ is in northwestern Vermont, on a sandy outwash plain between the Green Mountains and Lake 

Champlain. Situated within the southern corner of the City of Colchester, CJ covers about 660 

acres of the City’s land surface. 

The most prominent feature of CJ is the training area occupying approximately 600 acres of 

forested lands and ponds. The remaining 60 acres is the cantonment, with a variety of buildings 

and some areas leased to other entities. Fifteen acres are leased to Saint Michael’s College for 

a recreational field/buffer zone south of the CJCA. Other structures include a racetrack, drill field, 

and rifle butt (Historic Preservation Plan, 2004).

The surface topography of CJ is generally flat, with an average elevation of 315 feet amsl.

Drainage from the north of the property generally slopes north to a series of swales that lead to 

the Sunderland Brook. Drainage from the main facilities slopes south to the Winooski River. The 

regional area is considered to have a gently rolling topography.

1.5.1 Geology

Northwestern Vermont is dominated by late Precambrian through early Paleozoic rocks 

metamorphosed by at least three mountain-building events. The resulting folds and faults yield a 

north-south trending structural fabric that strongly influences all drainage basins and mountains. 

CJ is situated within the Vermont Lowlands and the Champlain Valley, the northernmost unit of 

the greater landform system known as the Great Appalachian Valley. The region is characterized

as a rolling topography of hills and valleys that broadly stretches eastward from the Lake 

Champlain’s shore to the base of the Green Mountains. The Vermont Lowlands are primarily 

underlain by sedimentary rocks, mostly shale and limestone, though metamorphic rocks such as 

marble and slate are also present. Vermont soils are dominated by glacial till (the material 

deposited beneath the ice sheet) interspersed with appearances of lacustrine, outwash, alluvium, 

and organic deposits (Ansley, 2000).

CJ is underlain by the lower Cambrian Winooski Formation, middle Cambrian Danby, the upper 

Cambrian Clarendon Springs Formation, and the Ordovician Shelburne Formation (Figure 1-2). 

The Winooski Formation consists of weathered pink, buff, and gray dolomite with beds 1 inch to 

1 foot thick separated by thin siliceous layers. The Danby formation is comprised of interbedded 

quartzite and dolomite with massively bedded Potsdam quartzite in western Vermont. The 

Clarendon Springs Formation is composed of weathered gray dolomite characterized by 

numerous geodes and knots of white quartz. The Shelburne Formation is composed primarily of 

marble or gray limestone characterized by raised lines of gray dolomite on the weathered surface 

(Chapman, 1937; Frazier and Schwimer, 1987; Vermont Geological Survey, 1961, 1964, 1974).

During the Pleistocene, the region was repeatedly covered by advancing and retreating glaciers, 

the last being the Laurentide Ice Sheet. The last retreat created the Lake Champlain Basin. As 

the shoreline receded, an extensive sequence of beaches and river deltas were deposited 

(Wright, 2009). CJ is situated on an upper marine delta deposited by the paleo-Winooski River. 

This glaciolacustrine delta formed the large plateau, currently 200 feet above Lake Champlain, 

upon which CJ is sited. This ancient Winooski River delta is composed of well- to poorly-sorted 

sand sequences with scarce gravel stringers. These sequences thicken from approximately 30 

feet near the southeast corner of CJ to approximately 100 feet where Sunderland Brook intersects 

US 2/7 near the northwest corner of the CJ (Chapman, 1937; Fischer, 1980).
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

9

Numerous soil types are present on CJ. Soils on CJ are mostly sandy loams and loamy sands of 

the Adams, Windsor, Duane, Deerfield, Hartland, Agawam, and Au Gres types. Some soils have 

already received impacts in the form of cutting and filling activities while some are overlain by 

pavement or support facilities.

Adams and Windsor soils are somewhat excessively drained, and gently sloping to moderately 

steep soils form on sandy glaciofluvial deposits. The surface layer consists of 0 to 7 inches of 

loamy sand. The subsoil consists of loamy fine sand from approximately 7 to 32 inches and 

gravelly loamy fine sand from approximately 32 to 65 inches. Permeability is high to very high and 

available water capacity is low (USDA, 2008).

Hartland soils are moderately well drained, and soils form on sandy glaciofluvial deposits. The 

surface layer consists of 0 to 4 inches of fine sandy loam. The subsoil is comprised of gravelly 

loamy fine sand from approximately 4 to 15 inches and very gravelly sand from approximately 15 

to 52 inches. Permeability is high and available water capacity is low (USDA, 2008).

Duane and Deerfield soils are moderately well drained, and soils form on sandy and gravelly 

glaciofluvial deposits. The surface layer consists of 0 to 4 inches of fine sandy loam. The subsoil 

consists of gravelly loamy fine sand from approximately 4 to 15 inches and very gravelly sand 

from approximately 15 to 52 inches. Permeability is high and available water capacity is very low 

(USDA, 2008).

1.5.2 Hydrogeology

CJ is located within the Winooski River Watershed of the St. Lawrence River Basin, within which 

is the Lake Champlain Basin. The Lake Champlain Basin is the entire drainage area for Lake 

Champlain. Rain, snow, sleet, or any precipitation that falls on the watershed will eventually reach 

the Lake and flow north to the Richelieu River and on to the St. Lawrence River and Atlantic 

Ocean. Lake Champlain drains nearly half of Vermont with groundwater flowing to the west.

Groundwater in Vermont is contained in either bedrock fractures or glacial deposits of sand and 

gravel. In the western parts of Vermont and the Green Mountains, groundwater is contained in 

carbonate rock aquifers. Outside of the Green Mountains, much of the groundwater is contained 

in the bedrock itself in what are known as crystalline rock aquifers where water usually flows 

through fractures and joints in the rock. The Vermont Groundwater Favorability Index generally 

defines Northwestern Vermont as an area of low groundwater potential, underlain by unstratified 

glacial drift and bedrock. 

Shallow groundwater in the glacial deposits on CJ flows along relatively low horizontal gradients. 

Localized flow directions and hydraulic gradients can be attributed to the influence of tributaries 

of the Sunderland Brook to the north of the Site and the Winooski River to the south of the Site. 

In the northern portion of the Site near Sunderland Brook the flow is likely towards the north. 

However, the more prominent influence is the Winooski River. The groundwater flow in the 

developed portion of the site near the Fitness Center is to the south-southwest. The glacial deposit 

thickness is estimated to be 30 to 100 feet. Groundwater flow direction for shallow wells screened 

near the sediment bedrock interface may also be influenced by the bedrock topography and by 

regional fracture patterns. Approximately 75 acres of Class II and III Wetlands occur at CJ (Figure 

1-3), supported mostly by groundwater. CJ also contains an un-quantified amount of riparian

habitat (VTARNG, 2001).

Groundwater data indicate the shallow water table may be 3 feet below ground surface. Shallow 

groundwater may discharge into surface water bodies at Camp Johnson, such as the wetlands 

on the western boundary of the facility.
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

10

No formal or informal names have been designated for the aquifers and confining units below CJ. 

Groundwater data indicates strong connectivity exists between the bedrock and the overlying 

surficial aquifers at CJ.

Approximately 200,000 people get their fresh drinking water supply from Lake Champlain. Water 

is pumped from the lake to a water treatment plant where it is purified and then pumped 

throughout the area. However, the Town of Colchester does not operate a water department. 

Water supply services in Colchester are provided by five distinct water supply entities that are all 

separate from the Town, including Champlain Water District (CWD), Town of Essex, and Fire 

Districts #1, #2, and #3 (Town of Colchester 96th Annual Report, 2017).

• Much of the population in Colchester is served by public water distributed by Fire Districts #1, 

#2, #3 or directly by CWD. Fire District #2 purchases their drinking water from the city of 

Burlington, which takes it from an inlet 4,200 feet out from the Coast Guard station at the 

Burlington waterfront, in 50 feet of water. Fire Districts #1 and #3 purchase their drinking 

water from CWD, a regional municipal organization chartered by the Vermont Legislature to 

supply drinking water and fire protection to 12 municipal water systems. CWD has an intake 

in Shelburne Bay, in 75 feet of water, half a mile offshore. Overall, the Town has relatively low 

withdrawals of groundwater in the range of 1,000-2,000 gallons per day. All residences, 

institutions and businesses located within the fire districts must obtain their water from the 

fire district as personal wells are not allowed.

• About 1,000 properties in Colchester rely on individual potable water supplies, such as drilled 

wells or springs, to supply their drinking water. Private wells generally only yield enough water 

for domestic or light commercial use. About 80% of privately drilled wells in Vermont draw 

water from crystalline rock aquifers (Olcott, 1995), and most wells near and north of CJ are 

completed within the bedrock aquifer system(s) (VDEC, 1995). However, several wells within 

the vicinity of CJ are constructed within the glacial outwash sediments overlying the Paleozoic 

bedrock. Groundwater quality throughout Vermont is considered a class III, being suitable for 

domestic water supply (Cotton, 1986). 

• The 2018 Geocheck® Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR) report indicated the 

presence of the following:

• Five groundwater monitoring wells at Baker Distributing Company within 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 mile of CJ 

to the southeast. Groundwater monitoring wells are not subject to sampling under the Third 

Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3). As such, no data for these wells are 

included in the UCMR 3 data for Vermont. UCMR 3 Data for the state is included in Appendix 

A. 

• Twelve groundwater monitoring wells at Champlain Cable Corporation (CCC) within 0 to 1

/8

mile of CJ to the west. No data for these wells is included in the UCMR 3 data for Vermont.

• Five water wells identified by the United States Geological Survey well database within 1⁄4 to 

1⁄2 mile (southwest) and 1⁄2 to 1 mile of CJ (north). No data for these wells are included in the 

UCMR 3 data for Vermont.

• Twelve water wells identified by State database well information are located within 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 

mile and 1⁄2 to 1 mile of CJ in all directions. No data for these wells are included in the UCMR 

3 data for Vermont. Numerous potable, agricultural, and public water system wells exist within 

4 miles of CJ; however, no PFAS data is included in the Vermont UCMR 3 data. The EDR 

report, which includes Vermont UCMR 3 data, is included in Appendix A.
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

11

The CWD provides daily drinking water to CJ. The area around CJ is served drinking water by 

Colchester Fire District #2 and #3. Some nearby residences were previously not served by any 

municipal system and relied on private wells as a drinking water supply.

Monitoring wells maintained for continuing investigations at CJ were observed near Building 2908 

and the former wood dump site. All wells are protected with appropriate flush-mount or 

aboveground casings. There are no irrigation wells on the property.

According to the April 2015 CJ Groundwater Monitoring Report by Stone Environmental, Inc., a 

total of six wells, located within the south-central portion of the CJ Cantonment Area, are sampled 

annually for analytical purposes using low flow protocols. The six wells (FD-4, FD-5, FD-6, MW1, MW-2, MW-4) were installed around Building 2908 near where a former jet fuel underground 

storage tank (UST) was located. Hydraulic gradient measurements indicated a 0.002 feet/foot 

gradient flow in the southwesterly direction.

Six groundwater monitoring wells are located around the former wood dump site within the northcentral portion of the Camp Johnson Training Area. The wood dump site has since been covered 

with a clay cap. The wells are positioned within the landfill cap (JWD-GW2), as well as cross 

gradient (JWD-GW1, JWD-GW3, and JWD-GW4), and downgradient (JWD-GW5 and JWDGW6) of the landfill cap. All monitoring wells are screened in overburden soils and across the 

water table according to the September 2017 CJ Groundwater Monitoring Report by Stone 

Environmental, Inc. 

There are multiple perforated dry wells located in the cantonment area of CJ; the exact number 

of dry wells is currently unknown. Stormwater runoff captured by these wells subsequently soaks 

into the sandy soils. 

Monitoring wells, localized groundwater flow, and detected PFAS concentrations at the adjacent 

CCC property are shown on Figure 3 and Figure 4 of the ATC Group Services, LLC, October 23, 

2018 Long Term Monitoring Report for the Champlain Cable Corporation Facility. This report is 

included in Appendix A. 

1.5.3 Hydrology 

CJ is within the Winooski River watershed, which drains approximately 1,080 square miles of land 

in central Vermont. The watershed begins in the town of Cabot and flows 90 miles to Lake 

Champlain in Colchester. The watershed lies within several north-south oriented mountain chains 

separated by fertile river valleys. Based on 1997 National Resource Inventory data, the land cover 

of the drainage area is approximately 72% forested, 12% agricultural and 9% is developed land. 

Water accounts for 5% of the total acreage and the remaining percentage is miscellaneous land 

(VANR, 2012). 

Regional watersheds and surface drainage features that do not originate on CJ but drain its 

surface water, as well as waters from Burlington, Essex, and other nearby Cities, is presented in 

Figure 1-2. Surface water features at CJ are presented in Figure 1-3. 

Two surface water bodies are located close to CJ: Sunderland Brook and the larger Winooski 

River. The two waterways converge approximately 2 miles west of the western CJ property 

boundary. The Winooski River then flows west another 8 miles downstream to the edge of 

Chittenden County were the river flows into Lake Champlain. Nearly 490 square miles in area, 

Lake Champlain drains nearly half of all Vermont and supplies a third of the drinking water for the 

state (Curran, 2010).
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There are both naturally occurring and manmade surface water features at CJ (Figure 1-3). Class 

II and III wetlands and ponds, including Lilly Pad Pond, exist throughout the training area of CJ. 

Unnamed tributaries of the Sunderland Brook also extend through the eastern and western 

portions of CJ, separating the facility from adjacent properties. Two perforated dry wells, located 

in the CJCA, capture storm water runoff which subsequently soaks into the sandy soils. A catch 

basin located in the northwest corner of the CJCA funnels water into a small pond located north 

of Building 2908, and three small stormwater sewers are located in the southeastern portion of 

the CJTA (USACHPPM, 2009).

Approximately 75 acres of freshwater wetlands occur at CJ (Figure 1-3), fed mostly by 

groundwater to springs at the ground surface. Of the 75 wetland acres located on the property, 

there are approximately 60 Class II and 15 Class III wetland acres (VTARNG, 2001).

Approximately 8 acres of freshwater ponds occur at CJ (Figure 1-3). There are 5 standing ponds 

with the largest being Lily Pad Pond, which is near the center of the camp (USFWS, 2018).

Stormwater runoff on CJ drains to surface-water bodies by overland flow or through three small 

storm sewers. The majority of surface water runoff from the western and northern portions of the 

CJ drains into either the stormwater retention ponds or the two tributaries of the Sunderland 

Brook. Runoff from the southern portion of the facility drains into the Winooski River. There are 

three storm sewers on the southern property. The sole culvert for Storm System A is located off 

post, on Barnes Street and the outfall is located in the southeastern portion of the CJTA. The 

remaining two storm sewers do not convey water to CJ from off post sources (Otter Creek 

Engineering, 2001). 

1.5.4 Current and Future Land Use

CJ (combined with the former Ethan Allen Air Force Base) covers 660 acres and is the current 

headquarters for the VTARNG as well as home to the Garrison Support Command.

The military facility is currently used for training and administrative activities for the VTARNG. 

Most of the 72 buildings are concentrated on the original 50 acres of State-owned land. Access 

to the property is limited to authorized personnel and the property is guarded at all hours. Much 

of the VTARNG property that was Fort Ethan Allen is used for operational training including small 

unit maneuvers, bivouacking, orienteering, Command Post exercises, vehicle storage, and 

helicopter approach maneuvers.

According to the 2014 Town of Colchester General Plan (Town of Colchester, 2014), future land 

use around the facility is projected to remain residential with some parcels becoming commercial 

and industrial. The portions of FEA that were not acquired by the military have been deemed a 

historic district (some of which is within CJ boundaries) and are now used for various commercial 

and residential purposes. While CJ contains a significant amount of undeveloped land, no change 

in use for this area is expected.

1.5.4 Climate

CJ is in Climate Zone 5a and is designated as a humid continental climate with cold winters and 

very warm, moist summers. Topography and elevation have an important influence on local 

climatic conditions. Offshore breezes from Lake Champlain maintain moderate humidity with 

frequent rainfall, with average annual precipitation being 34.47 inches. On average, July 

receives the most precipitation and February the least. Annual snowfall averages 81.2 inches

due to localized lake effect snow from Lake Champlain. Air temperature highs in July and lows 
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in January average 70° Fahrenheit (F) and 25°F, respectively. Climate zone 5a has an average 

annual extreme minimum temperature of -20°F to -15°F (NCDC, 2004). 
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Fire Training Areas

No fire training areas (FTAs) were identified at CJ during the PA. CJ personnel confirmed that 

there are no FTAs at CJ during interviews and a review of Range Facility Management Support 

System data did not indicate that fire training takes place on any range at CJ. The Colchester 

Center Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Fire Chief confirmed with first-hand knowledge that no 

fire training has occurred at CJ in his 30-year tenure.

However, the CJ Natural Resources Conservation Plan establishes a goal to implement a wildfire 

program that minimizes safety concerns and wildfire risk while promoting pitch pine seedling 

growth. With almost 175 acres of pitch pine forest, the installation boasts Vermont's largest 

remaining stretch of this habitat, which supports 15 state-listed rare plants. CJ, along with 

partnered agencies, pursues that goal by using prescribed fires on forests located in the CJTA.

CJ has an in-house burn crew and fire staff that lead their prescribed burns. They were assisted 

by the City of Colchester and St. Michael's College fire departments (Kropp, 2014). No AFFF is 

used for wildfire program operations.
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Non-Fire Training Areas

Locations that are considered non-FTA include, but are not limited to, hangars, airfields, fire 

stations, landfills, and other locations where AFFF may have been stored, released or had 

potential to be released to the environment, but was not used in fire training.

A description of each non-FTA is presented below, and the non-FTAs are shown on Figure 3-1. 

Photographs of the non-FTAs appear in Appendix C.

Former Wood Dump Station

The former wood dump station is in the north-central portion of the CJTA and is approximately 

0.85 acres in size. The area is bounded by forested wetlands with a small unnamed tributary of 

the Sunderland Brook to the north and east. To the south and west are an access road and a 

broad deltaic plateau used for training maneuvers. The geographic coordinates of the 

approximate center of the former wood dump station are 44°30'38.8"N and 73°09'40.7"W. 

During the period from 1942 to 1988, the wood dump station received wood construction and 

demolition debris from the many renovation projects on CJ. Reportedly, it was a common past 

practice to periodically burn stockpiled debris and bury the residual ash in native soils; however, 

VTARNG staff stated during interviews that AFFF was never used to put out fires at the wood 

dump station. In 1999, the wood dump station was covered with a clay cap (Stone Environmental, 

Inc. 2017). As part of the ongoing monitoring and maintenance requirements, the surface of the 

cap is to be mown semi-annually to prevent growth of trees and subsequent breaching of the clay 

cap by tree roots, and groundwater quality is to be assessed annually (USAEHA, 1996).

The area of the former wood dump station is observed to be flat and comprised of an open, grass

field. The area is not currently being used by CJ. Periodically, controlled brush fires will be lit in 

the area by the CJ burn crew to remove undergrowth, but AFFF is never used in association with 

the controlled fires.

Investigations for metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been conducted in the area 

of the former wood dump station to characterize soil and groundwater quality and assess aquifer 

conditions. No investigations for PFAS have occurred.

Building 2908 - Former Hangar

Building 2908 is located within the northwest corner of the CJCA. The building was constructed 

in 1940 with brick walls and a concrete foundation and occupies over 10,000 square feet. Building 

2908 was considered a potential PFAS release area based on its historical use as a hangar and 

vehicle maintenance shop; however, Building 2908 does not have a fire suppression system, nor 

is AFFF stored at the building. The CJ Environmental Compliance Manager confirmed that 

Building 2908 has not had a fire suppression system in at least 25 years. It is currently used for 

vehicle, equipment, and non-hazardous material storage. The building is bounded to the north 

and east by a retention pond and grass fields, as well as Cantonment Circle to the south and 

west. The geographic coordinates of the approximate center of Building 2908 are 44°30'10.7"N 

and 73°09'49.9"W.

The building had two floor drains near the west corner of the building that discharged into dry 

wells located directly below the floor. A third floor drain is suspected to have been located near 

the north corner in what was once a battery room. The floor drains not discharging into the 

municipal sanitary sewer were plugged with concrete in 1992. Due to the absence of evidence 
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indicating AFFF was ever used or stored at Building 2908, it is unlikely PFAS has been released 

to the environment.

Environmental investigations have been conducted at the building for releases associated with

the use of floor drains in the maintenance bay. Analytes sampled for include volatile organic 

compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls (USAEHA, 

1999). The floor drains discharged to a dry well northwest of the building, and two (2) USTs: a fuel 

oil tank and an aviation fuel tank, both located north of the building. Based on the former use of 

the building for maintenance activities, contaminants potentially released to the floor drain system 

may have included waste or motor oil or other petroleum fluids, solvents, and battery fluids

(metals) (USAEHA, 1996). In 1990, the former USTs were removed by VTARNG.

Former Ethan Allen Army Airfield

The former Ethan Allen Army Airfield is the largest open field space on CJ and at its peak was 

originally 135 acres in size. The geographic coordinates of the approximate center of the airfield 

are 44°50'28.8"N and 73°15'87.8"W. The airfield was initially considered a potential PFAS release 

area because airfields can be a common location of crashes or refueling accidents.

The airfield was mostly used in the 1920s and 1930s for operating biplanes. All routine flying at 

Ethan Allen finished before the 1940s. 1949, the airfield, as part of FEA was transferred to the Air 

Force and re-named the Ethan Allen Air Force Base. The Air Force used FEA primarily for 

personnel housing and base station facilities supporting Ethan Allen Air Force Base which was 

co-located with Burlington International Airport. The Air Force de-activated the base in 1960 and 

787 acres reverted to the Army. Helicopter training still occurs at the airfield, but no airplane 

activity occurs and no airstrip is present. Because AFFF use began in 1969, and VTARNG staff 

indicated that no known crashes or emergencies have occurred at the airfield, there are no

suspected PFAS releases at the airfield. Today, the airfield is inactive, and the land has been 

divided for various purposes. About 18 acres of the former airfield that are no longer part of the 

CJ property have been developed as offsite apartment complexes. An additional 6 acres that are 

not a part of the CJ property hold the US Army Reserve Center. On the CJ property, evidence of 

the runway is still visible with the paved ramp, and the grass runway area still largely clear. About 

30 acres of the former airfield was converted into buildings, roads, parking, and other structures 

to store equipment and support CJ. Additionally, a one-mile, all-weather running track was 

recently built in the open field of the former airfield.

Pond Near Champlain Cable Corporation

The pond near CCC is located on the western boundary of the CJTA. CCC is located just west of 

the pond. A small park trail called Sunny Hollow Trails separates the two properties. An access 

road borders the pond on CJ property to the south and east. The pond is less than 0.8 acres in 

size. The geographic coordinates of the approximate center of the pond are 44°30'37.4"N and 

73°10'24.4"W.

The wetland area, including the pond, receives natural surface water runoff, and potentially 

groundwater discharge from the surrounding area of CJ and CCC properties. It appears that the 

pond is free standing as it is unconnected to any of the surrounding tributaries.

Surface water in the pond has been tested and confirmed to contain PFAS (ATC Group Services, 

LLC, 2018). No remedial actions have taken place at the pond. Simultaneously, PFAS has been 

found in groundwater at the adjacent CCC property and an investigation is ongoing. Although the 
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presumed source of PFAS contamination in surface water is the adjacent off-facility CCC property,

the pond is located on CJ property. Discussion of the CCC property is included in Section 5. 

Waste Water Treatment Plant

There is no Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) at CJ. Sewer water is directed to an off-facility 

municipal wastewater treatment plant. WWTPs are not usually a primary potential release area 

of PFAS, but sludges and liquids from areas of potential release that are treated at WWTPs may 

create a secondary source of contamination. At CJ, no information obtained indicated PFASrelated materials were treated at a WWTP.

Landfills

There are no landfills at CJ; however, the former wood dump received construction and demolition 

debris from renovation projects from 1942 to 1988. The former wood dump station is discussed 

in Section 3.1. Landfills are not usually a primary potential release area of PFAS, but materials 

disposed of in landfills may create a secondary source of contamination. Such materials, to name 

a few, may include sludge from a WWTP that processes PFAS-laden water, used AFFF storage 

containers, or products associated with waterproofing uniforms or boots. At CJ, no information 

obtained indicates PFAS-related materials were ever disposed of in a landfill or the former wood 

dump station.
Winooski Upper

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Lily Pad

Pond

Former Wood Dump Station

Former Ethan Allen Army Airfield

Building 2908 Former Hangar

Pond Near CCC (associated

with CCC PFAS releases)

Legend

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No Suspected Release

Facility Boundary

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Wetland

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Emergency Response Areas

The CJ Environmental Compliance Manager and Safety and Occupational Health Manager 

confirmed that no crashes or other emergencies resulting in AFFF use have occurred at CJ in the 

last 25 years. No earlier records were available to indicate whether any crashes or building fires 

have occurred at CJ. Emergency responses to crashes sometimes require flame suppression, 

which may result in the release of PFAS to the environment in the form of AFFF. No locations 

involving the potential release of AFFF were identified at the facility during the site visit.
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Adjacent Sources

According to the EDR report and publicly released notifications, several off-facility properties 

within a 2-mile radius of CJ with the potential to have stored or released PFAS-containing 

materials were identified. The western boundary of CJ abuts an industrial area which includes

several distribution centers, a lumber store, a stainless steel duct manufacturer (Fab-Tech, Inc.),

the CCC property, and several others. Based on the broad spectrum of materials potentially used 

at off-facility properties, there is potential for PFAS releases to the environment beyond the CJ 

boundary. A description of several off-facility sources is presented below; off-facility sources are 

shown on Figure 5-1 and Figure 5-2.

Champlain Cable Corporation

The CCC occupies a 39-acre property at 175 Hercules Dr, Colchester, VT 05446, which is about

400 feet west of the CJ western property boundary (Figure 5-1). Founded in 1955, the CCC 

manufactures wire and cable coatings for aircraft, computer, and energy industries. Industrial 

processes include metal cleaning and degreasing operations, thermoplastic extrusion of wire 

insulation, lacquer coating, tape wrapping, and cold drawing of wire to produce wire of various 

sizes. The waste products have historically contained lubricating solutions, degreasing solvents 

and liquid corrosives. These manufacturing processes have been found to use PFAS. 

Between 1966 and 1977, liquid wastes were poured onto the ground outside of the building

including along the roadway to the east of the facility and in an area to the northeast of the facility, 

referred to as the “sand pit” (USEPA, 1995). The drainage area surrounding the south and west 

of the facility topographically slopes southeast towards the CJ property, encouraging surface 

water runoff towards wetlands in that direction. As confirmed by the EDR report and a local news 

article (Polhamus, 2016), PFAS has been found in groundwater on the CCC property and an 

investigation is currently ongoing. Groundwater samples collected in August 2018 showed PFAS 

detections in 23 of 24 wells sampled at CCC, with PFAS compounds exceeding the 20 ppt 

Drinking Water Health Advisory in 22 samples. The highest total concentration of the five stateregulated compounds (7,065 ppt) was detected in the “sand pit” area where state investigators 

are now focusing their attention (ATC Group Services, LLC, 2018). The CCC property apparently, 

sits on one of the oldest hazardous waste sites in the state, as stated by Chuck Schwer, director 

of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s waste management division, in the Vermont 

Digger 2016 article “PFOA found in groundwater at GlobalFoundries, Champlain Cable plants”

(Polhamus, 2016). 

Burlington Air National Guard Base

The Burlington Air National Guard Base is located 1.5 miles south of CJ at 106 Nco Dr, South 

Burlington, VT 05403 (Figure 5-2). It occupies approximately 240 acres of the 942-acre Burlington 

International Airport property since being assigned in 1951. Use of AFFF during training exercises 

and emergency responses as well as accidental spillage of AFFF on the base has resulted in 

multiple releases of PFAS to the environment by the Air National Guard. Concentrations of PFAS

in groundwater and surface water were detected above screening levels; however, no potential 

receptor pathways with immediate impacts to human health were identified (USACE, 2018). The 

Burlington Air National Guard Base is downgradient from CJ, but beyond the Winooksi River.
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Fort Ethan Allen Historic District

The former FEA comprised over 1,000 acres before its closure and transfer to CJ in 1961. FEA is 

now a 152-acre historic district under state, town, college, private home, and private business 

ownerships to the east of CJ (Figure 5-1). Also known simply as “The Fort”, the area consists of

Officers' Row Condominiums, student housing, college support facilities, broadcast outlets, a 

community park, state offices and various other businesses. Based on the known usage of AFFF 

beginning in the 1969, there is no potential for PFAS release in association with historic operations 

at the former FEA. 
Winooski Upper

Reservoir

Lily Pad Pond

Fort Ethan Allen Historic District

Champlain Cable Corporation

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No Suspected Release

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Wetland

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Burlington Air National Guard Base

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Conceptual Site Model

Based on the PA findings, potential release areas were identified at the Pond Near CCC; however, 

this area is not considered an AOI because its release is associated with the adjacent CCC 

property. The pond location is shown on Figure 6-1. The following section describes the CSM 

components and the specific CSM developed for the areas adjacent to the CCC property. The 

CSM identifies the three components necessary for a potentially complete exposure pathway: (1) 

source, (2) pathway, (3) receptor. If any of these elements are missing, the pathway is considered 

incomplete. Potential PFAS receptors at CJ include site workers, construction workers, and 

trespassers. Off-facility potential PFAS receptors include residents and public recreation area 

users. The CSM indicates which specific receptors could potentially be exposed to PFAS.

In general, the potential PFAS exposure pathways are ingestion and inhalation. Dermal contact 

is not considered to be a potential exposure pathway as studies have shown very limited 

absorption of PFAS through the skin (National Ground Water Association, 2018). 

Pond Near CCC

The pond is located on CJ’s western boundary with CCC. PFAS in site media at the pond is 

presumably the result of historical industrial activities at the CCC property. Between 1966 and 

1977 liquid wastes containing PFAS were poured onto the ground outside of the CCC property

along the roadway to the east and in an area to the northeast of the CCC property. The wetland 

area, including the pond, receives natural surface water runoff and may also retain stormwater 

fed by overland flow from the surrounding area of CJ and CCC properties. The pond appears free 

standing as it is unconnected to any of the surrounding tributaries. 

PFAS has been detected in surface water at the pond, with the most recent samples exhibiting a

total concentration 19.33 ppt for the five state-regulated compounds (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, 

PFHpA, and PFNA) in surface water (ATC Group Services, LLC, 2018), which is below the 20 ppt 

Drinking Water Health Advisory. Surface water from precipitation may infiltrate in areas with 

permeable surface soils. Precipitation on paved surfaces will generally flow overland or be 

collected by the facility’s storm and sewer drain infrastructure, where it exists, and ultimately 

discharge to the ponds and tributaries of Sunderland brook located on the northern property of 

CJ. CJ site workers, construction workers, and trespassers may be exposed to PFAS 

contaminated surface water at or near the pond. 

PFAS is also present in groundwater at the adjacent CCC property and may be present in 

groundwater at CJ as a result. PFAS are water soluble and can migrate readily from soil to 

groundwater or surface water via leaching and run-off. As a result, CJ site workers and 

construction workers may be exposed to PFAS contamination via ingestion of surface soil near 

the pond. Additionally, ground-disturbing activities to subsurface soil in the area could result in 

site and construction worker exposure to potential PFAS contamination via ingestions.

The primary exposure pathway for PFAS from groundwater would be through ingestion of drinking 

water; however, potable water at CJ is supplied to the facility by the CWD. The distribution system 

includes a main line that enters the CJ from the south. Groundwater from active CJ monitoring 

wells has not been analyzed for PFAS; therefore, it is unknown whether PFAS is present in 

groundwater. Because wells at CJ are not used as a drinking water source, the pathway for 

potential PFAS in groundwater to receptors via ingestion is incomplete. Although no receptors for 

PFAS exposure to groundwater via ingestion exist at CJ, residents using private potable wells 
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

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near the CCC property may be exposed to PFAS in their drinking water. The CSM for the pond is 

shown on Figure 6-2.
!P

!P

!P

!PA!

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!P

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Malletts Bay

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Winooski

River

Watershed

Winooski Upper

Reservoir

Lily Pad

Pond

Pond Near CCC

(associated with

CCC PFAS releases)

Champlain Cable

Corporation

Fort Ethan Allen Historic District

Former Wood Dump Station

Former Ethan Allen Army Airfield

Building 2908 Former Hangar

Legend

Potential PFAS Release

No Suspected Release

Facility Boundary

Water Body

Wetland

River/Stream

Surface Water Flow

Direction

Inferred Groundwater

Flow Direction

Wells

!P Potable Well

!5 Nonpotable Well

A! Monitoring Well

A! Other Well

Areas of Interest

Figure 6-1

CLIENT

REVISED

SCALE

3/19/2019 MS

JW

3/19/2019

3/19/2019

ARNG

GIS BY

CHK BY

TITLE

PROJECT Preliminary Assessment for PFAS at TS Camp Johnson, VT

Q:\Projects\ENV\GEARS\GEO\MAES 2012 Unrestricted\Fort Meade\E. Data Management\GIS\MXDs\Chisholm_6th\March2017\ Fig_6-1_TS-Camp_Johnson_AOIs.mxd

PM RG 3/19/2019 Base Map: National Agricultural Imagery Program, 2016

1:20,400 ­ 12420 Milestone Center Drive

Germantown, MD 20876

0 850 1,700 3,400

Feet

31
Media

SOURCE PATHWAY RECEPTOR

PFAS-laden 

waste 

released near 

pond on CJ

PFAS in 

Surface 

Water and 

Surface Soil

Human 

Activities

Precipitation/ 

Run-Off

Leaching/ 

Infiltration

Airborne Soil 

Particulate

Surface Soil 

Surface 

Water/ 

Sediment

Subsurface 

Soil

Shallow 

Groundwater

Source Release 

Mechanism Media Transport and Migration Media Exposure Routes

Inhalation of 

Dust

Ingestion

Ingestion

Ingestion

Ingestion

Human Receptors: 

Current/ Future

Flow-Chart Continues

Partial / Possible Flow

Incomplete Pathway

Potentially Complete Pathway

Complete Pathway

Site 

Worker

Construction 

Worker Resident

Site 

Worker

Construction 

Worker Resident

/ / / /

/ / / /

LEGEND

/ / / /

/ / / /

/ / / /

Figure 6-2

Conceptual Site Model

Camp Johnson

CCC Facility 

(Not under 

Control of 

ARNG)

Trespasser/

Recreational User

Trespasser/

Recreational User

32
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

33

Conclusions

This report presents a summary of available information gathered during PA efforts on the use 

and storage of AFFF and other PFAS related activities at CJ. The PA findings are based on 

personnel interviews, environmental investigations and reports, historical documents, and the

VSI.

Findings

No PFAS releases relating to current or historical activities at CJ were identified during this PA. 

Off-facility PFAS releases were confirmed at the adjacent CCC property. Liquid wastes from 

industrial processes using PFAS were poured onto the ground along the roadway to the east of 

the CCC property and in an area to the northeast of the facility. Groundwater at the CCC property 

and surface water near the western boundary of CJ, adjacent to the CCC facility, have since been 

determined to have PFAS detections. The CCC property adjacent source and affected surface 

waters on CJ are shown on Figure 7-1. 

Based on known PFAS-laden waste releases by the CCC and PFAS detections in groundwater 

at the CCC property and a nearby pond, it is presumed that PFAS is migrating to CJ in surface 

water and possibly groundwater. Thus, there is potential for CJ site and construction worker 

exposure to PFAS contamination in surface and subsurface soils, and recreational 

user/trespasser exposure to PFAS contamination in surface soil. There is also potential for 

exposure to PFAS contamination in surface water at CJ to site and construction workers, and 

recreational users/trespassers via ingestion. Although groundwater is not used for drinking water 

at CJ, groundwater may be used off-facility by residents for drinking water. As such, off-facility 

residents may be exposed to PFAS contamination in groundwater via ingestion. The CSM for CJ

is shown on Figure 7-2.

Uncertainties

Several information sources were investigated during this PA to determine the potential for PFAScontaining materials to have been present, used, or released at the facility. Historically, 

documentation of PFAS use was not required because PFAS were considered benign. Therefore, 

records were not typically kept by the facility or available during the PA on the use of PFAS in 

training, firefighting, or other non-traditional activities, or on its disposition. 

The conclusions of this PA are predominantly based on the information provided during interviews 

with personnel who had direct knowledge of PFAS use at the facility. Sometimes the provided 

information was vague or conflicted with other sources. Gathered information has a degree of 

uncertainty due to the absence of written documentation, the limited number of personnel with 

direct knowledge due to staffing changes, the time passed since PFAS was first used (1969 to 

present), and a reliance on personal recollection. Inaccuracies may arise in potential PFAS 

release locations, dates of release, volume of releases, and the concentration of AFFF used. 

There is also a possibility the PA has missed a source of PFAS, as the science of how PFAS may 

enter the environment continually evolves.

To minimize the level of uncertainty, readily available data regarding the use and storage of PFAS 

were reviewed, retired and current personnel were interviewed, multiple persons were interviewed 

for the same potential source area, and potential source areas were visually inspected. The VSI

and interview process included inquiries and requests into the existence and availability of 

documentation that supports the identification of the potential PFAS source areas. 
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

34

The following table summarizes the uncertainties associated with the PA:

Non-AOIs Source of Uncertainty

Pond Near CCC Reports indicate that PFAS-laden wastes 

were dumped at the CCC property between 

1966 and 1977, but the volume of waste 

released during this period is unknown. It is 

unknown whether CCC dumped other 

PFAS-laden wastes at other locations at 

their facility, or whether any undocumented 

releases occurred after 1977. It is unclear 

whether PFAS is migrating to CJ via 

groundwater flow.

Potential Emergency Response 

Locations

CJ staff stated with first-hand knowledge 

that no crashes or emergencies resulting in 

AFFF use had occurred during their tenure 

(25 years), but it is unknown whether any 

crashes occurred before about 1993.

Building 2908 It is unknown whether AFFF was stored at 

Building 2908 prior to the tenure of the 

Environmental Compliance Manager 

beginning 25 years ago.

Potential Future Actions

Based on the documented absence (1988-present) of the use or release of PFAS-containing 

materials at CJ, no AOIs were identified during the PA. Evidence does not indicate that current or 

former ARNG activities contributed PFAS contamination to soil, groundwater, surface water, or 

sediment at the facility or adjacent areas. CJ will not move forward in the CERCLA process.

Environmental investigations at the adjacent CCC property indicate that CCC activities have 

resulted in PFAS releases along the western boundary of CJ. Based on the CSM developed for 

CJ, there is potential for receptors to be exposed to PFAS contamination in soil, groundwater, 

surface water, and sediment.

The table below summarizes the rationale used to determine that CJ should not be considered 

for further investigation under the CERCLA process and should not undergo a Site Inspection 

(SI). 

Area of Interest AOI 

Location

Rationale Potential Future 

Action

None Identified Not Applicable Based on interviewee knowledge from 

this PA dating back to the 1980s, 

visual inspection of the facility, and 

facility-related document review, no 

use, storage, or potential release of 

AFFF or other PFAS-containing 

materials occurred at this facility.

No Further Action
Pond Near CCC

(associated with

CCC PFAS releases)

Champlain

Cable

Corporation

Legend

Potential PFAS Release

Facility Boundary

Water Body

Wetland

River/Stream

0 300 600 1,200

Feet

CLIENT

REVISED

SCALE

ARNG

GIS BY

CHK BY

MS

JW

3/19/2019

3/19/2019

NOTES Preliminary Assessment for PFAS at TS Camp Johnson, VT

3/19/2019

1:6,000 ­ Figure 7-1 PM RG 3/19/2019

Q:\Projects\ENV\GEARS\GEO\ARNG PFAS\900-CAD-GIS\920-GIS or Graphics\MXD\VT\TS_Camp_Johnson\Fig_7-1_TS-Camp_Johnson_Summary.mxd

12420 Milestone Center Drive

Germantown, MD 20876

Summary of Findings

Base Map: Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS,

Intermap, increment P Corp., NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI,

35
Media

SOURCE PATHWAY RECEPTOR

PFAS-laden 

waste 

released near 

pond on CJ

PFAS in 

Surface 

Water and 

Surface Soil

Human 

Activities

Precipitation/ 

Run-Off

Leaching/ 

Infiltration

Airborne Soil 

Particulate

Surface Soil 

Surface 

Water/ 

Sediment

Subsurface 

Soil

Shallow 

Groundwater

Source Release 

Mechanism Media Transport and Migration Media Exposure Routes

Inhalation of 

Dust

Ingestion

Ingestion

Ingestion

Ingestion

Human Receptors: 

Current/ Future

Flow-Chart Continues

Partial / Possible Flow

Incomplete Pathway

Potentially Complete Pathway

Complete Pathway

Site 

Worker

Construction 

Worker Resident

Site 

Worker

Construction 

Worker Resident

/ / / /

/ / / /

LEGEND

/ / / /

/ / / /

/ / / /

Figure 7-2

Conceptual Site Model

Camp Johnson

CCC Facility 

(Not under 

Control of 

ARNG)

Trespasser/

Recreational User

Trespasser/

Recreational User

36
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

37

References

Ansley, Jane E. 2000. Topography of the Appalachian/Piedmont. The Paleontological Research 

Institution. Arnold Printing Corp., Ithaca, NY. P 113-118

Arcuti, Thomas L. 1999. A Report on the Evaluation for Historical Significance and Integrity of 

Buildings No. 155 and 156, Fort Ethan Allen Historic District, Colchester and Essex Vermont. 

Vermont Army National Guard. Colchester, VT.

ATC Group Services, LLC, 2018. Long Term Monitoring Report, August 2018 PFAS Sampling; 

Champlain Cable Corporation Facility. October 23, 2018.

Buechler, John. 1967. “Fort Ethan Allen: A Fort on the Northern Frontier.” Vermont History. 35 

(January 1967): 3-18.

Chapman, Donald H. 1937. “Late Glacial and Post-Glacial History of the Champlain Valley.” 

American Journal of Science. Vol 34, No. 200, p. 89-123.

Consulting Archeology Program, University of Vermont (UVM). 2001. Cultural Resources 

Inventory and Management Plan Camp Johnson, Vermont Army National Guard, Colchester, 

Vermont. Report No. 217. Burlington, VT.

Cotton, J.E. 1986. National Water Summery, Groundwater Quality: Vermont. U.S Geological 

Survey. USGS Water-Supply Paper 2325. P. 507.

Curran, John. 2010. "State seeks dismissal of phosphorus lawsuit." Burlington Free Press. 

Burlington, Vermont. August 11, 2010.

Frazier, William J. and Schwimer, David R. 1987. Regional Stratigraphy of North America, Plenum 

Press, New York.

Fischer, R. Montgomery. 1980. Introduction to the Environmental Geology of the Lake Champlain

and Shoreland Areas, in Vermont Geology - Geology of Lake Champlain & Vicinity, Proceedings 

of a Symposium, Vermont Geological Society, Inc, Jeane C. Detenback Ed., Vol. 1.

Haraty, Peter H., Burton M. Rubenstein, Terrill G. Bouricius, Edmund A. Bemis, Jr., and Roger A. 

Newton. 1979. Put the Vermonters Ahead: A History of the Vermont National Guard, 1764-1978. 

Queen City Printers, Inc. Burlington, VT.

Historic Preservation Plan for the Vermont Army National Guard. 2004. Camp Johnson. 

Colchester, Vermont. March 2004.

Isham, Marty. 1978. “Adopted Green Mountain Boys: The 37th Interceptor Squadron, Ethan Allen 

Air Force Base, 1952–1960.” American Aviation Historical Society Journal. 23:3 (Fall 1978): 204-

211.

Kropp, Cathy. 2014. Invaluable ecosystem opportunity found at Camp Johnson. US Army. 7 April 

2014

National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). 2004. Climatography of the United States No. 20. Monthly 

Station Climate Summaries. Burlington International Airport, VT. 1971-2000. February 2004.

National Ground Water Association (NGWA). 2018. Groundwater and PFAS: State of Knowledge 

and Practice. January 2018.
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

38

Olcott, Perry G. 1995. Groundwater Atlas of the United States: Segment 12 - Connecticut, Maine, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. US Geological Survey. 

HIA 730-M. available at http://capp.water.usgs.gov/gwa/ch_m/index.html.

Otter Creek Engineering. 2001. State of Vermont Military Department, Camp Johnson, 

Colchester, Vermont, Storm Water and Abandoned Sanitary Sewer Systems Investigation Report. 

10 December 2001.

Polhamus, Mike. 2016. PFOA found in groundwater at GlobalFoundries, Champlain Cable plants. 

The Vermont Journalism Trust. 14 July 2016.

Stone Environmental, Inc. 2017. Camp Johnson Dump Groundwater, Surface Water, and 

Sediment Monitoring Report. Colchester, Vermont. 8 September 2017.

Town of Colchester, 2014. Town of Colchester. Department of Planning & Zoning.

Town of Colchester 96th Annual Report. 2017. Colchester, Vermont. July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017 

US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2018. Final Site Inspection Report of Fire Fighting Foam 

Usage at Vermont Air National Guard. Burlington Air National Guard Base. Chittenden County, 

Vermont. January 2018.

US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM), 2009.

Environmental Baseline Survey No. 38-EH-0B4U-09, Camp Johnson Training Area, Colchester, 

Vermont.

US Army Environmental Hygiene Agency (USAEHA). 1996. Preliminary Assessment 38-EH2652-96, Camp Johnson Training Area, Colchester, Vermont, 24-28 April 1995, 24 September 

1996.

USAEHA, 1999. Narrative Report, Site Inspection No. 38-EH-7386-98, Camp Johnson Training 

Area, Colchester, Vermont, 3-18 June 1998, 8 March 1999.

US Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2008. Soil Conservation Service, Natural Resources 

Conservation Service, Web Soil Survey, available on-line at 

http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ updated 13 November 2008.

US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1991. Guidance for Performing Preliminary 

Assessments under CERCLA. EPA/540/G-91/013. September 1991.

USEPA. 1995. Final Site Inspection Prioritization Report. Champlain Cable Corporation. 

Colchester, Vermont. November 17, 1995.

US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2018. National Wetlands Inventory. 

https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/Mapper.html. Accessed July 2018.

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (VANR). 2012. Winooski River Basin Water Quality 

Management Plan. Department of Environmental Conservation. May 2012.

VANR, 2018. Department of Environmental Conservation – ANR Adopting Emergency PFAS 

Rules. July 16, 2018. https://dec.vermont.gov/news/PFAS-emergency-rule. Accessed January 9, 

2019.

Vermont Army National Guard (VTARNG). 2001. Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan 

for 2002-2006 and Environmental Assessment. October 2001.
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, Vermont

39

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VDEC). 1995. Compliance and Licensing 

Section, Water Supply Division, Summary Well Data for Portions of Burlington, South Burlington, 

Colchester, Essex Junction, Williston, and Winooski Within 4 Miles of Camp Johnson.

Vermont Department of Health, 2018. Memorandum: Drinking Water Health Advisory for Five 

PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances). July 10, 2018.

Vermont Geological Survey. 1961. Centennial Geological Map of Vermont, Charles G. Doll, 

Wallace M. Cady, James B. Thompson, and Marland P. Billings, authors.

Vermont Geological Survey. 1964. The Geology of the Milton Quadrangle, Vermont, Vermont 

Geological Survey Bulletin No. 26, Solon W. Stone and John G. Dennis, authors. 

Vermont Geological Survey. 1974. Geology for Environmental Planning in the Milton-St. Albans 

Region, Vermont, Water Resources Department, Environmental Geology No. 5, David P. Stewart, 

author.

Vermont State Historic Preservation Office (VTSHPO). 1995. “National Register of Historic Places 

Registration Form: Fort Ethan Allen Historic District.” By Meg Greene, Mary Jo Llewellyn, Robert 

W. Reynolds, Jr., Janet Roberts, and Heather Rudge. Revised by Jane Williamson. Montpellier, 

VT, 1988, Rev. 1995.

Wright, Stephen F. 2009. “Glacial Geology of the Burlington and Colchester 7.5’ Quadrangles, 

Northern Vermont.” Glacial Geology of the Burlington/Colchester Quadrangles.

PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson Colchester, VT

Appendix A

Data Resources

PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson, VT

Data Resources will be provided separately on CD. Data Resources for Camp Johnson

includes:

Previous Investigations Completed at Camp Johnson

• 1995 Final Site Inspection Prioritization Report Champlain Cable Corporation Colchester, 

Vermont

• 2004 Historic Preservation Plan for the Vermont Army National Guard

• 2007 Environmental Baseline Survey for the VTARNG AASF – Kneeland Flight Facility

• 2009 Environmental Baseline Survey No. 38-EH-0B4U-09 Camp Johnson Training Area 

Colchester, Vermont

• 2015 Groundwater Monitoring Report Building 2908, Camp Johnson, Colchester Vermont

• 2017 Camp Johnson Wood Dump Groundwater, Surface Water, and Sediment Monitoring 

Report

• 2018 Final Site Inspections Report of Fire Fighting Foam Usage at Vermont Air National 

Guard Burlington Air National Guard Base Chittenden County, Vermont

• 2018 ATC Group Services, LLC Long Term Monitoring Report, August 2018 PFAS 

Sampling; Champlain Cable Corporation Facility

Camp Johnson EDR Report

• 2018 Camp Johnson EDR Reports 5326791 and 5326793

Camp Johnson Installation Maps

• 2018 Camp Johnson Stormwater Discharge Study C1.2A

• 2018 Camp Johnson Stormwater Discharge Study C1.3A

PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson Colchester, VT

Appendix B

Preliminary Assessment Documentation

PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson Colchester, VT

Appendix B.1 

Interview Records

PA Interview Questionnaire - Other Facility:_Camp Johnson______

Interviewer:_Gus Raggambi___

Date/Time:__5/17/18_________

Interviewee:_Michael Chmielewski__________

Title:__CCVFC Fire Chief ________________

Phone Number:_Center Station: 802-878-8961

Email:_ chiefccvfc@gmail.com____________

Can your name/role be used in the PA Report? Y or N 

Can you recommend anyone we can interview?

Y or N __________________________

Roles or activities with the Facility/Years working at the Facility:

Colchester Center Volunteer Firefighters’ Association (CCVFC) Fire Chief for 30 years

May have held a role with the CCVFC since 1969

PFAS Use: Identify accidental/intentional release locations, time frame of release, frequency of releases, 

storage container size (maintenance, fire training, firefighting, buildings with suppression systems (as 

builts), fueling stations, crash sites, pest management, recreational, dining facilities, metals plating, or 

waterproofing). How are materials ordered/purchased/disposed/shared with others?

No AFFF has been used at Camp Johnson by CCVFC in at least 30 years Known Uses

No Class B foams have been used/stored by CCVFC in at least 10 years Use 

CCVFC training does not occur at Camp Johnson Procurement

Remaining notes are included on the following page. Disposition

Storage (Mixed)

Storage (Solution)

Inventory, Off-Spec

Containment

SOP on Filling

Leaking Vehicles

Nozzle and Suppression 

System Testing

Dining Facilities

Vehicle Washing

Ramp Washing

Fuel Spill Washing and 

Fueling Stations

Chrome Plating or 

Waterproofing



PA Interview Questionnaire - Other Facility:_Camp Johnson_______

Interviewer:_Gustav Raggambi__

Date/Time:_5/17/2018_______

Interviewee:_Col. Robert Gingras___________

Title:_Facilities Management Officer_________

Phone Number:_802-338-3041_____________

Email:_ robert.gingras@partner.vermont.gov__

Can your name/role be used in the PA Report? Y or N 

Can you recommend anyone we can interview?

Y or N _Deupty Chief Noyes_______________

Roles or activities with the Facility/Years working at the Facility:

Facilities Management Officer

PFAS Use: Identify accidental/intentional release locations, time frame of release, frequency of releases, 

storage container size (maintenance, fire training, firefighting, buildings with suppression systems (as 

builts), fueling stations, crash sites, pest management, recreational, dining facilities, metals plating, or 

waterproofing). How are materials ordered/purchased/disposed/shared with others?

Discussed potential firefighters worth speaking to. Known Uses

Discussed PFAS sampling results from May 2017 on Camp Johnson. Results were Use 

non-detect. Procurement

Notes for the conversation are attached on the following page. Disposition

Storage (Mixed)

Storage (Solution)

Inventory, Off-Spec

Containment

SOP on Filling

Leaking Vehicles

Nozzle and Suppression 

System Testing

Dining Facilities

Vehicle Washing

Ramp Washing

Fuel Spill Washing and 

Fueling Stations

Chrome Plating or 

Waterproofing

802-338-3327; leeann.banks@vermont.gov; environmental compliance manager

Jacqueline Anthony; 802-338-3353; jacqueline.anthony@vermont.gov







PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson Colchester, VT

Appendix B.2 

Visual Site Inspection Checklists

Visual Site Inspection Checklist

Names(s) of people performing VSI:

Recorded by:

ARNG Contact:

Date and Time:

Method of visit (walking, driving, adjacent):

Source/Release Information

Site Name / Area Name / Unique ID:

Historic Site Use (Brief Description):

Current Site Use (Brief Description):

Physical barriers or access restrictions:

1. Was PFAS used (or spilled) at the site/area? Y / N

1a. If yes, document how PFAS was used and usage time (e.g., fire fighting training 2001 to 2014):

2. Has usage been documented? Y / N

2a. If yes, keep a record (place electronic files on a disk):

3. What types of businesses are located near the site? Industrial / Commercial / Plating / Waterproofing / Residential

3a. Indicate what businesses are located near the site

4. Is this site located at an airport/flightline? Y / N

4a. If yes, provide a description of the airport/flightline tenants:

Site / Area Acreage:

Page 1 of 4

Gus Raggambi

Gus Raggambi

Bonnie Packer

May 15, 2018

Walking

Building 2908 - Former Hangar

10,000 square feet / approx. 0.23 acres

helicopter hangar and a vehicle maintenance shop

vehicle, equipment, and non-hazardous material storage

Camp Johnson installation boundary fence / interior fence around hangar

Unknown

No

CJCA buildings, Baker Distributing Corporation (beer, wine, and non-alc. beverage distribution

company), New Penn (trucking company), Wendell's Furniture, Saint Michael's College

No, but a runway exists approximately 1.55 miles south
Visual Survey Inspection Log

1. Does the facility have a fire suppression system? Y / N

1a. If yes, indicate which type of AFFF has been used:

1b. If yes, describe maintenance schedule/leaks:

1c. If yes, how often is the AFFF replaced:

1d. If yes, does the facility have floor drains and where do they lead? Can we obtain an as built drawing?

Transport / Pathway Information

1. Does site/area drainage flow off installation? Y / N

1a. If so, note observation and location:

2. Is there channelized flow within the site/area? Y / N

2a. If so, please note observation and location:

3. Are monitoring or drinking water wells located near the site? Y / N

3a. If so, please note the location:

4. Are surface water intakes located near the site? Y / N

4a. If so, please note the location:

5. Can wind dispersion information be obtained? Y / N

5a. If so, please note and observe the location.

6. Does an adjacent non-ARNG PFAS source exist? Y / N

6a. If so, please note the source and location.

6b. Will off-site reconnaissance be conducted? Y / N

Other Significant Site Features:

Migration Potential:

Page 2 of 4

No drinking water wells; dry wells and monitoring wells in the vinity have been

used for previous environmental investigations

Yes, a small pond exists immediately north of the site. Additionally, a forested wetland and freshwater

pond exist approximately 900 ft and 1,000 feet northwest and southwest of the site, respectively

No

Yes, Champlain Cable Company is a confirmed PFAS release source; approximately 0.8 miles northwest of Building 2908.

No
Visual Survey Inspection Log

1. Has the infrastructure changed at the site/area? Y / N

1a. If so, please describe change (ex. Structures no longer exist):

2. Is the site/area vegetated? Y / N

2a. If not vegetated, briefly describe the site/area composition:

3. Does the site or area exhibit evidence of erosion? Y / N

3a. If yes, describe the location and extent of the erosion: 

4. Does the site/area exhibit any areas of ponding or standing water? Y / N

4a. If yes, describe the location and extent of the ponding: 

Receptor Information

1. Is access to the site restricted? Y / N

1a. If so, please note to what extent:

2. Who can access the site?

2a. Circle all that apply, note any not covered above:

3. Are residential areas located near the site? Y / N

3a. If so, please note the location/distance:

4. Are any schools/day care centers located near the site? Y / N

4a. If so, please note the location/distance/type:

5. Are any wetlands located near the site? Y / N

5a. If so, please note the location/distance/type:

Significant Topographical Features:

Site Workers / Construction Workers / Trespassers / Residential / Recreational

Users / Ecological

Page 3 of 4

No

The building is locate don paved ground, but bounded to the north by a grassy field.

No

Yes, a pond exists north of the building.

Yes

Only the VTARNG

Yes, residential areas to the east exist within 0.3 miles

Saint Mary's College is approximately 0.3 miles southeast of Building 2908.

Yes, a small pond exists immediately north of the site. Additionally, a forested wetland and freshwater

pond exist approximately 900 ft and 1,000 feet northwest and southwest of the site, respectively
Visual Survey Inspection Log

Additional Notes

Photographic Log

Photo ID/Name Date & Location Photograph Description

Page 4 of 4
Visual Site Inspection Checklist

Names(s) of people performing VSI:

Recorded by:

ARNG Contact:

Date and Time:

Method of visit (walking, driving, adjacent):

Source/Release Information

Site Name / Area Name / Unique ID:

Historic Site Use (Brief Description):

Current Site Use (Brief Description):

Physical barriers or access restrictions:

1. Was PFAS used (or spilled) at the site/area? Y / N

1a. If yes, document how PFAS was used and usage time (e.g., fire fighting training 2001 to 2014):

2. Has usage been documented? Y / N

2a. If yes, keep a record (place electronic files on a disk):

3. What types of businesses are located near the site? Industrial / Commercial / Plating / Waterproofing / Residential

3a. Indicate what businesses are located near the site

4. Is this site located at an airport/flightline? Y / N

4a. If yes, provide a description of the airport/flightline tenants:

Site / Area Acreage:

Page 1 of 4

Gus Raggambi

Gus Raggambi

Bonnie Packer

May 15, 2018

Walking

Pond near Champlain Cable Corporation

less than 0.8 acres

NA (natural pond)

NA (natural pond)

Camp Johnson installation boundary fence (partially). The pond straddles

the property boundary, and partially occupies public space next to a public

trail.

PFAS release confirmed at the Champlain Cable Corporation facility. PFAS detected in the

CJ pond.

NA

Champlain Cable Corporation

No
Visual Survey Inspection Log

1. Does the facility have a fire suppression system? Y / N

1a. If yes, indicate which type of AFFF has been used:

1b. If yes, describe maintenance schedule/leaks:

1c. If yes, how often is the AFFF replaced:

1d. If yes, does the facility have floor drains and where do they lead? Can we obtain an as built drawing?

Transport / Pathway Information

1. Does site/area drainage flow off installation? Y / N

1a. If so, note observation and location:

2. Is there channelized flow within the site/area? Y / N

2a. If so, please note observation and location:

3. Are monitoring or drinking water wells located near the site? Y / N

3a. If so, please note the location:

4. Are surface water intakes located near the site? Y / N

4a. If so, please note the location:

5. Can wind dispersion information be obtained? Y / N

5a. If so, please note and observe the location.

6. Does an adjacent non-ARNG PFAS source exist? Y / N

6a. If so, please note the source and location.

6b. Will off-site reconnaissance be conducted? Y / N

Other Significant Site Features:

Migration Potential:

Page 2 of 4

No drinking water wells; 12 monitoring wells on the CCC property have been

used for PFAS environmental investigations at CCC

Yes, forested wetlands and freshwater ponds exist within 0.1 miles of the pond

No

Yes, Champlain Cable Company is a confirmed PFAS release source believed to have contributed to PFAS detection int the pond

No

NA

NA

NA

NA

The pond appears to be freestanding, disconnected from surrounding tributaries.

No
Visual Survey Inspection Log

1. Has the infrastructure changed at the site/area? Y / N

1a. If so, please describe change (ex. Structures no longer exist):

2. Is the site/area vegetated? Y / N

2a. If not vegetated, briefly describe the site/area composition:

3. Does the site or area exhibit evidence of erosion? Y / N

3a. If yes, describe the location and extent of the erosion: 

4. Does the site/area exhibit any areas of ponding or standing water? Y / N

4a. If yes, describe the location and extent of the ponding: 

Receptor Information

1. Is access to the site restricted? Y / N

1a. If so, please note to what extent:

2. Who can access the site?

2a. Circle all that apply, note any not covered above:

3. Are residential areas located near the site? Y / N

3a. If so, please note the location/distance:

4. Are any schools/day care centers located near the site? Y / N

4a. If so, please note the location/distance/type:

5. Are any wetlands located near the site? Y / N

5a. If so, please note the location/distance/type:

Significant Topographical Features:

Site Workers / Construction Workers / Trespassers / Residential / Recreational

Users / Ecological

Page 3 of 4

No

Yes, the pond is located in a wooded area

No

Yes, the site is a pond

Yes

Only the VTARNG (on the fenced in portion); public on the trail portion

Yes, residential areas to the northwest (0.5 miles), south (0.8 miles), and southwest (0.9 miles)

Winooski High School is approximately 0.7 miles south of the CCC property/pond

Yes, forested wetlands and freshwater ponds exist within 0.1 miles of the pond
Visual Survey Inspection Log

Additional Notes

Photographic Log

Photo ID/Name Date & Location Photograph Description

Page 4 of 4
PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson Colchester, VT

Appendix B.3 

Conceptual Site Model Information

Preliminary Assessment – Conceptual Site Model Information 

Site Name: Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vermont 

Why has this location been identified as a site? No documentation of the use or release of PFAS, 

though potential historical use and the potential PFAS usage at adjacent sites which may have led 

to migration of contaminants onto the site is the basis of identifying CJ as a site 

Are there any other activities nearby that could also impact this location? Champlain Cable 

Corporation; Burlington Air National Guard Base, Fort Ethan Allen Historic District (historic operations 

at fort) 

Training Events 

Have any training events with AFFF occurred at this site? No 

If so, how often? N/A 

How much material was used? Is it documented? N/A 

Identify Potential Pathways: Do we have enough information to fully understand over land surface 

water flow, groundwater flow, and geological formations on and around the facility? Any direct 

pathways to larger water bodies? 

Surface Water:

Surface water flow direction? Unknown 

Average rainfall? 34.47 inches 

Any flooding during rainy season? Unknown 

Direct or indirect pathway to ditches? Yes 

Direct or indirect pathway to larger bodies of water? Yes 

Does surface water pond any place on site? Unknown 

Any impoundment areas or retention ponds? Yes 

Any NPDES location points near the site? Unknown 

How does surface water drain on and around the flight line? Unknown 

 
Preliminary Assessment – Conceptual Site Model Information 

Groundwater:

Groundwater flow direction? “Cannot be predicted with reasonable confidence” 

Depth to groundwater? Shallow GW Table may be as little as 3 feet bgs 

Uses (agricultural, drinking water, irrigation)? No potable or irrigation use at CJ 

Any groundwater treatment systems? Unknown 

Any groundwater monitoring well locations near the site? Yes 

Is groundwater used for drinking water? Not used as drinking water on site 

Are there drinking water supply wells on installation? No

Do they serve off-post populations? N/A

Are there off-post drinking water wells downgradient N/A 

Waste Water Treatment Plant:

Has the installation ever had a WWTP, past or present? Unknown 

If so, do we understand the process and which water is/was treated at the plant? N/A 

Do we understand the fate of sludge waste? N/A 

Is surface water from potential contaminated sites treated? Unknown 

Equipment Rinse Water 

1. Is firefighting equipment washed? Where does the rinse water go? Unknown 

2. Are nozzles tested? How often are nozzles tested? Where are nozzles tested? Are nozzles cleaned after 

use? Where does the rinse water flow after cleaning nozzles? Unknown 

3. Other? N/A 

 
Preliminary Assessment – Conceptual Site Model Information 

Identify Potential Receptors: 

Site Worker Yes 

Construction Worker Yes 

Recreational User Yes 

Residential Yes 

Child Yes 

Ecological Yes 

Note what is located near by the site (e.g. daycare, schools, hospitals, churches, agricultural, livestock)? 

Documentation 

Ask for Engineering drawings (if applicable). 

Has there been a reconstruction or changes to the drainage system? When did that occur? 

PFAS Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson Colchester, VT

Appendix C

Photographic Log

Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson

Perfluorooctane-Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) and 

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Impacted Sites

ARNG Installations, Nationwide

AECOM

APPENDIX C – Photographic Log

Army National Guard, Preliminary

Assessment for PFAS Camp Johnson Colchester, Vermont

Photograph No. 1

Description:

View of Building 2908. View 

to the northwest.

Photograph No. 2

Description:

Building 2908. View to the 

north.
Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson

Perfluorooctane-Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) and 

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Impacted Sites

ARNG Installations, Nationwide

AECOM

APPENDIX C – Photographic Log

Army National Guard, Preliminary

Assessment for PFAS Camp Johnson Colchester, Vermont

Photograph No. 3

Description:

Sunny Hollow Trail between 

Champlain Cable Company 

(left side of photograph) and 

Camp Johnson (right side of 

photograph). View to the 

north.

Photograph No. 4

Description: 

View of Camp Johnson’s 

western property boundary 

adjacent to Sunny Hollow 

Trail.
Preliminary Assessment Report

Camp Johnson

Perfluorooctane-Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) and 

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Impacted Sites

ARNG Installations, Nationwide

AECOM

APPENDIX C – Photographic Log

Army National Guard, Preliminary

Assessment for PFAS Camp Johnson Colchester, Vermont

Photograph No. 5

Description:

View of low lying areas with 

ponded water adjacent to 

Sunny Hollow Trail and Camp 

Johnson’s western property 

boundary.