Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany sits on 3,579 acres in Dougherty County, Georgia. It has been on the EPA's National Priorities List (NPL) since November 21, 1989. Contamination came from landfill operations dating to the 1950s, industrial spills and leaks, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) transformers. The site does not pose a threat to local residents and businesses, and the Navy has provided alternative water supplies to nearby residences located downhill from a contaminated groundwater plume.
Thirty-seven contaminants of concern have been identified in groundwater and soil across the base. Groundwater contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including trichloroethene (TCE), tetrachloroethene (PCE), benzene, and carbon tetrachloride, along with metals such as arsenic, lead, chromium, and cadmium. Soil contamination, found mainly in two areas of the base, includes PCBs, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated benzenes, and metals.
The Navy, EPA, and Georgia Environmental Protection Division organized the cleanup into six operable units (OUs). The Navy completed remedial actions for OUs 1 through 5, which involved excavating contaminated soil, placing covers over landfills, and setting land use controls. OU 6 addresses base-wide groundwater contamination and relies on bioremediation, monitored natural attenuation, and chemical oxidation. Physical construction across the site was completed on September 28, 2011. A partial deletion from the NPL occurred on August 16, 2023. An additional investigative phase for groundwater began in February 2026. Human exposure is under control and groundwater migration is stabilized, but the site has not yet achieved sitewide readiness for anticipated reuse.
The most recent five-year review, which checks whether cleanup actions remain protective, was conducted on September 28, 2021. The next review is estimated between August and October 2026. A 2018 inspection found that roughly 35 percent of trees in the evapotranspiration cover at OU 1 had fallen, with some fencing damaged. Hurricane Florence was identified as the cause, and the cover itself was found to remain protective with no releases or unacceptable human exposure.
Community members can stay informed through EPA public notices, meetings, and interviews. Site documents are available at the Dougherty County Public Library in Albany. A Technical Assistance Grant was awarded in 2003 to a group in the nearby Ramsey Road neighborhood to support redevelopment efforts.
