Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base covers 125,000 acres in San Diego County, California. It was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) on November 21, 1989, after an initial assessment in May 1984. The Marine Corps is responsible for cleanup, and EPA serves as the lead regulatory agency under CERCLA, the federal law governing Superfund cleanups.
Contamination came from past disposal practices, including vehicle maintenance, landfill operations, and firefighting drill areas. More than 80 chemical substances have been identified as contaminants of concern. Groundwater contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, vinyl chloride, and 1,2-dichloroethane, along with 1,4-dioxane and 1,2,3-trichloropropane. Soil contains metals including lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, and zinc, as well as pesticides like DDT and its breakdown products. Dioxin compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are also present in soil.
Major cleanup work has been underway since June 1999. Between 1995 and 2002, tens of thousands of cubic yards of contaminated soil were excavated and treated or disposed of offsite. A 28-acre landfill that operated from 1946 to 1970 was capped in 2002. In 2007, drums of pesticides and solvents were fully removed from one area, with groundwater treated on site. The site is divided into seven operable units, each targeting specific areas or contamination types. Cleanup methods used across these units include excavation, solidification and stabilization, bioremediation, chemical reduction in groundwater, leachate control, and institutional controls. Several operable units have completed remedial actions, while others are still in design or active cleanup phases.
The base's drinking water supply currently meets drinking water standards. EPA assessments indicate that human exposure to contaminants is under control and groundwater migration is stabilized, with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. Physical construction is not yet complete across the entire site. Full construction is estimated to finish between October and December 2027, with the final remedy and sitewide readiness for anticipated reuse expected between September and November 2028. The most recent five-year review was completed on September 27, 2024, and found that remedies still under construction are expected to be protective upon completion.
Community members can contact EPA staff directly with questions. The Community Involvement Coordinator and the Remedial Project Manager can direct the public to site documents and the Administrative Record.
