barstow marine corps logistics base

MARINE CORPS LOGIS BASE- NEBO

The Barstow Marine Corps Logistics Base site covers 5,687 acres east of Barstow, California. The site consists of three areas: the Nebo area, the Yermo area and the Rifle Range. The base was established at the Nebo location in 1942, when the U.S. Navy transferred command to the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1946, the Yermo area was annexed by the Marines from the U.S. Army. The Rifle Range was acquired in 1955 and was developed as a facility for the Marines to improve their marksmanship. The Barstow base has two major functions: providing equipment maintenance, repair, overhaul and rebuilding, and receiving, storing, maintaining, issuing and shipping materials. Consequently, the majority of wastes historically generated by the base have been vehicle-related and war surplus. Vehicle-related wastes include waste oils, grease, hydraulic fluids, fuels, battery acids, bilge waters, and antifreeze. Industrial wastes are generated by the Repair Division while maintaining, rebuilding or preserving the vehicles. These include painting, degreasing, metal parts cleaning, and preservation wastes. Some hazardous or suspected hazardous wastes were contained in war surplus materials received at the base including ammunition, various sources of low-level radiation (luminescent dials, watches, and scopes) and chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and raw materials. Investigations by the Marine Corps have found 38 areas of contamination on the base. Approximately 29,000 people live in the City of Barstow. About 1,300 people use on-site groundwater as a drinking water source. Groundwater is the only source for domestic, commercial and industrial water supply, as well as crop irrigation. The base is located in the central Mojave Desert.