Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Will there be traffic delays or road closures as a result of the work being done along General Jim Moore Boulevard, Eucalyptus Road, and Coe Avenue?
A: There may be some traffic delays or road closures, but FORA expects to keep them to a minimum. If road closures are required for safety reasons related to MEC field activity, they will only occur between 9 AM and 3 PM Monday through Friday. No work requiring road closures will occur during commute times or weekends. Signs have been placed along General Jim Moore Boulevard to alert drivers that there is a possibility that road closures and/or delays might occur during these times.
Q: Will there be a lot of noise associated with the work along General Jim Moore Boulevard and Eucalyptus Road?
A: As with any construction activity there will be some noise. The field work crews will be on the property at 7:00 a.m. however work will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m.
Q:Will FORA use burning as a method for brush removal?
A: FORA must comply with habitat preservation requirements for brush removal, but will investigate alternative methods for brush/vegetation removal. Brush removal activities will be reviewed with the Army to ensure consistency with the existing biological opinion. Due to the nature of some of the plant life on the former Fort Ord, burning of some acreage in order for certain species to regenerate properly may be required. FORA will keep the community updated as all alternatives are considered. No burning activities will be considered for any ESCA parcels in the coming year. Prescribed burns are conducted by the Army in support of the munitions response remedial action in the former Impact Area (non-ESCA property). The Army burn season beings in July and typically ends in December. To find out more about the Army’s burn program, please visit the BRAC cleanup website at: http://www.fortordcleanup.com.
Q: I’ve noticed some very large piles of dirt along General Jim Moore Boulevard. Are they part of a new overpass roadway?
A: There is no roadway overpass being built or planned. The stockpiles of clean dirt that are visible from General Jim Moore Boulevard are part of the soil sifting activities for the munitions removal process in the Seaside MRA. SCA soil was scrapped, transported to the sifting area and then screened to remove remnant metals. The collected metals were inspected to remove any munitions or munitions scrap.
Q: What type of an organization is FORA?
A: FORA is a quasi-governmental entity legislatively established after Fort Ord was put on the BRAC list. FORA is responsible for the redevelopment of the Former Fort Ord, a 45-squaremile, 28,000-acre facility located on Monterey Bay along the Monterey Peninsula. FORA implements this mission by overseeing replacement land use removing physical barriers to reuse; financing and constructing major components of the required infrastructure and base-wide demands; and protecting identified environmental reserves. Under state law, FORA exercises its planning, financing, and monitoring responsibilities in the best interest of the Monterey Bay Community.
Q: Does the FORA ESCA program hold community meetings that are separate from the Army Community Involvement Meetings?
A: Yes. FORA holds 2-3 Informal Community Workshops a year. These workshops provide an ideal venue for the FORA ESCA RP Team to provide the community with updates on the progress of the ESCA RP remedial activities. In 2010 FORA is planning to hold three Informal Community Workshops in May, August, and November.
Q: During vegetation cutting will all trees have to be removed—specifically the larger trees and how much land will be affected by the more extensive cutting?
A: Preserving trees is of course beneficial to everyone. Wherever possible FORA will avoid complete removal by trimming trees and using hand held detection devices to identify potential munitions. However in some areas it will be necessary to remove the complete tree to get beneath the root ball. Extensive vegetation cutting is necessary for the Residential Quality Assurance Pilot Study and trees will be removed in this 17 acre area (please see map on this page).
Q: In future residential areas how far beneath the surface will clearance go?
A: Munitions detection and clearance will go to the depth detected. For example, if an item is detected four feet below the surface than clearance will be at four feet. FORA will use the results of the RQA Pilot Study to confirm detection and clearance results.
Q:With all the vegetation cutting and brush removal, what happens to the wildlife that make their home in these areas?
A: The FORA ESCA RP work is being conducted in compliance with the Fort Ord Installation Wide Multi-Species Habitat Management Plan and the related U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s reviewed Biological Opinions. Prior to field work in these areas Qualified Biologists conduct baseline surveys, as well as subsequent surveys to confirm re-establishment of sensitive plant species and native vegetation. For example, work does not occur at night during the wet season when/where California tiger salamanders (CTS) may be migrating. Qualified Biologists are authorized to handle CTS, if encountered, and place them in a safe habitat. Slow-moving animals that are not sensitive are voluntarily re-located when encountered in work areas.
Q: Is the ESCA Remediation Program Environmental Protection Policy (EPP) with AIG still secure, given the company’s current financial predicament?
A: The EPP policy is underwritten by American International Specialty Lines Insurance Company (AISLIC). As a subsidiary of AIG, this insurance company is highly regulated and operates separately from the financial division of the parent company. For further information on AIG and the regulations they must adhere to, please visit the following websites: www.aig.com/commercialinsurance; www.ins.state.ny.us/press/2008/p0809222.htm

A: In 2008 ESCA RP field crews completed the munitions remediation work started by the Army thereby allowing the General Jim Moore Boulevard realignment to begin. The majority of the earthwork will be completed by the end of the summer. When that work is complete the construction of the street improvements will occur as soon as possible and are estimated to be complete by mid-2010.
Q: What are the requirements for a community person to obtain a Vehicle Access Permit for to drive on ESCA properties?
A: Vehicle permits are only issued to personnel needing to drive through ESCA properties on official business (i.e., FORA, ESCA RP Team, Army, BLM staff and BLM volunteers, event organizers) and will include specific information on the permit such as event time, date, and expiration time/date for use of permit. Signs have been posted on ESCA roads advising when Vehicle Access Permits are needed.
Q: As a recreational user, where can I get information regarding accessible areas on the FORA ESCA properties?
A: Maps indicating access corridors and current work areas are available on (this page of) the ESCA RP website. Maps are also posted on FORA kiosks located at the following trailheads: 1) 8th Avenue and Gigling Road; 2) Inter-Garrison Road and Schoonover Drive; and 3) Parker Flats Cut-off and Parker Flats Road. For questions about specific trails please call the ESCA Hotline at 831-883-3506.
Q: I’m planning an outing that will take me through some of the trails on the ESCA properties. Are there any precautions I should take?
A: The same safety precautions one would take on a hike or bike ride through the wilderness should be observed when on the ESCA properties. At a minimum, be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and carry water, something to eat (such as an energy bar), sunscreen, a hat, a map, and a cell phone in the event of an emergency. Please also adhere to any restrictions on the property. Safety is one of FORA’s primary concerns and any restrictions that are in place are there for your protection.
Q: How can we help curb illegal dumping?
A: Please join FORA, the Army and Bureau of Land Management on Saturday, October 24th for cleanup day. For more information contact the ESCA Hotline: 831-883-3506.
Q: Can our group clean up illegal dumping ourselves?
A: For safety reasons we request that individuals do not initiate illegal dumping cleanup activities by themselves. From time to time FORA with organizes cleanup days and would welcome your participation.
Q: Who should we call if we see garbage dumped or see illegal dumping in progress?
A: If you observe someone illegally dumping, contact the police department immediately (911). Record the license plate number and description of the vehicle and person(s) involved, the date and time of the incident, and the exact location. Do not approach the person(s). If you encounter an illegal dump site by a roadside, please contact the Monterey County Public Works Dept. (831-755-4800).
Q: What are the consequences of illegal dumping to recreational users? Will FORA ESCA RP close trails if illegal dumping continues?
A: We have closed and locked a gate at Inter-Garrison Road to stop the illegal dumping in this area. At this time we are not considering closing other gates or trails. However, illegal dumping does divert resources from the cleanup and poses a direct threat to human health and safety.
Q: After the No Further Action recommendation for County North is approved, when will those areas become accessible for recreational use?
A: Once the No Further Action Approval Memo is publish in final format, we anticipate being able to begin the process to open County North for recreational use.
Q: Where is the most up-to-date information on the ESCA RP?
A: The FORA ESCA Hotline (831-883-3506) is updated weekly with information on filed activities, events and meetings. The ESCA RP website (www.fora-esca-rp.com - this website) houses all the information on the ESCA RP including links to program documents, an archive of past presentations and newsletters, and maps of current work areas. The ESCA RP also maintains an email distribution list; please email esca@fora.org for more information.
Q: How often does the ESCA RP hold community meetings and what do they cover?
A: The FORA ESCA RP holds Informal Community Workshops two to three times a year. Typically these workshops focus on current field activities and updates on document progress. During poster sessions participants have the opportunity to talk to the team members and ask specific questions.
Q: Does the ESCA RP have regularly scheduled meetings?
A: Every month The ESCA RP hosts the Fort Ord Users Working Group Meetings. Members of this group focus on program aspects, working collaboratively with FORA, the Fort Ord Users Working Group helped to develop the Access Routes allowing people continued access on hiking and biking trails.