Ceremony Scheduled to Recognize Blackwell Armory is Ready for Reuse

For Immediate Release: January 31, 2017

Contact: Erin Hatfield (405) 702-7119

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced today that the former Blackwell National Guard Armory is now ready for reuse by the City of Blackwell. A special ceremony to recognize the property transfer and cleanup completion will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, February 2, 2017, at the armory located at 615 West Doolin Avenue in Blackwell.

Armories such as the Blackwell facility were cleaned up as part of DEQ’s Site Cleanup Assistance Program (SCAP). Through that program, DEQ evaluates and remediates environmental hazards at surplus National Guard armories. The cleanups allow armories to be safely transferred to local governmental entities.

Environmental issues common to many of the facilities are contamination from indoor firing ranges, lead-based paint, and asbestos. DEQ works closely with local community leaders to ensure their needs are met and these potential hazards are properly remediated prior to reuse.

Cleanups are conducted in cooperation with the Oklahoma Military Department and the Division of Capital Assets Management. More information on SCAP is available at https://www.deq.ok.gov/land-protection-division/cleanup-redevelopment/site-cleanup-assistance/.

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