Base Closure

The Department of Defense (DOD) recommended, and the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission confirmed the closure of the Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant (RBAAP) and transfer of property by September 2011.  It is located in northern California, six miles northeast of downtown Modesto, at 5300 Claus Road in the limits of the City of Riverbank, Stanislaus County, California. 

The RBAAP is comprised of 172 acres, 830,000 square feet of industrial buildings, and a 23 acre out-parcel near the river.  There are 109 buildings, water and wastewater treatment systems, six miles of paved roads and five miles of railroad tracks.  In addition to the production of and storage of ammunition related functions, several facilities are leased out to 13 industrial businesses.

The DOD identified 11 contaminated sites in 1979, was named to the National Priority List in 1990, and all but three of the sites have been fully remediated to industrial standards and obtained a “No Further Action” status.  The three remaining sites are the landfill, ground water treatment plant, and the waste water treatment plant that contain cyanide and chromium contamination.  The abandoned 5 acre landfill, likely to have a deed restriction, has been capped and the down gradient wells will continue to be monitored indefinitely.
 
The BRAC Commission Report estimates that the closure of the RBAAP will contribute to a loss of 89 direct jobs (0 military, 4 civilian, 85 contractors) for the Army.  Additionally, 146 jobs from the 13 business tenants on site will likely be impacted, with an estimate of 122 additional indirect jobs also at risk throughout the community. 

Given these economic challenges, redevelopment planning for the RBAAP is of utmost importance to the community and implementation of the redevelopment efforts will require significant local attention and assistance.  The City of Riverbank under the Riverbank Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) will oversee the redevelopment planning process.  Its members are the City of Riverbank Mayor Chris Crifasi, Vice Mayor Virginia Madueno, Councilmember Sandra Benitez, Councilmember Kathy Anaya, and Councilmember Dave White.  The planning firm Design, Community & Environment is assisting with the preparation of the reuse plan.  The LRA is dedicated to turning this negative impact into a positive growth of jobs and economic growth to the community.