Fundraising for Fort Ord
Please help us!
By Pat Elder
April 15, 2025
In October, 2025 a group of veterans, scientists, doctors, and activists will descend on the former Fort Ord to collect environmental samples of groundwater, tap water, soil, and air. They will hold a press conference on dangerous levels of toxins at the former Fort Ord and the cities of Seaside and Marina. Could you help us pay for the testing?
The former Fort Ord, located on the California coast about 100 miles south of San Francisco, is one of the most severely contaminated sites in the country. The former Army base was added to the EPA’s Superfund National Priorities List in 1990 due to extensive pollution from a century of military activity. 1.5 million men and women trained here throughout most of the 20th century and many thousands became deathly ill.
The Army was careless and knew it was poisoning soldiers and their dependents while the VA has summarily denied compensation to many who have asked for help.
The base is contaminated with a host of deadly substances. Volatile organic compounds like Trichloroethylene, Carbon Tetrachloride, and Perchloroethylene contaminate groundwater and poison the air in commercial and residential locations. The Army says there’s no concern while officials in Seaside and Marina pretend there’s no problem and continue to allow new building projects.
The entire area is profoundly impacted with PFAS at several dozen locations. Official statements assure the public there is no concern, while the soil, groundwater, the air, and Monterey Bay are impacted forever. The groundwater is highly contaminated with PFAS. Like volatile organic compounds, PFAS may lift into the air. The carcinogens settle in dust and in our homes as dust. The response by the city of Seaside is to only allow commercial spaces on the bottom floor of mixed-used developments while private residences are limited to the second floor and above in the area of the former fire department and burn pit.
Additionally, Agent Orange was sprayed over 9,000 acres, beginning in 1951. There is documented evidence indicating that 2,4,5-T, the ingredient in Agent Orange that contains dioxin, was used at Fort Ord after its ban in 1985. A 1991 assessment reported that Fort Ord used approximately 80,000 pounds of herbicides annually, including sprays containing 2,4,5-T.
The Army used all of these pesticides at Fort Ord, knowing that many were deadly.
A 1994 DOD report reveals the Army used and stored depleted uranium munitions at Fort Ord. The obscure document details the use of ten different types of radioactive materials on Fort Ord. The Army says it suspected radioactive materials were used or stored at 347 buildings on the base. Many of these radionuclides poison the air, soil, and groundwater.
Fantastic concentrations of lead are found in sand dunes throughout the area from multiple firing ranges. The lead becomes airborne when the wind blows, endangering those walking the trails. The Army doesn’t care about you.
It’s the synergistic effect of all these types of toxins that have made so many sick. (Allow the spreadsheet to download.)
Our concerned group of sick veterans, family members, and community members feel it is necessary to do our own independent testing to verify the claims of various government entities.
Could you help us pay for environmental testing? Please contribute. If you like to make a large, tax deductible check, we can accommodate you. We need $15,000 - $20,000 to do this.