Army National Guard plans response at century-old Eagle Mountain munitions site
An investigation and mitigation response will soon be underway in Eagle Mountain at a site believed to have been used for military training nearly a century ago.
The Golden Eagle North Munitions Response Site (MRS), a 51-acre parcel of land adjacent to The Ranches neighborhood, is the focus of a Remedial Investigation launched by the Army National Guard Directorate and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The investigation follows a 2016 report by a local resident whose son discovered metallic debris resembling old munitions while using a metal detector on a nearby hillside. A subsequent site visit confirmed the presence of munitions-related debris, prompting the Utah National Guard to refer the location to the compliance cleanup Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP).
“We understand that military training, especially some of the munitions and training methods in our history, have some environmental impact,” said Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber, Public Affairs Officer for the Utah National Guard. “With regards to the Golden Eagle North site we are committed to assisting the US Army Corps of Engineers as they investigate the MRS to determine the best response and ensure the site is clean, and safe.”
The area was later divided into two sites—Golden Eagle North and Golden Eagle South—though only the northern site has been found to contain munitions debris. The MRS is located about 2.5 miles south of the Camp Williams Installation boundary and includes mostly undeveloped City-owned land, along with a small portion of private property.
Historical records suggest the land was used for military activities from the early 1920s through 1940, during the interwar period between World War I and World War II. While no military structures remain on the site, investigators believe munitions such as 37-millimeter and 75-millimeter projectiles may have been used in training exercises.
The Remedial Investigation (RI), now in progress, is designed to determine whether historical Department of Defense activities have had any lasting environmental impact due to munitions of concern. If such impacts are identified, the RI will also assess the scope of cleanup or remediation required to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.
“Our primary concern is to ensure we help remediate any potential environmental impact that may have been caused by historic military training,” says Kroeber.
The cleanup effort is being conducted under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
The law outlines a step-by-step process for investigating and, if necessary, remediating sites linked to past industrial or military use.
While the land is largely undeveloped, its proximity to homes makes public safety a top concern. Eagle Mountain has been cooperating with state and federal agencies to support the investigation and ensure residents are kept informed.
“It is critical that our military units retain lands and natural resources so we can train to protect our nation, and fight and win wars,” Kroeber said.
This readiness requires us to be wise stewards of the natural resources entrusted to us. We want to ensure that these resources are managed and used in a sustainable way that balances our training requirements with our duty to protect and conserve our precious natural resources.”
No evacuations or closures are currently planned, and officials with the Utah National Guard emphasize that there is no immediate threat to the public. However, the Army National Guard encourages residents to avoid entering undeveloped areas of the Golden Eagle North MRS until the investigation is complete and the site is deemed safe.
Once the Remedial Investigation is complete, a detailed report will be released outlining the findings and any proposed actions. If cleanup is required, additional community outreach will take place to share the timeline, methods, and safety measures with residents and property owners near the site.