The Defense Department has delayed the cleanup timelines for nearly 200 U.S. military locations by an average of about a decade, according to an analysis by NOTUS. The delays affect sites in 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and include 15 sites where PFAS contamination has spread into nearby drinking-water systems at levels deemed unsafe by federal regulators.
At Camp Grayling, a Michigan National Guard training site, cleanup preparation is now projected to extend until 2043, which is 10 to 15 years longer than previously estimated. Ray Basile, community co-chair for the Camp Grayling Restoration Advisory Board, stated, "The longer you delay, the more damage is caused."
In mid-May to early June, the Department of Defense removed the previous cleanup schedule from its website and published new timelines indicating delays ranging from one to 20 years across 178 sites. This is the second time the Defense Department has updated cleanup plans without public announcement.
Currently, 54 military sites have confirmed health risks due to PFAS, with significant delays affecting 15 of these locations. For instance, cleanup in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, is now expected to be completed in 2043 instead of 2030, while Lucas County, Ohio, faces a 13-year delay to 2044. In Pima County, Arizona, the new cleanup date is 2047.
The Pentagon's timelines do not include end dates for completing the cleanup. In Grayling, Michigan, a PFAS plume is moving toward the town's water source and a river feeding into Lake Huron. The mayor has requested federal assistance to prevent further contamination, with the estimated cost for a new well at $2 million.
The Pentagon has informed Congress that it is assisting affected communities in accessing safe drinking water during the cleanup process. However, lawmakers have expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the delays. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) criticized the Trump administration for the delays, calling them "reckless, dangerous, and unacceptable."
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment and human body. They have been linked to various health issues, including certain cancers and immune-system effects. The military is a significant source of PFAS contamination, primarily from firefighting foams used at airfields and training facilities. The Defense Department has identified nearly 600 installations that may require cleanup due to this pollution.