Frequently Asked Questions

Q: WHO OPERATES RFAAP?
A: BAE Systems became the operating contractor on July 1, 2012.

Q: HOW LARGE IS THE FACILITY?
A: RFAAP spans more than 4,100 acres at its main plant – with 1,038 buildings and 214 igloos providing 657,000 square feet of storage, and 2,800 acres in the New River Unit.

Q: WHAT DOES RFAAP PRODUCE?
A: It is involved in the manufacture, development, and testing of energetics, single-based propellants.

Q: HOW MUCH HAS THE ARMY INVESTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS?
A: In the last decade, the Army has invested $715 million in environmental improvements.

Q: WHAT MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE?
A:

• Construction of the NACSAC
• 98% acid recycling via NACSAC
• Elimination of the coal-fired powerhouse (2017)
• 50% reduction in open-burning ground waste since 2017
• Planned construction of the new Contaminated Waste Processor (CWP)

Q: IS RFAAP COMPLIANT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS?
A: Yes. The U.S. Army works closely with its contractor and government agencies to comply with all environmental permits and regulations. In rare instances where permit limits are exceeded, this is communicated to the pertinent regulatory agency as required by the applicable permit.

Q: HOW MUCH WASTE IS RECYCLED OR REUSED?
A: In 2024, out of all the waste generated, 95.4% of it was either recycled or reused.

Q: HOW DOES RFAAP MONITOR WASTEWATER?
A: In a month, RFAAP gathers 600 total data points and reports all discharges to DEQ and EPA as required.

Q: ARE THE LEVELS OF NITRATES EMITTED IN RFAAP’S WASTEWATER A CONCERN TO PUBLIC HEALTH?
A: No. RFAAP has not had a permit exceedance of nitrates for over a decade. These permit limits are determined using water-quality based standards which protect the receiving body of water.

Q: HOW ARE EMISSIONS MONITORED?
A: RFAAP has continuous emissions monitoring systems at the source, as required by DEQ permits.

Q: HAVE EMISSIONS BEEN REDUCED?
A: Yes. RFAAP reduced emissions substantially (greater than 40%).

Q: ARE PERCHLORATES AN ISSUE?
A: No. A drone study of the open burning ground plumes found chlorate and perchlorate emissions were below detection limits.

NITRIC ACID RAILCAR SPILL (APRIL 2026)
Q: WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE NITRIC ACID SPILL?
A: A weak nitric acid spill occurred at the railcar-unloading area due to a failed gasket on the railcar. RFAAP estimated the spill amount at 6,500 gallons after direct measurement.

Q: WAS THE ENVIRONMENT IMPACTED?
A: No. The spill was contained and neutralized to the railcar area, ensuring no impacts to the environment or threat to public health.

Q: WHAT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS WERE TAKEN?
A:

• Neutralization
• Treat acid spill and removal of affected gravel/soil
• Federal DOT is working with the railcar company

MIXED ACID LEAK (JUNE 2025)
Q: WHAT CAUSED THE MIXED ACID LEAK?
A: It was determined that the cause was a failing sump in the Legacy NC Area.

Q: WAS THE LEAK TREATED?
A: Yes. The acid entered a wastewater line and was able to be treated with lime for neutralization.

Q: WAS SOIL IMPACTED?
A: A small portion of soil was affected – removal and remediation were completed.

Q: HOW SEVERE WAS THE FLOODING?
A: The New River crested at 31 feet, causing historic flooding.

Q: HOW MANY TOTES WERE LOST AND RECOVERED?
A: Ten totes were located, three are outstanding

Q: WHAT SHOULD THE PUBLIC DO IF THEY FIND A TOTE?
A: Please contact the non-emergency line of your respective county’s sheriff’s department.

Q: WILL BAE REPLACE TOTES FOUND BY THE PUBLIC?
A: Yes, BAE will replace it with a new tote of the same volume if confirmed to be RFAAP property.

Q: WHAT CHEMICALS WERE RELEASED DURING THE FLOOD?
A: RFAAP filed the release of petroleum, calcium sulfate, and Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) with Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Q: ARE THE MISSING CHEMICALS DANGEROUS?
A: The materials were heavily diluted by floodwaters; Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) expect it to break down naturally; they do not see a risk. Even if the unrecovered totes were released into the river during the flood event, the volume and velocity of the river during the flood was such that the concentration of DBP would have been extremely low and would not have posed a threat to human health or the environment. The public can review and learn more about the risk evaluation of the DBP release.

Q: WHY IS THE NEW INCINERATOR IMPORTANT?
A: It provides a modern, controlled alternative to open burning and will nearly eliminate the use of the open burning ground.

Q: WHAT IS THE PROJECT STATUS?
A: Construction is in progress with commissioning activities in progress. Completion is expected in September 2027.

Q: WHAT IS THE CONTRACT VALUE?
A: Contract awarded to Parsons Government Services: $145M

Q: WHAT IS THE 27-MILLION-POUND VARIANCE REQUEST?
A: The request is for 27 million lbs. for acid recycling from industry partners.

Q: WHY IS THIS NEEDED?
A: To serve as a secondary resource and allows RFAAP to support if another facility goes down. It also greatly reduces the need to create virgin acids from raw materials thus saving materials and energy.

Q: IS THE PROCESS SAFE?
A: Yes. There are controls in place – material transport and recycling occur within a fully contained process.

Q: ARE THYROID CANCER RATES LINKED TO RFAAP?
A: No. A 2017 Virginia Department of Health review found there is no correlation between thyroid cancer causation.

Q: IS THE PLANT SAFE FOR THE COMMUNITY?
A: Yes. We are diligent about safety and compliance – RFAAP is heavily regulated and maintains stringent safety, permitting, and reporting requirements.

Q: WHAT MODERNIZATION PROJECTS ARE UNDERWAY?
A: No. A 2017 Virginia Department of Health review found there is no correlation between thyroid cancer causation.

• Project will relocate a warehouse outside of the floodplain (USACE-led).
• Project will address equipment repairs and upgrades (BAE-led).