gists enlisted the help of several governmental
time, the Army and other Federal and state agen-
agencies. For over 10 years waterfowl carcasses
cies have been involved in identifying the cause
were collected from the Flats and sent to various
of the waterfowl mortality problem. By 1991, it
labs for analysis. The results were always the
was concluded that unoxidized white phospho-
same, inconclusive. In May of 1990 CRREL was
rus (WP) particles within the ERF sediment were
causing waterfowl mortality. This concern has
brought into the investigation because of their
stimulated efforts toward the development of an
expertise with explosive compounds. With a little
effective repellent to reduce or eliminate water-
luck and a lot of hard work, CRREL, by the end of
fowl mortality caused from WP in ERF. This study
the 1990 field season, identified the agent respon-
evaluates a methyl anthranilate (MA) bead form-
sible for the waterfowl mortality as white phos-
ulation in a simulated pond setting to determine
phorus, which is used in military smoke and
the effects on mallard feeding behavior and mor-
marking rounds. With this discovery comes the
tality of mallards feeding in a WP contaminated
overwhelming task of evaluating the human and
area on ERF. The experiment was conducted
ecological risks posed by this toxic material and
between 0800 and 1600 hours for a 7-day pre-
trying to find effective methodologies for resolv-
treatment and a 10-day treatment period. The
ing or remediating the contamination problem.
bead matrix was designed to settle to the bottom
of the pool and only release MA when broken by
Gossweiler, W.A., C.M. Collins, and J.L. Gus-
feeding mallards. The bead formula was applied
mano (1995) Fort Richardson multi-agency site
at 21.7 kg/ha or about 7 beads/cm2 so that mal-
investigation. In Proceedings, 21st Environmental
lards would encounter it when feeding off the
Symposium & Exhibition of American Defense Pre-
bottom. It was effective in reducing time mallards
paredness Association, 1821 April, San Diego, Cali-
spent in pools (p ≤ 0.01). The average number of
fornia, p. 331343.
minutes mallards spent in pools decreased to
The Eagle River Flats (ERF) is an estuarine salt
below pre-treatment levels. Field tests in a WP-
marsh in the northwest sector of Fort Richardson.
contaminated area on ERF with the same formu-
Fort Richardson's 55,000 acres include a central
lation and application rate indicate that mortality
cantonment area surrounded by ranges and im-
to ducks continuously exposed to WP-contami-
pact and maneuver areas to the north, east, and
nated sediment was about 60% lower in treated
south. The Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) and
pens within the first 24 hours after treatment. At
Elmendorf Air Force Base (AFB) lie west of Fort
the conclusion of the test, 144 hours after treat-
Richardson.
ment, mortality was 50% lower in treated pens. In
The ERF has been used as the primary ordnance
a free-ranging situation, it is anticipated that the
impact area for Fort Richardson since the mid-
relative risk of poisoning in MA treated areas
1940s. The ERF is a 2165-acre wetland within Fort
would decrease if ducks could leave the area.
Richardson at the mouth of Eagle River, adjacent
to Upper Cook Inlet. It is an important staging
Gossweiler, W.A. (1994) Eagle River Flats--An
ground for several species of waterfowl, including
Army environmental rescue operation. In Pro-
ducks, geese, and swans, during spring and fall
ceedings, SETAC 15th Annual Meeting, 30 October
migrations. During the peak migration periods,
3 November, Denver, Colorado, p. 2.
the waterfowl population may total 3000 to 5000.
The Eagle River Flats is a highly productive
In 1980, U.S. Army biologist first noticed an
and complex wetland at the mouth of Eagle
unusually high number of waterfowl carcasses,
River, in Alaska's Cook Inlet. The entire wetland
including several dead swans, in the ERF marshes.
is contained within the Fort Richardson Army
Between 1982 and 1985, random ground searches
installation. Like other wetlands in the area, it
were conducted at the ERF by the U.S. Army, the
serves as an important staging and feeding
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the
ground for thousands of waterfowl and shore-
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG).
birds. The Eagle River Flats has also been used as
The discovery of abnormally high numbers of
the primary ordnance impact area on Fort Rich-
dead waterfowl during the searches indicated that
ardson since 1949. In the late summer of 1982,
a potentially serious problem existed. The dead
Army biologists discovered the remains of an
and dying waterfowl were looked for and
unusually high number of dead waterfowl on the
observed in several areas, including those referred
Flats. Convinced that a serious and chronic prob-
to as Areas A, B, C, and D.
lem was present in the wetlands, the Army biolo-
To approach the problem in an organized and
24
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