Tomales Bay Abbotts Lagoon Bombing Range ... - Corpsfuds.org

SITE NAMES:
Tomales Bay Bombing: Target
SITE SURVEY SUMMARY SHEET
FOR
DEW-FUDS SITE NO. J09CA7292
TOMAlLES BAYiABBOTT'S LAGOON BOMBING RANGE
Some of the names that have been used for the Tomales Bay site are the Tomales Bay
Bombing Target Near Hog Island, Tomales Bay, the Tomales Bay Target Area, and "Bombing
Target Number One". The site will be referred to as the Tomales Bay Bombing Target for the
remainder of this report.
Abbott's Lagoon Bombing Target
The site located in Abbott's Lagoon also had several different names, including Abbott's
Lagoon Bombing Target, Abbott's Lagoon, Abbott's Lagoon Target Area, Abbott's Lagoon
Bombing Range, and "Bombing Target Number Two". For the remainder of this report, the site
will be referred to as Abbott's Lagoon Bombing Target.
Tomales Point Aerial Mine Laying Range
There was also an area west of Tomales Point, known as the Tomales Point Aerial Mine
Laying Range, which is the name that will be used to describe the site for the remainder of this
report.
LOCATION: .
All of the sites are located within the Point Reyes National Seashore, in Marin County,
California, approximately 30 miles north of San Francisco. The Tomales Bay target is located just
north of Hog Island in Tomales Bay. Abbott's Lagoon is located between Pierce Point Road and
the Pacific Ocean. A short hiking trail provides access to the road east of the lagoon, and a sand
bar separates the lagoon from the Pacific Ocean to the west. The Tomales Point Aerial Mine -
Laying Range is located due west of Tomales Point, in the Pacific Ocean (See Figure I).

IYPR, Tomales Bay Bombing Target
SITE HISTORY:
During and after World War 11,Point Reyes hosted training in skip bombing, dive bombing,
landing barge practice, and air sea rescue. Dive bombers operating from Hamilton Army Air Field
(AAF), Santa Rosa AAF, and Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda practiced in the waters of Drakes
Bay, Abbott's Lagoon, and Tomales Bay. The pilots also frred at towed and fixed targets on the
high seas west of Tomales Point.
Tomales Bay Bombing; Tarpet:
A bombing target was located very near or on Hog Island in Tomales Bay. The water-borne
target was constructed in Tomales Bay (Lat. 38' 12' 20.839" North, Long. 122' 56' 10.349" West)
under Contract Noy 4165. The danger zone for this target was 750 yards in radius and was located
2,000 yards, 129 degrees true from the southwesterly extremity of Tom Point. See Figure 2 for the
layout of Tomales Point/Abbotts Lagoon and the neighboring areas (Techlaw Inc., Preliminary
Assessment Report, Drakes Bay, 31 July 1998).
Navy aircraft used two types of practice bombs at this range. The first type was a miniature
(three to five pound) bomb with a marker charge similar to a shotgun shell. The second was a
water bomb consisting of a light metal shell filled with water. No explosives were used. A U.S.
Army corps of Engineers(USACE) representative concluded that missiles' dropped in the bay
would have sunk into the mud to a depth sufficient to preclude endangering any small craft
navigating the area. It was determined that no further precautionary measures were necessary
(Techlaw Inc., Preliminary Assessment Report, Drakes Bay, 31 July 1998).
In 1952, when the Crows Landing, California target ranges were to be activated, the
Government initiated action to cancel the lease for the ground rights to the Tomales Bay Bombing
Target (Baker One). A storm sank the target at Tomales Bay, so no restoration was anticipated.
On 21 May 1952 the Air Space Subcornmittee(Bureau of Aeronautics), Western District canceled
the air space danger areas covering the Tomales Bay Bombing Target. Since no hazardous
exposure pathway exists, no Department of Defense Action is Indicated (NDAI) for this area.
2

IPJPR, Tomales Bay Bombing Target
Abbott's Lagoon Bombing Target:
On 19 March 1941, the commanding officer at NAS Alameda requested that a permit be
granted by the State Lands Commission (SLC) authorizing the Navy to use the southern portion of
Abbott's Lagoon for dive bombing practice. On 4 April 1941, the SLC consented to the use of
Abbott's Lagoon for dive bombing practice by the United States. Revocable Permit No. 40 took
effect on 4 April 1941 and ended 4 April 1946, giving the United States the legal right to use the
southern portion of the lagoon. The target area was approximately one half mile in diameter.
NAS Alameda referred to the bombing target in the southern finger of Abbotts Lagoon as
"Bombing Target Number Two." According to U.S. Navy records, the State of California
permitted the Navy the use of this portion of Abbotts Lagoon for the construction and maintenance
of target facilities in connection with bombing activities at NAS Alameda under permit number
Noy(R)-54848 (Techlaw Inc., Preliminary Assessment Report, Drakes Bay, 31 July 1998).
Pilots from the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy dropped practice bombs at this pyramid shaped
target. The sides of the target were approximately 25 feet long, and it was anchored in the middle
of the southern portion of the lagoon. Practice bombs that struck the target left white stains that
washed away when it rained (Techlaw Inc., Preliminary Assessment Report, Drakes Bay, 3 1 July
1998). During the 1940s, Mr. Charlie Zetterquist, a longtime resident of the area whose father
worked at the Point Reyes Lighthouse in the 1930s and 40s, found practice bombs approximately
one foot long that were used at this range. The bombs had hollow wooden bodies, lead tips, and
tin fins. Mr. Zetterquist also found hollow metal bombs approximately two feet long. These
practice bombs were found on Point Reyes Beach and on the sandy bottom of the lagoon after it
had drained. The water level in Abbotts Lagoon drops significantly when storms break down the
sand bar that encloses the lagoon.
On 13April 1946, a resolution was adopted by the SLC authorizing the issuance to the U.S.
Navy of a five year permit with no renewal privilege, thus extending the use of the Abbotts Lagoon
Bombing Target through 3 April 195 1. In 195 1, the permit was once again extended for five years
' through 3 April 1956. In 1952, when the Crows Landing Target Ranges were to be activated, the
Government initiated the cancellation of the lease for the ground rights to the Abbott's Lagoon
Bombing Target. On 21 May 1952, the Air Space Subcommittee(Bureau of Aeronautics), Western
District canceled the air space danger areas covering the Abbott's Lagoon Bombing Target. It
3

INPR, Tomales Bay Bombing Target
appears that the Abbott's Lagoon Bombing Target was not used after that date. Since no
hazardous exposure pathway exists, no Department of Defense Action is Indicated (NDAI) for this
area.
Tomales Point Aerial Mine Laving - Range: -
On 16 October 1956, Tomales Point Aerial Mine Laying Range was established west of
Tomales Point. It covered an area approximately 28,000 feet long and varied from 7,000 to 12,000
feet in width and was located more than 100 yards from the shoreline. No explosives were to be
used. During mine laying exercises, wooden markers three inches in diameter, 14 inches long, and
weighing approximately five pounds were dropped into the Pacific Ocean. The wooden markers
contained a small quantity of chemicals that produced smoke upon contact with salt water.
Prior to March 1957, three rake stations were established to observe the exercises at the
Tomales Point Aerial Mine Laying Range. They were to be known as Monuments Dave, Goat,
and John (NAS Alameda, 15 March 1957). To date no leases permitting Government use of these
properties have been located.
The Tomales Point Aerial Mine Laying Range is not eligible for DERP-FUDS funding.
Since the range is beyond 100 yards of the mean high tide, it is an ineligible property under the
DERP-FUDS Manual, July 1996, Section 3.2b(l), "clean-up of off-shore ordnance properties,
beyond 100 yards of mean high tide, will not be eligible, except in special cases where a public
exposure pathway exists." Since no such pathway exists for the Tomales Point Aerial Mine Laying
Range, the property is ineligible.
SIm VISIT:
Two site visits were conducted at each site. The first occurred on 8 April 1998 when
TechLaw Inc. (TechLaw) was contracted by the USACE to prepare a Preliminary Assessment
Report (PAR) for the sites. The second visit occurred on 29 April 1999 when USACE
representatives visited the site.
TechLaw
4

INPR, Tomales Bay Bombing; Target 5
Messrs. Gene Barber and Steven Clonts of TechLaw began the site visit on the east side of
Tomales Bay. TechLaw then proceeded to the area just east of Hog Island and viewed the area
near the location of the Tomales Bay Bombing Target. Tomales Bay is a very shallow body of
water, and TechLaw observed that at low tide several fishing boats were left in the mud. The
southern end of the bay is the most shallow. Oyster farms are located in this area. There are
motels, a few small marinas, and a yacht club on the western side of the bay. TechLaw finished
the site visit at Abbotts Lagoon. The trail to Abbotts Lagoon is bordered by a cattle ranch and
appears to be less frequently traveled than the trails on the headlands.
As a result of the site visit, Techlaw developed the following conclusions:
The Point Reyes National Seashore is widely used by the public for recreational
purposes, and the historic cattle ranches and dairies are still in operation over most of
the site.
The trails on the Point Reyes headlands are heavily traveled by park visitors.
All of the bombing targets referenced in this report have been removed.
Several of the structures historically utilized by the Government still stand on the
Point Reyes National Seashore.
No evidence was discovered of live ordnance at any of the aerial bombing target areas
investigated (TechLaw Inc., 1998).
USACE. Environmental Design Section (EDS):
The site visit for the USACE was conducted on 29 April 1999, by Ms. Tracie Billington and
Mr. Scott Duen of the USACE, and Mr. Clinton Huckins, USACE Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)
Safety Specialist from Fort Ord, California.
The USACE representatives arrived at Pierce Point Ranch, and then hiked up Tomales Point
trail to the north, to get a better view of the Tomales Bay Bombing Target location. From the top
of the hill just east of the trail, Hog Island and all of Tomales Bay could easily be seen to the east,
and the general area where Tornales Point Aerial Mine Laying Range existed could be seen to the
west. Two photos were taken of Hogs Island and the bay (Photograghs 1&2). A Global
Positioning System (GPS) instrument was used to obtain the coordinates of the location on top of
the hill overlooking the bay. The reading that was recorded at this location was Lat. 38" 11'North

INPR, Tomales Bay Bombing Target
and Long. 122' 57'West. The coordinates listed by the NAB, 12' Naval Dist., for the Tomales
Bay Bombing Target (Target No. 1) was Lat. 38" 12'North and Long. 122' 56'West. The batteries
were running low on the instrument, so the coordinates were not accurate down to the seconds and
the elevation could not be determined.
Abbott's Lagoon is located off of Pierce Point Road. The USACE team hiked the quarter
mile trail out to the lagoon from the road. No GPS reading was obtained due to low batteries. A
random visual and geophysical survey of the area was performed by Mr. Huckins using a
Schonstedt Model GA-52Cx fluxgate magnetometer, but no ferrous anomalies were found.
CATEGORY OF HAZARD: NDAI
AVAILABLE STUDIES AND REPORTS:
1. Techlaw Inc., Lakewood, Colorado. Preliminary Assessment Report, Drakes Bay, dated July
3 1, 1998. Contract No. DACW05-95-D-0004, Task Order No. 0009, prepared for the
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, Sacramento, California.
PA POC: Mr. William Mullery, CESPK-ED-EB, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento
District, (916) 557-6944.
RAC FORM: Attached
DISTRICT POC: Mr. William Mullery, CESPK-ED-EB, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Sacramento District, (916) 557-6944.
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DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROGRAM
FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITES
FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS OF ELIGIBILITY
TOMALES BAY BOMBING TARGETIABBOTT'S LAGOON BOMBING TARGET
MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
SITE NO. J09CA7292
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. Tomales Bay Bombing Target was located in Marin County at a Latitude of 38' 12'N d d a
Longitude of 122'56'W near or one Hog Island. A water-borne target was constructed in
Tomales Bay under Contract Noy 4165. On 16 October 1956, Tomales Point Aerial Mine Laying
Range was establtshed west of Tomales Point. It covered an area approximately 28,000 feet long
and varied from 7,000 to 12,000 feet in width and was located more than 100 yards from the
shoreline. Abbott7s Lagoon Bombing Target was also located in Marin County in the southern
portion of Abbott's Lagoon. Revocable Permit No. 40 was granted by the State Lands
Commission and took effect on 4 April 1941, granting the U.S. the legal right to use the southern
portion of Abbott's Lagoon.
2. At the Tomales Bay Bombing Target Navy Aircraft used two types of practice bombs at this
range. The first type was a miniature bomb with a marker charge similar to a shotgun shell. The
second was a water bomb consisting of a light metal shell filled with water. No explosives were
used. A public notice by the United States Engineer Office, San Francisco, dated June 4, 1941
declared Tomales Bay Bombing Target a danger zone. The danger zone had a 750-yard radius
and was located 2,000 yards, 129 degrees true from the southwesterly extremity of Tomales
Point. At Tomales Point Aerial Mine Laying Range wooden markers three inches in diameter, 14
inches long, and weighing approximately five pounds were dropped into the Pacific Ocean.
Abbott's Lagoon Bombing Target was also a practice bombing target where U.S. Army and Navy
pilots would drop practice bombs at a pyramid shaped target with sides that were approximately
25 feet long.. This target was anchored in the middle of the southern portion of the lagoon.
When the practice bombs struck the target they left white stains that washed away when it rained.
3. A memorandum from Commander Fleet Air, Alarneda to Commander Naval Air bases,
Twelfth Naval District lists Tomales and ~bbott's'~a~oon as targets for Permanent Retention.

DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROGRAM
FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITES
FINDINGS AND DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY
TOMALES BAY BOMBING TARGETIABBOTT'S LAGOON BOMBING
TARGET
MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
SITE NO. J09CA729200
FINDINGS OF FACT
However, a memorandum form the Commander Fleet Ax Alameda, dated 4 March 1952,
stated that when the target ranges at Crows Landing were activated, the government
would initiate action to cancel the leases for the ground rights to the Tomales Bay
Bombing Target and the Abbott's Lagoon Bombing Target. On 21 May 1952, the Air
Space Subcommittee, a division of the Bureau of Aeronautics canceled the air space
danger areas covering the two target areas. No leases have been located pertaining to
these three bombing targets.
DETERMINATION
Based on the foregoing findings of fact, Tomales Bay Bombing Target and Abbott's
Lagoon Bombing Target have been determined to be formerly used by the Department of
Defense @OD). Therefore these portions of the Tomales ~a~l~b'bott's Lagoon Bombing
Target are eligible for the Defense Environmental Restoration Program for Formerly
Used Defense Sites established under 10 U.S.C. 2701 et Seq.
/ Commanding

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SITELOCATION I
NOTES:
REF: TECHLAW, INC.
TASK ORDER NO. 0009
i

lax
All Locations Arc Approximntc
1. Old Point Rcycs Lifcsaving Station nnd Auxiliary Lnnding
2. U.S. Coast Gunrd Lifeboat Station
3. U.S. Coast Gunrd Dwclling
4. U.S. Const Gunrd Lookout
5. Rake St a I'~ons
6. "A" Rnnch Barrncks. DPF.Radar, Water Towcr, and Pnint Racks
Ga. Point Rcycs Lighthouse
7. "I3" Rnnch I3nrrncks
8. Rnder
9. RCA Radio Stnlion nnd Barracks
10. Drnkcs Bay Divc Bombing Rnngc nnd Proposed Aerinl Minc Lnying Arca
1 I. Cnmp I Iydlc Skip nnd Divc Bombing Rnngc
12. Cnmp I Iydlc
13. Cnnlp Mydlc Tnrgct Prncticc Arcn
14. Wildcat Militety Rescrvnlion
15. Tomnlcs Bny Bombing Tnrget Near Hog Island
I G. Proposed Dillon Bcach Bombing Tnrget
17. Tomalcs Point Acrinl Minc Laying Rnngc
18. Abbotls Lngoon Bombing Tnrgct
Figure 2
MAP DEPICTING GOVERNMENT
FACILITIES AT DRAKES BAY