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

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.