Letter to Editor: Missouri Valley Missle Base

Letter to Editor

Enviromental contamination at former missle base

Dear Members of the Harrison County Home and Public Health Department and the Harrison County Board of Supervisors:

I am writing to formally request your immediate involvement regarding the environmental contamination at the former Offutt Atlas D Missile Site 3. Despite my previous outreach over the past year, I have not yet received a response.

In consultation with the USACE, the Iowa DNR, and local residents, my investigation has confirmed significant health concerns and documented high levels of trichlor-oethylene (TCE) in the local water supply. As shown in the attached table, several residential wells exceed the 5ppb screening level, with recorded concentrations reaching 6, 33, 87, and 110 ppb.

As the officials responsible for public safety in Harrison County, I request that you implement the following measures:

1. Coordinate two TCE and cancer screenings for Harrison County residents through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

2. Mandate TCE testing for all wells within a 6-mile radius of the former Offutt Air Force Base Missile Site 3.

3. Participate in the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB).

4. Pursue grants to acquire contaminated land for conservation purposes.

5. Provide tax relief for affected individuals who are unable to build, sell, or safely inhabit their properties due to this contamination.

I urge you to contact the USACE and participate in the remediation process. Please see the attached RAB meeting handbook for information regarding the formation of the RAB and your participation as community leaders.

Additionally, I have included the Harrison County Comprehensive Plan, which the Board of Supervisors previously indicated would be amended to reflect the contaminated areas.

I have also attached the 2025 Residential Mass Appraisal Report and a letter regarding the necessity of agricultural testing to protect local farmers from liability.

I look forward to your prompt attention to this urgent public health matter and request a formal response to the residents of Harrison County by July 1, 2026.

Mari Jo Mentzer, Missouri Valley

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a copy of a letter recently submitted to the Harrison County Board of Health and the Harrison County Board of Supervisors. That letter also included supporting documents.