Navy's Openlands Explosives Report, Reopening Recommendations Complete

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Nearly two years after the discovery of historic unexploded ordnance at Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, the Navy has completed a field investigation report and submitted it to state officials.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has accepted and approved the report, which is being prepared for public distribution, representatives of Openlands, the nonprofit the owns the former military base, announced Wednesday.

“Public safety and wellbeing are our top priorities, so it is important to follow each step of the reopening process very carefully," Openlands President and CEO Jerry Adelmann said in a statement. "We are pleased with this key step toward reopening the Preserve."

The Navy's Historic Document Review and Field Investigation Report for Openlands Lakeshore Preserve contains a series of safety measures recommended by the Navy prior to the reopening of the preserve.

Openlands representatives have pledged to work collaboratively with Navy officials to implement all recommended steps.

The 77-acre Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, located on the site of the former Fort Sheridan military base, has been closed since the discovery of a trio of military artifacts in April 2021.

At first, Defense Department officials determined that the discoveries were "anomalies" and did not require any more investigation. But Openlands brought in contracts with bomb-sniffing dogs, who discovered another "area of interest" the following month. That led city officials to request an on-site investigation from the military.

The Navy issued a contract to the firm Tetra Tech to study the site, with expectations it would be complete by the summer of 2022. Last fall, Openlands officials announced they were preparing to draw up a site reopening plan.

According to Wednesday's announcement, state and federal officials have not provided a date on which the Navy's report will be released to the public.

Earlier:

• Openlands Prepares Site Reopening Plan For Lakeshore Preserve [October 2022]
• Explosives Probe: Experts Convene At Openlands Lakeshore Preserve [December 2021]
• Navy Starts Explosives Assessment Of Openlands Lakeshore Preserve [September 2021]
• No End In Sight For Closure Of Openlands Lakeshore Preserve Beach [May 2021]