Remediation on historical 2,200-acres in Henderson, NV.

Basic Remediation Company (BRC) today celebrated the start of the company's restoration project on 2,200 acres of land in Henderson that will eventually be home to a new mixed-use, master-planned community.

The project will remediate environmental contamination resulting from various commercial and industrial activities that have taken place at the storied site during its history.  The 2,200-acre property located east of boulder Highway, north of Lake Mead Parkway and south of the Las Vegas Wash, was once part of a larger complex, known as Basic Magnesium, which played a vital role in support of the U.S. victory in World War II.  The world's largest magnesium plant was built and operated in the complex, which is adjacent to the 2,200-acre site.  Years after the war, several manufacturing companies bought and operated portions of the Basic Magnesium plant.

"This is an historic day for Henderson," said Mark Paris, chief executive officer of BRC.  "After 18 years of extensive research and analysis, and more than $60 million of private funding spent on testing and study, we are moving forward with the largest environmental restoration project in Nevada's history.  The work started today will reclaim a notable, but barren site, and transform it into a thriving community in the heart of Henderson's redevelopment district."

With more than $60 million of private funds spent on extensive environmental testing and research to date, Paris pointed out that the clean-up is voluntary and funded entirely by Basic Management, Inc.  No public funds have been or will be used in the entire process.

While no industrial manufactuing has taken place on the 2,200-acre property, portions of the land were used in the past for industrial and municipal evaporation ponds, along with feeder ditches, in accordance with legal and industry standards at the time.  Although the ponds are no longer in use, some of the effluent deposited there over the years and settled over about 400 acres of the 2,200-acre site.  This soil is the focus of the remediation effort.

NDEP reviewed and approved more than 100 documents, plans and reports related to the testing, remediation and development of the property.  In July 2007, NDEP approved the plan for the state -of-the-art 66-acre Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU), where soil from the 2,200-acre site will be safely interred.  In October 2007, NDEP approved the closure plan, which is the key planning document needed to begin remediating the site.

"I can attest that Basic Remediation Company and LandWell, under the watchful eyes of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, have done their due dilligence to ensure that all applicable environmental rules and protocols are being followed," said Leo Drozdoff, administrator of NDEP.  "We at NDEP will continue our oversight role to ensure that the progress continues, and that the commitment of the parties remains strong."

BRC has tapped Weston Solutions, Inc. to be the project's construction manager.  For 50 years, Weston Solutions has been a leading redevelopment and construction firm.  In addition, BRC has selected ENTACT as the project remediation contractor.  ENTACT will be responsible for constructing the CAMU.  ENTACT will complete the remediation work under the supervision of BRC and Weston Solutions. 

"This is an important historical site for us," said Henderson Mayor James B. Gibson.  "This is where we began as a city.  That is one of the reasons we are so excited to see this project get under way.  This land is a part of our history, and with the completion of the remediation it will play an important part in building for our future as well."

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection The mission of the Division of Environmental Protection is to preserve and enhance the environment of the state to protect human health, sustain healthy ecosystems and contribute to a vibrant economy.  The Division accomplishes its mission by implementing a range of environmental monitoring, regulatory and compliance assistance programs.

Basic Remediation Company, also based in Henderson, is a subsidiary of Basic Management, Inc. (BMI).  BRC is conducting the remediation of the 2,200-acre site under the supervision of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP).

Basic Management, Inc.  In 1941, as the United States was beginning an unprecedented mobilization for war, about 5,000 acres of empty desert southest of Las Vegas were set aside for what would become the world's largest magnesium plant.  The site was ideal, only 330 miles from the largest known deposits of magnesium ore, and close to the needed electric power of Hoover Dam and the water of Lake Mead.  By late 1942, the world's largest magnesium plant was in operation, and the foundations of the town that became Henderson were laid.

Since World War II, the land has seen many uses and many changes of ownership.  Among the more than 80 private and public entities that have owned, leased or operated facilities near this site are three major companies still in operation today -- Titanium Metals Corporation (TIMET), Tronox and Olin Chlor-Alkali.

In the early 1950s, these three companies formed Basic Management, Inc. (BMI) to oversee utilities and other common assets at the industrial complex at the foot of Black Mountain.  Today, BMI and its land development affilitate, The LandWell Company, L.P., are repurposing the entire 5,000-acre area for a variety of uses, from industrial to commercial to residential development.