Introduction

The purpose of this guide is to inform you

of the military training activities that took
place at the former Fort Custer Recreational/
Industrial Areas and to raise awareness of
the explosive hazards that may exist at the
3Rs Safety Guide
property.

The former Fort Custer (previously known

as Camp Custer) was used from 1917 to
1968 for induction and training of military
personnel during World War I, World War
II, and briefly during the Korean War. Areas
of the former Fort Custer Recreational/
Industrial Areas have been identified through
historical research and site visits as having
potential explosive hazards. These areas
include the Hand Grenade Court and the
Munitions Burial Area. The munitions known
or suspected to have been used or disposed
at these areas include artillery projectiles,
live and practice hand grenades, mortars,
rockets and small arms ammunition.
The former Fort Custer Recreational/
Industrial Areas comprises approximately
14,412 acres and is located in Charleston
Township, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County.
The Hand Grenade Court spans 85 acres
of land and is located within the Fort Custer
Recreational Area. The Munitions Burial
Area is 78 acres of water entirely within
Eagle Lake. The land is within the Fort Custer
Projectile found at the former Fort Custer
Recreational/Industrial Areas
Former Fort Custer
Recreational/
Former Fort Custer Industrial Areas
Recreational/Industrial Areas
Michigan
For More Information
Kalamazoo County
The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers is responsible for
identifying, investigating and,
when necessary, conducting an
appropriate response to address
contamination and military munitions resulting from
past Department of Defense activities at Formerly MUNITIONS BURIAL AREA
Used Defense Sites, also referred to as FUDS. HAND GRENADE COURT
For information about the former Custer Recreational/
Industrial Areas, contact the FUDS Information
Center by calling the toll-free number 1-855-765-
FUDS (3837). For general information about the
FUDS Program, visit www.fuds.mil.
Legend
FUDS Property Boundary Fort Custer Rec/Industrial Areas State: Michigan

Recreational Area and is used for activities Follow the 3Rs of Explosives Safety Project Boundary FUDS Property No: E05MI0013 County: Kalamazoo
Sources: USACE, 2015; Esri, 2015

such as hiking, biking, swimming, boating,

Hand Grenade Court

Recognize
fishing, and picnicking.
Munitions Burial Area
Because explosive hazards associated
with military munitions from past military

Retreat
training may remain on the Fort Custer
Recreational/Industrial Areas, and on the
water surrounding it, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers recommends that the landowner Recognize
Report Retreat
and visitors follow the 3Rs of Explosives
Safety – Recognize, Retreat, and
Report
®

Report.

Visit the U.S. Army’s Explosives Safety Education website:

www.denix.osd.mil/uxo 2015
 Source: Willard Library Digital Collections

MUNITIONS BURIAL AREA

HAND GRENADE COURT

Soldiers blowing trumpets at the former Fort

Custer
K
Frequently Asked Questions
0 1 2

Scale In Miles

Q: What types of potential hazards exist? Legend

A: Military munitions, such as artillery projectiles, FUDS Property Boundary Fort Custer Rec/Industrial Areas State: Michigan
live and practice hand grenades, mortars, rockets Project Boundary FUDS Property No: E05MI0013 County: Kalamazoo
Sources: USACE, 2015; Esri, 2015
and small arms ammunition, were potentially used
at the former Fort Custer Recreational/Industrial
Areas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is unable
to rule out the presence of munitions that may pose
Corps of Engineers has determined that further
investigation is required for the Hand Grenade
Follow the 3Rs of
an explosive hazard. Court and Munitions Burial Area at the former Fort Explosives Safety
Custer Recreational/Industrial Areas.
Q: What do I do if I suspect I may have come across
a military munition? Q: What will be done next?
A: If you suspect you may have come across a A: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will make
military munition, the best way to ensure your safety when you may have come across a
explosives safety education material that is based
munition, and that munitions are dangerous;
is to follow the 3Rs of Explosives Safety: Recognize on the 3Rs available to the landowner and the
that munitions are dangerous; Retreat — do not community. Additionally, it will coordinate with
approach, touch, move or disturb it, but carefully landowners as it plans required response activities.
leave the area; and Report immediately what you
saw and where you saw it to local law enforcement Q: Where can I get more information? do not approach, touch, move or disturb a
— call 911. suspect munition, but carefully leave the
A: For more information, call the Formerly Used area; and
Defense Sites Information Center toll-free number
Q: What are the findings of the work that the
1-855-765-FUDS (3837). Additional information
government has completed?
can be found by searching for the property
A: Historical research and site inspections name, Fort Custer Rec/Industrial Areas, in the
indicate that military munitions were potentially Geographical Information System tool on the immediately what was found to local law
used at this fort, and some munitions may remain Formerly Used Defense Sites website at www. enforcement — call 911.
on the property and in the water. The U.S. Army fuds.mil.