The Defense Department and the Environmental Protection Agency have signed a Federal Facilities Agreement to clean up contamination at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md., according to a release from Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.).

Cardin called the agreement "overdue."

Since 2008, Fort Detrick has been on the EPA's National Priorities List or Superfund, which requires an FFA to be signed for a legally binding clean-up, according to the statement.

The agreement provides for an "enforceable framework" to complete the clean-up, Cardin said in the statement.

A 2006 report to the Department of Defense shows that herbicides, including Agent Orange, were formulated and tested at Ft. Detrick. An investigation has been launched to determine if the contamination responsible for cancer cases in the area.