News Release
April 24, 2001

(Camp Edwards, MA) — The Impact Area Groundwater Study Program (IAGWSP) office has notified the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) that there will be an open detonation, or blow-in-place, of one unexploded munition on Thursday, April 26, 2001, between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, at the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR). The munition will be exploded in place as it has been determined by the Army specialists that it cannot be safely transported or rendered safe in its present location.

The item to be detonated is a 3.5-inch rocket that is located in the "P" Range that is approximately 600 feet away from the MMR fence line that borders the western edges of the Greenville Drive/Bramblebush Road/Shagbark Road areas. The maximum fragmentation radius of this rocket falls within the area known as the "neighborhood safety buffer zone," and will trigger, therefore, the notification protocol agreed upon among the Town of Sandwich, the National Guard Bureau, the Massachusetts Army National Guard (MAARNG), EPA and MADEP to address the recovery and disposal of unexploded ordnance found near the Town boundaries. This notification protocol requires the prior notification of Town officials and residents within the affected area.

Safety controls will be established prior to the detonation to assure maximum public safety. An engineered structure consisting of plywood and sandbags will be built to contain the blast. With these controls in place, there is no safety risk to residents in the nearby area. MAARNG contractors will be responsible for this detonation and for the subsequent sampling of the area’s soil for residual explosive compounds. If any contamination is found, the soil will be removed and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.

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Should there be any questions regarding this matter or the need for further information, please contact
IAGWSP: Tina Dolen, Sr. Community Involvement Specialist, 508-968-5629.
EPA: Todd Borci, 617-918-1358 or 888-372-7341 x81358.
MADEP: Ellie Grillo, Community Involvement Coordinator, 508-946-2866.