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News Release
June 25, 2002

Two Mortar Rounds Scheduled For Detonation at Camp Edwards

Camp Edwards, Mass. — Two 81-millimeter mortar rounds will be destroyed in open or blow-in-place detonations at Camp Edwards, Thursday, June 27, 2002, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Contractors for the Impact Area Groundwater Study Program located the two mortar rounds in the northwestern portion of the J-3 range. This area was historically used for training and defense contractor testing. The items were found, approximately two feet below ground surface, during a clearance check being conducted prior to road improvement work in the area.

The detonations will take place more than a half mile away from the Camp Edwards/Sandwich boundary, and will not affect the 500-foot Sandwich neighborhood buffer zone. There is no risk to residents of the nearby area.

Whenever possible, munitions uncovered during the Groundwater Study Program’s investigation are recycled for scrap if they are determined to be inert. If they have the potential of containing explosives and can be safely moved, they are taken to safe storage and destroyed in the Contained Detonation Chamber. Explosive experts for the Groundwater Study Program have determined that these two mortar rounds require open detonations because they pose a potential risk to workers and are unsafe to move.

Following the detonations the soil in the area will be tested for residual explosive compounds. If any contamination is found, the soil will be covered and scheduled for removal and disposal in accordance with applicable regulations.

The Impact Area Groundwater Study Program, led by the National Guard Bureau, has been working on an investigation and cleanup of the upper 15,000 acres at Camp Edwards since 1997. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection oversee the program.

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For more information, contact:
Christine Dolen, Groundwater Study Program, (508) 968-5629
Todd Borci, EPA New England Region 1, (617) 918-1358 or (888) 372-7341 ext. 81358
Ellie Grillo, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, (508) 946-2866

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