News Release
May 1, 2002

Blow-In-Place Detonation Scheduled at Camp Edwards

Camp Edwards, Mass. — An open or blow-in-place detonation of ten items will be conducted on the southeast corner of the ranges at Camp Edwards, Friday, May 3, 2002, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The detonations will be in the former defense contractor testing ranges near the Sandwich boundary, but will not affect the Sandwich neighborhood buffer zone. There is no risk to residents of the surrounding area.

The items being destroyed include 10 fuzes, one of which is attached to a 66-millimeter rocket. The fuzes were discovered during excavation of two burial pits in the J-2 range being investigated as part of the Impact Area Groundwater Study Program's Munitions Survey Project. This program, begun in 1997, is responsible for locating and clearing unexploded munitions, which could potentially pose a threat to human safety and contaminate the groundwater, from former training and testing areas.

More than 250 munitions have been found in these burial pits. Most have been inert and will be demilitarized and recycled. The site also contained 850 pounds of non-munitions-related scrap, which also will be removed.

Massachusetts Army National Guard contractors have determined that the munitions being detonated potentially contain explosives and are unsafe to move. Since they could represent a danger to workers in the area, they will be blown in place.

Following the detonation the soil in the area will be tested for residual explosive compounds. If any contamination is found, the soil will be 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