News

River River Drops of rain on a leaf

News Release
February 21, 2002

NOTICE TO PARENTS

Dear Parents,

As part of our ongoing effort to inform and protect both residents and schoolchildren, we want to advise you that there will be an open detonation, or blow-in-place, of unexploded munitions at Camp Edwards on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR)

Details on the current detonation are:
What: Blow-In-Place Detonation
Date: Friday, February 22, 2002
Time: Between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm
Where: On the "J-1" Range at MMR, West of Wind Song and Grand Oak Roads

The munitions, which include three 105 mm projectiles and two 81 mm mortars, were discovered in a disposal area located near the entrance to the J-1 range on the Southeastern boundary of Camp Edwards. Three other items, which do not affect the Sandwich neighborhood safety buffer zone, also will be detonated on Friday in the Central Impact Area of the base. Army engineers determined these items cannot be safely transported. As a safety precaution, they will be blown-in-place. Significant engineering controls of sandbags and plywood will be in place to control the blast. With these controls in place, there is no risk to residents of the nearby area.

The soil area surrounding the detonation will be sampled immediately following the event for residual explosive compounds. If any contamination is found, the soil will be removed and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.

A continuing study and investigation of this disposal area is in progress, and if additional munitions requiring open detonation are identified before Friday's blow-in-place, these items will be included in this detonation to take advantage of schools being closed this week. If other items are found in the future, appropriate notifications and sampling will be conducted as required.

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 on the Massachusetts Military Reservation since 1997. As part of an agreement with the elected officials in the Town of Sandwich, a procedure for neighborhood notification has been established to keep residents fully informed, at all points, of progress regarding this finding. Please feel free to call us with questions.

# # #

For more information, please contact:
Pam Richardson, Impact Area Groundwater Study Program, 508-968-5629
Todd Borci, Environmental Protection Agency, 617-918-1358 or 888-372-7341
Ellie Grillo, MA Dept of Environmental Protection, 508-946-2866

Site Map | Related Links | Comments/Contact Us | Search | Home
Administrative Notice