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News Release
April 26, 2004

Notice To Parents

Dear Neighbor,

As part of our ongoing effort to notify parents of Forestdale students about Impact Area Groundwater Study Program activities in the vicinity of the Forestdale School, this to inform you of planned open detonations of unexploded munitions on Camp Edwards. These detonations will be near the 500-foot School Buffer Zone established with the Town of Sandwich.

These detonations will be conducted outside of school hours and using all appropriate safety precautions. There is no risk to residents or the children at the school.

Details on the detonations are:
What: Open Detonations of Three Military Munitions
Where: On Camp Edwards approximately 2,500 ft. west and at least 1,500 ft. south of the Forestdale School grounds.
Date: Thursday, April 29, 2004
Time: Between 3:30 and 5 p.m. (Outside of school hours)

The munitions items are three 81-millimeter mortar rounds. These were discovered during clearance activities for the installation of a groundwater monitoring well located along the road going into the area known as the J-2 Range. This area formerly was used for training and defense contractor testing.

The mortar rounds are being destroyed in place because Army engineers have determined they might contain explosives and cannot be safely transported. Appropriate safety controls, which include sandbag and plywood barriers and concrete barriers, are always used to contain detonations near the school and neighborhood buffer zones to ensure there is no risk to residents of the nearby area.

The soil area surrounding the detonation areas 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.

The Impact Area Groundwater Study Program is investigating and cleaning up groundwater contamination and its sources on the Massachusetts Military Reservation. For further information on Groundwater Study Program activities, log on to www.groundwaterprogram.org or call Pam Richardson at 508-968-5630.

# # #

For more information, contact:
Pamela Richardson, Impact Area Groundwater Study Program, (508) 968-5630
Todd Borci, EPA New England Region 1, (617) 918-1358 or (888) 372-7341 ext. 81358
Len Pinaud, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, (508) 946-2866

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