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EPA ISSUES DECISION PROHIBITING OPEN DETONATION OF MUNITIONS ON CAPE COD

Release Date: 03/11/1998
Contact Information: Elizabeth Higgins, Environmental Review Director (617-918-1051)

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today notified the National Guard that it would not be allowed to go forward with its imminent plans for the open detonation of about 1,100 mortars and other munitions that were unearthed last year at the Massachusetts Military Reservation on Cape Cod.

Citing public safety and environmental concerns, EPA's New England Administrator John P. DeVillars said no open detonations would be allowed, including test detonations this weekend, until EPA is convinced that more environmentally-sound closed detonation technologies are not available.

DeVillars' decision reinforces an April 1997 order he issued to the National Guard, halting the use of live munitions and open detonation activities at the 22,000-acre military reservation.

DeVillars told the National Guard to move all of the unexploded munitions to a specifically-designated "Impact Area" near the center of the reservation so that the munitions will be more secure and further away from populated areas outside the base. DeVillars requested that the munitions be moved this week.

DeVillars' prohibition on open detonation included one exception: The National Guard will be allowed to detonate two 105-millimeter artillery rounds Saturday deemed to be an imminent threat and too dangerous to move.

"I'm skeptical of large-scale open detonation at this time. The potential environmental and public health impact of open detonation is significant," DeVillars said. "If there's a better way, we should pursue it. And there may be a better way - closed detonation. Let's store the material safely for now and expeditiously explore alternatives. My goal is to reach judgment on a final and safe disposal plan by the end of April."

DeVillars' decision was contained in a three-page letter delivered today to Lt. Colonel Richard O. Murphy of the Army National Guard Readiness Center and Shaun Cody, director of environmental affairs at the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

"For too long, the environment and the public's health have been the losers in decisions made by the military at MMR," DeVillars said in the letter. "I look forward to working with you to ensure that these considerations are not overridden by concerns about cost and convenience."

The National Guard planned to commence open detonations this Saturday, beginning with test open detonations of 320 rounds. That plan was approved last week by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, but it was subject to compliance with the EPA's April 1997 order. The National Guard had proposed to detonate the rest of the munitions during school vacation week - from April 13 to April 18.

DeVillars said his decision to prohibit open detonation at this time was made after talking to dozens of munitions and environmental experts both inside and outside EPA and the miltary. The consensus that emerged, he said, was that the risk of moving the munitions to a secure facility was far out-weighed by the environmental and health risk of open detonation, which sampling data shows has caused soil contamination and, possibly, groundwater contamination at the reservation.

"Two areas on the reservation that were used historically for open detonation are now contaminated with RDX and other possible carcinogens," DeVillars said, referring to Royal Demolition Explosives, an ingredient contained in most of the munitions.

DeVillars' letter requests that that "on or before March 14," the unexploded munitions be moved to Area 4 of the Impact Area and placed in trenches about 18 inches in depth. DeVillars requested that a fence be built around the area and that other security measures be taken, including posting of security guards.

Working with EPA, DeVillars requested that the National Guard Readiness Center and the Massachusetts Army National Guard undertake an immediate review of the technical and environmental feasibility of using a closed detonation facility for handling the munitions.

"If we conclude closed detonation is not feasible or practical, we will require the National Guard to submit a detailed plan for open demolition," DeVillars said. "I can assure you this plan will include a careful assessment of mitigation measures so that the environmental and public health impacts are as minimal as possible."