[Fwd: EPA Issues Decision Prohibiting Open Detonation of Munitions o

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For more information contact:
Elizabeth Higgins, Environmental Review Director (617-565-3422)

For Release: March 10, 1998
Release # 98-3-10

EPA Issues Decision Prohibiting Open Detonation of Munitions on Cape Cod

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."
--
Grace Potorti
Military Airspace Director
PO Box 60036
Reno NV, 89506

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