[CPEO-MEF] Navy delays cleanup of Nomans Land

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Navy delays cleanup of Nomans Land until fall
Field work awaits a survey on metal pollution and chemical 
contamination.
By DAWN ABERG
Contributing Writer
CHILMARK - Navy representatives said they have no plans to conduct field 
work or cleanup on Nomans Land island this summer. 

The Navy has been criticized for dragging its feet on decontaminating 
the 268-acre island south of Martha's Vineyard, which was used for more 
than 50 years for military target practice.

According to Rod Warner, director of environmental engineering for Naval 
Facilities Engineering Command, work on the island will not proceed 
until a final survey on metal pollution and chemical contamination at 
the island site is complete. That is expected to be in the fall.

Experts suspect unexploded ordnance remains on the island. And, they 
say, highly toxic chemicals leaking out of the explosives at the site 
are thought to have contaminated the soil and groundwater. 

Further, bombs that fell short of their targets over the years, landing 
just offshore, may be polluting the seawater and contaminating marine 
life, they say. 

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/navydelays8.htm