RE: [CPEO-MEF] EPA Completes Removal of Ordnance in Area of Washington T

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

[POSTED BY George Teachman <George.Teachman@aec.apgea.army.mil>]

Three questions and a comment.

1st - Is EPA certifying 100% UXO free?  

2nd - How did EPA convince the landowners to accept a less than 100% UXO 
free risk?  

3rd - How is 'restoration' defined.  A UXO clearance operation to any
depth, via the mag and flag method, results in massive 
disruption/destruction of a woodland ecosystem.  Was the site restored 
to it's original woodland fauna/flora/microflora species distribution?  
If not, restoration is misleading.  Where in reality, the ecosystem 
clock has been reset to a very early stage.  

Comment:  While restoration is technically correct when applied to a
natural system, in the current climate, it clearly is more related to a 
compliance action.  To say a natural system has been restored is almost 
an oxymoron. For example, if a mature red-cockaded woodpecker habitat 
had to be 'restored' after a UXO clearance operation, mature George 
Teachmantrees of between 40-60 years old must be replaced, along with a 
specific vegetation mosiac for foraging.  Otherwise, red-cockaded 
woodpeckers will not return to the site. Clearly then the site/habitat 
has not been restored.

George Teachman 
U.S. Army Environmental Center

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