Re: [CPEO-MEF] MUNITIONS: Controlled Detonation Chamber in Vieques (PR)

["Steven B. Pollack" <Steve@EcoEsq.com>]

Why can't they cut the larger munitions down to size with abrasive water
jet cutting technology and then use any of several methods, including
zero discharge detonation, to get rid of the smaler pieces?  I mean
besides that it costs more.

Steve

Steven B. Pollack, Attorney
Executive Director, Blue Eco Legal Council
3390 Commercial Ave.
Northbrook, IL 60062
847-436-9566
www.ecoesq.com
www.landfill7.com



> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [CPEO-MEF] MUNITIONS: Controlled Detonation Chamber in Vieques
> (PR)
> From: Lenny Siegel <lennysiegel@gmail.com>
> Date: Fri, April 25, 2008 12:47 am
> To: Military Environmental Forum <military@lists.cpeo.org>
> From Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques:
> Dr. Jorge L. Colón
> Departamento de Química
> Universidad de Puerto Rico
> San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3346
> ENGLISH VERSION
> A day before the 9th anniversary of the death of David Sanes in Vieques 
> from a US Navy bomb, once again the Navy and the company contracted for 
> environmental clean up - CH2MHill - lie to the Viequenses and the people 
> of Puerto Rico.
> In articles published on April 18, both the Navy and CH2MHill indicated 
> thousands of bombs they are exploding in Vieques cannot be detonated in 
> the controlled detonation chamber because - even though CH2MHill builds 
> it (Model T-10), it's very small for the type of large bombs found in 
> Vieques
> The Navy, as well as CH2MHill lie. CH2MHill also builds controlled 
> detonation chambers much larger than those mentioned in the articles 
> (Models T-25, T-30, D-60, D-100 and D-200).
> I have presented this situation to the Navy, to CH2MHill, the 
> Environmental Quality Board and the EPA at several meetings of the 
> Restoration Advisory Board in Vieques, indicating that CH2MHill has 
> shown at international conferences about military clean up and that is 
> has built larger detonation chambers being used experimentally in the US 
> and in other parts of the world, by the US Department of Defense.
> Some of these chambers can withstand detonation of bombs up to 250 
> pounds and larger chambers are will be available in the near future.
> We are not convinced by the Navy's argument that they cannot bring one 
> or more of these chambers to Vieques to detonate a large number of the 
> bombs found, because these large chambers are experimental, very costly 
> and do not have approval from related agencies.
> We believe that just as Vieques could be a model of sustainable 
> development for our country if the community recommendations in the 
> Guidelines for Sustainable Development of Vieques, it could also be a 
> model for the world in the use of these chambers that avoid dispersing 
> dangerous contaminants into the environment during detonation of bombs 
> in closed bases and war zones.
> Only one powerful reason impedes this from happening: the Navy would 
> have to spend more to buy the chambers from CH2MHill and bring them to 
> Vieques. CH2MHill has a multimillion dollar contract from the Navy for 
> the Vieques clean up.
> It's not going to bite the hand that feeds it, therefore, it does not 
> mention the larger chambers; however, all Puerto Rico, particularly the 
> government regulatory agencies, should demand the installation in 
> Vieques of the largest detonation chambers as a condition for 
> continuation of the clean up process.
> -- 
> Lenny Siegel
> Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
> a project of the Pacific Studies Center
> 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
> Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
> Fax: 650/961-8918
> <lsiegel@cpeo.org>
> http://www.cpeo.org
> _______________________________________________
> Military mailing list
> Military@lists.cpeo.org
> http://lists.cpeo.org/listinfo.cgi/military-cpeo.org

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