[CPEO-MEF] MUNITIONS: WWII ordnance detonated, Marpi, Saipan (CNMI)

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

[I missed this when it first came out. - LS]

3 tons of unexploded World War II ordnance detonated

By Haidee V. Eugenio
Saipan Tribune (Mariana Islands)
March 8, 2010


A large cloud of smoke billows over the Laderan Laggun Cliff walls in 
Marpi, followed by a thunderclap which awed spectators at the Suicide 
Cliff during the detonation of unexploded World War II ordnance on 
Saturday afternoon. (Haidee V. Eugenio) Some three tons of unexploded 
World War II ordnance with 800 lbs. of net explosive weight were 
detonated on Saturday afternoon, as part of a federal funded project to 
clean up and dispose of hazardous materials from Marpi starting last year.

Two experts from the Guam-based U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal 
Detachment Marianas led the detonation.

John Scott, president of Ampro, which has been contracted by the 
Department of Public Lands for the removal of unexploded ordnance from 
Marpi, said most of the ordnance detonated were mortars, projectiles, 
and hand grenades.

Ampro retrieved over 12,000 pieces of unexploded war ordnance from a 
Marpi project site measuring 624,000 square meters. DPL received a grant 
from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the cleanup project.


...

For the entire article, see
http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=97760

--


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



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