Approaches for Addressing Underwater Military Munitions

Transcription

1 Approaches for Addressing Underwater Military Munitions Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials March 2009 J. C. King Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Environment, Safety and Occupational Health 1

2 Objective Understand d and dthen manage the risks associated with ocean disposed military munitions Scientific data necessary to understand risk Policy developed based on science to manage risk Scientific basis for making sound risk management decisions that fully consider the operational, safety and environmental factors of the alternatives 2

3 History of DoD Sea Disposals Disposal options, particularly for chemical warfare materials (CWM), were limited Large quantities of munitions became excess Deteriorating condition presented hazards Disposal at depths, beyond human reach, considered safe Disposals included: d Munitions, Bulk materials chemical agents, explosives Components Captured enemy CWM (WWII) Disposals operations often involved CWM and conventional 3 munitions

4 Public Law , Section 314 (NDAA) Research on Effects of focean Disposal of fmunitions Identification of disposal sites in US coastal waters Identification i of navigational i and safety hazards Research 4

5 Sea Disposal Sites Locations: Ranged from 5 to over 250 miles (10 to over 400 km) from shore Depths ranged from 50 to 16,000 feet (15 to 4,900 m) DoD disposal methods Loose or over the side Consolidated in ship hulks, with scuttling DoD used for: CWM Conventional munitions Designated sites Were generally 100 square miles (260 sq km) May also have been used by others for disposal of industrial and municipal wastes 5

6 Risk-Management Considerations Differing issues presented by munitions type Location of site: Near shore Shallow water (120 feet and shallower) Deep water Category of munitions Sea disposal operations Use of area as ranges (former and current) Response alternatives Material ocean disposed not just munitions Hazards presented Funding 6

7 Issues Related to Munitions Recovery Must demonstrate significant risk to human health and the environment Risk must be greater than that of recovery Hazard dto workers may be significant ifi Potential for disturbance and release of constituents to sediment surface and water column Locating munitions on or beneath seafloor Positively identifying munitions and fuze status prior to disturbing Identifying i site for destruction of recovered items Locating and recovering munitions in surf zone 7

8 Ordnance Reef Projects Army Environmental Quality Technology Program funding assessment of commercial technology adapted for remote recovery of sea disposed munitions Army funding Native Hawaiian Company to determine best method for destruction of any recovered munitions 8

9 Ordnance Reef Projects Army/Navy funded NOAA survey (screening) Local community expressed concerns with data DoD, D state, t and CDC (ATSDR) review of healthrelated data identified gaps DASA(ESOH) established Coordinating Council UH under contract to conduct remedial investigation to address data gaps Focus on human health Screening level of ecological risks 9

10 Hawaii Undersea Military Munitions i Assessment Program (HUMMA) Site 5 miles (+/-) south of Pearl Harbor 16,000 M lb mustard bombs disposed in ,000 (+) feet deep Initial ii SONAR survey of f60 sq km identified ifi numerous returns of interest Video tows (Nov Dec) will determine munitions presence Sea water, sediment and biota sampling gplanned for early 2009 with report due late in year 10

11 Related Topics Symptoms Buckroe Beach, Virginia Mid-Atlantic States (Claming Operations) Edgewood, Maryland Long Beach Island, New Jersey Fixes DoD STD, DoD Ammunition and Explosives Safety Standards Chapter 15 requirements for munitions with unkown liquid fills Data base Requirements Dredging Requirements Underwater Military Munitions Data Base 11

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13 Enduring Challenges Policy development Need for a long-term strategy Application of scientific method Site characterization Risk-based response Community engagement Resource considerations 13

14 Contact J. C. King Assistant for Munitions and Chemical Matters Office of the Deputy Assistant t Secretary of the Army Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Office: BB: jc.king@us.army.mil 14

15 BACKUP 15

16 Points for Discussion Developing approaches for: Archival research Site survey (bounding the site) Site characterization Sampling and analysis Assessing risk Risk management and communication 16

17 Public Law , Section 314 (NDAA) Identification of disposal sites in US coastal waters - Historical review Number, size and probable locations of sites in US waters Identify types of munitions at individual sites to extent possible Report findings in FY09 Defense Environmental Programs Annual Report to Congress Identification i of navigational i and safety hazards Provide information to allow National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to update nautical charts Continue Public education efforts 17

18 Public Law , Section 314 (NDAA) Research effects of sea disposed munitions on oceans and those that use them Sampling and analysis of ocean water and seabed at or adjacent to military munitions to determine if caused or causing Investigate long-term effects of sea water on munitions, particularly CWM Investigate impacts of contamination on the ocean environment and those that use it Investigate t feasibility of removing or otherwise remediating munitions Develop safety measures for dealing with these munitions Conduct research at representative sites Conduct monitoring as necessary 18