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Western Magazine Area Munitions Response Update

Western Magazine Area Munitions Response Update. October 26, 2006. Western Magazine Area (WMA) Location. WMA History. Former munitions storage area Created from tidal wetlands using upland fill in late 1930’s Used primarily for storage of gun ammunition and related components

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Western Magazine Area Munitions Response Update

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  1. Western Magazine AreaMunitions Response Update October 26, 2006

  2. Western Magazine Area (WMA) Location

  3. WMA History • Former munitions storage area • Created from tidal wetlands using upland fill in late 1930’s • Used primarily for storage of gun ammunition and related components • Deactivated 1975 with other MI ordnance facilities

  4. WMA Munitions Response Background • Several munitions emergency response actions completed in early 1990’s • Identified as a munitions “area of concern” by 1994 Ordnance Preliminary Assessment • Unexploded Ordnance Site Investigation geophysical surveys completed in 1995-97 identified 1,065 anomalies • Anomalies investigated and munitions removed during 1997-98 UXO Intrusive Investigation • All recovered munitions were categorized as discarded military munitions (DMM)

  5. WMA Munitions Response Action Goal (2006) • Locate and remove any remaining detectable munitions hazards consistent with the intended land reuse (open space/recreation) • Improved geophysical survey and navigational techniques • 100% survey of accessible non-wetland areas • Rigorous quality control and quality assurance techniques

  6. WMA Munitions Response Action Methods • Geophysical Prove-Out • Inert/simulated munitions items buried in typical soil conditions • Enables selection of equipment/techniques to optimize anomaly detection/selection criteria • Digital geophysical mapping surveys • Detection based on size/depth of item and survey instrument • Electro-magnetic (EM) system locates ferrous and non-ferrous targets at relatively shallow depths • Magnetometer (MAG) locates ferrous targets to deeper depths • Sensors coupled with centimeter-accuracy navigation system • Data analysis and anomaly selection • Anomaly investigation • Excavate and remove munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) and munitions debris (MD)

  7. Open Area Geophysical Survey (2006)

  8. Building Footprint Geophysical Survey (2006)

  9. Geophysical Survey Map

  10. Example Grid Showing Anomaly Density

  11. Anomaly Investigation Process • Reacquire individual anomaly locations (centimeter accuracy) • Surface sweep location for radiological (RAD) or munitions items • Dig each anomaly location to a radius of two feet and a depth of four feet • Continue excavation if MEC, MD, or RAD items are encountered

  12. Anomaly Investigation Process (cont’d) • Discontinue excavation after four feet if MEC or MD is not encountered • Hole is checked by the UXO Quality Control Specialist (UXOQCS) and determined to be “cleared” or “not cleared” • Spoils are checked by the UXOQCS prior to backfilling • 5000+ anomalies have been investigated to date

  13. Recovered MEC Items

  14. Recovered MEC Items (cont’d) NOTE: An additional 3,613 MD (inert munitions) items have also been recovered to date.

  15. 100 pounder Parrott Projectile Civil War bombardment of Ft. Sumter

  16. Aircraft Bomb Arming Wires

  17. 20 mm Oerlikon Gun Magazine

  18. Depth Charge and K-gun Launcher MK 15 Practice Depth Charge 347 lbs; 3 lbs TNT filler K-gun spigot

  19. 40 mm Bofors Rounds in Clips/Container

  20. 40 mm Inert Training Rounds

  21. 5-inch/38 caliber Projectiles “VT” Proximity Fuze

  22. MEC/MD/Investigated Grids

  23. 1949: Munitions Storage Area 2006: Open Area MEC Origin Photoanalysis

  24. Quality Control/Quality Assurance • WESTON Quality Control • WESTON blind anomaly “seed items” • Independent oversight of anomaly selection process • Independent verification of anomaly reacquisition • Independent verification of cleared anomaly excavations • Navy Quality Assurance • NAVY blind anomaly seed items • Independent geophysical survey and anomaly excavation of selected grids

  25. Observations/Conclusions • Improved geophysical survey technologies and QC techniques have been successful in reducing risk • MEC/MD locations correlate well with historic outfall and munitions laydown areas • Some areas may require soil sifting to completely remove smaller MEC items • Further discussion with stakeholders is required to determine endpoint

  26. Schedule Forecast • Complete investigation of selected WMA anomalies -> mid-November 2006 • Investigation of selected Installation Restoration Site 5 (IR05) and Dredge Pond 7S (DP7S) anomalies –> Fall/Winter of 2006/2007 • Excavate and sift soil from limited WMA areas with very high density of MEC and other debris –> Spring 2007

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