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1 1 (April 16, 2008)

handle is hein.crs/crsajup0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code RS22862 April 16, 2008 Cleanup of U.S. Military Munitions: Authorities, Status, and Costs David M. Bearden Specialist in Environmental Policy Resources, Science, and Industry Division Summary How to address safety, health, and environmental risks from potential exposure to abandoned or discarded military munitions has been a long-standing issue. There has been particular concern among the public about such risks at older decommissioned military properties that have been in civilian use for many years, and at closed military bases still awaiting redevelopment. Many of these properties contain former training ranges and munitions disposal sites where the extent of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and related environmental contamination is not fully understood. The approval of another round of military base closings in 2005 raised additional concerns about munitions risks on certain bases, and whether cleanup challenges may limit their civilian reuse. This report discusses the potential hazards of military munitions and related contamination, the authorities of the Department of Defense (DOD) to address these hazards, the status and costs of cleanup efforts, and issues for Congress. Potential Safety, Health, and Environmental Risks Explosives can remain live in munitions and present a safety risk for many years, even decades, after their military use has ceased, especially if munitions are buried and thereby protected from degradation. Munitions used in training exercises do not always detonate upon impact and can burrow beneath the surface where they can remain buried. Munitions that remain on the surface also can be difficult to locate and recover, especially on ranges with dense vegetation that may conceal munitions. The disposal of munitions also can present lingering safety risks if munitions are not properly neutralized and are left intact. Sites where munitions were meant to be destroyed in bulk by open burning or open detonation in earthen pits frequently contain some live munitions. In such cases, certain munitions may not detonate and may be buried by the explosive force of other munitions. In addition to the more immediate safety risks from explosives, chemical constituents in munitions can leach into the environment and present potential health risks if a pathway of exposure is present through the air, soil, groundwater, or surface water. Long-term exposure to contaminants can increase the risks of certain health effects,

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