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Pit – Off-Post (PICA-014-R-01), Former Operational Areas (PICA-006-R-01), Lakes (PICA-008-R-01), and Lake Denmark – Off-Post (PICA-012-R-01). The project team is currently in the planning stage for the RI and a draft work plan is expected to be submitted to the Army in February 2011. Therefore team members discussed the work plan elements and received feedback from the meeting participants. For example, Mr. Cliff Morris, a PAERAB member who also represents Tilcon Quarry, was given the floor to discuss his plans |
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for proceeding with quarry activities that include field modifications of Tilcon property despite time critical removal action (TCRA) requirements. To be specific, the most recent phase of the TCRA at the quarry had been suspended by the Army. This particular TCRA was referred to at the MMRP meeting as Tilcon III and it is focused on the detection, identification and removal of munitions from approximately 10 acres of Tilcon property. The Tilcon property comprises the majority of the off-site 1926 explosion area. As such the MEC being found at Tilcon consists mainly of naval munitions that have heavier cases than |
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typical Army MEC. Although numerous precautions are taken during the destruction of munitions, the heavy casing could potentially create problems with the Army’s usual safety procedures. It is vital that appropriate measures be implemented to prevent the errant distribution of munitions’ fragments. This suspension of munitions destruction at Tilcon included an order to neither move the munitions to the arsenal nor to off-site locations for disposal or destruction. As a result no work could be conducted until the matter was resolved. In the meantime Tilcon was anxious to |
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proceed with such work on its own property as tree removal which can only be done in winter months due to ecological concerns. Given this impasse Tilcon wanted to cover the area that was to have been investigated — preferably by January 2011 so that their site operations could continue unimpeded. However, a long-term effort such as covering the area requires regulatory approval which may or may not be quickly given. Accordingly, Picatinny Arsenal employees are working with USACE and USAEC representatives to find a way for the work to |
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“Munitions Response Sites” — Courtesy of Weston February 2010 |
