thedrifter
06-11-09, 07:24 AM
Lejeune to investigate 'surface danger zones' in off-shore waters
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June 10, 2009 - 1:41 PM
JANNETTE PIPPIN
Updated at 7:16 p.m.
Visitors to Hammocks Beach State Park shouldn't be impacted by Camp Lejeune's investigation of offshore areas near base that may have been affected by munitions training more than 50 years ago.
Park Superintendent Paul Donnelly said 182 acres at the west end of Bear Island fall within the investigation area, with about 98 acres of it above the high water mark.
Donnelly said he met with project officials this week to learn more about plans, and from the initial information, he does not expect work to affect park operations.
"Right now we are not anticipating that we will have to close part of Bear Island, and hopefully that won't happen," Donnelly said.
The munitions site investigation involves former surface danger zones (SDZs) located in off-base areas that may have been affected by munitions training dating back to the 1940s. For safety purposes, each munitions training program has an associated SDZ.
There is no residential or commercial development located in the suspected SDZs and the majority of the affected acreage is marshland, according to a Camp Lejeune news release.
The investigation was prompted by a review and update of base maps.
"The investigation is a proactive measure that the base is taking to ensure the community and environment are safe. It is not a result of any incident or discovery of munitions and will either confirm that there is no risk to human safety, or it will be followed by appropriate action if a risk is identified," said base spokesman 1st Lt. Kristin Dalton in an e-mail response to questions about the project.
Part of the process involves working with state park officials as well as private property owners to develop a work plan. After the work plan is approved, the first step will be work from the air.
A helicopter equipped with magnetic sensors will fly over the whole 1,800-acre area to look for patterns of metal debris. They will then go back on foot to any areas of dry land that appear to have buried metallic items and do more detailed magnetic surveys, Dalton said.
Sampling of soil, sediment and water might also be necessary.
The investigation is scheduled to take place in early summer.
The acreage includes three private properties totaling approximately 301 acres, the 182 acres of Bear Island, state-owned salt marshes that lie between Bear Island and the mainland, state waters including portions of Bear Creek and shallow waters of the Intracoastal Waterway.
The investigation will be led by base officials in partnership with Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
For more information, go to www.lejeune.usmc.mil/sdz.
Contact Jannette Pippin at 910-382-2557 or jpippin@freedomenc.com.
Ellie
Comments | Recommend
June 10, 2009 - 1:41 PM
JANNETTE PIPPIN
Updated at 7:16 p.m.
Visitors to Hammocks Beach State Park shouldn't be impacted by Camp Lejeune's investigation of offshore areas near base that may have been affected by munitions training more than 50 years ago.
Park Superintendent Paul Donnelly said 182 acres at the west end of Bear Island fall within the investigation area, with about 98 acres of it above the high water mark.
Donnelly said he met with project officials this week to learn more about plans, and from the initial information, he does not expect work to affect park operations.
"Right now we are not anticipating that we will have to close part of Bear Island, and hopefully that won't happen," Donnelly said.
The munitions site investigation involves former surface danger zones (SDZs) located in off-base areas that may have been affected by munitions training dating back to the 1940s. For safety purposes, each munitions training program has an associated SDZ.
There is no residential or commercial development located in the suspected SDZs and the majority of the affected acreage is marshland, according to a Camp Lejeune news release.
The investigation was prompted by a review and update of base maps.
"The investigation is a proactive measure that the base is taking to ensure the community and environment are safe. It is not a result of any incident or discovery of munitions and will either confirm that there is no risk to human safety, or it will be followed by appropriate action if a risk is identified," said base spokesman 1st Lt. Kristin Dalton in an e-mail response to questions about the project.
Part of the process involves working with state park officials as well as private property owners to develop a work plan. After the work plan is approved, the first step will be work from the air.
A helicopter equipped with magnetic sensors will fly over the whole 1,800-acre area to look for patterns of metal debris. They will then go back on foot to any areas of dry land that appear to have buried metallic items and do more detailed magnetic surveys, Dalton said.
Sampling of soil, sediment and water might also be necessary.
The investigation is scheduled to take place in early summer.
The acreage includes three private properties totaling approximately 301 acres, the 182 acres of Bear Island, state-owned salt marshes that lie between Bear Island and the mainland, state waters including portions of Bear Creek and shallow waters of the Intracoastal Waterway.
The investigation will be led by base officials in partnership with Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
For more information, go to www.lejeune.usmc.mil/sdz.
Contact Jannette Pippin at 910-382-2557 or jpippin@freedomenc.com.
Ellie