Project Duration: January 2025 – December 2026
What is the problem?
Underwater Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) can be found throughout the United States. MECs have been found in both freshwater and saltwater bodies including ponds, rivers, lakes, canals, intercoastal waterways, harbors, and the ocean. The Department of Defense (DOD) has identified over 450 underwater munitions response sites covering more than 10 million acres in both coastal and interior States and Territories.
Finding and addressing munitions in the underwater environment is challenging. The science and technology to address the detection, classification, characterization, verification, recovery, and disposal underwater munitions is rapidly evolving. There is a lack of comprehensive, standardized guidance on the technological and strategic approaches necessary for the effective detection of underwater munitions. This guidance document aims to address that gap by presenting current technologies, challenges, best practices, and investigative strategies tailored to the underwater domain. More information can be found in the Team Project Proposal.
What is the solution?
This Project Team will develop materials to assist agencies meet cleanup goals, better characterize data gaps, and reduce environmental and human health hazards.
The team will develop a technical guidance document, fact sheets, and training materials to: create a framework for federal and state regulators to assess available underwater munitions response technologies, examine applications, limitations, and quality considerations, and promote best practices for selection and use.
Information in the guidance will be supported by case studies where possible.
Team Leaders
Kyle Newman (VA DEQ)
Kyle.Newman@deq.virginia.gov
Nichole Osuch (AZ DEQ)
osuch.nichole@azdeq.gov
Program Advisor
Cherri Baysinger
cbaysinger@socket.net