Unexploded Ordnance (UXO): An Explosive Issue?

The recent increase in transition of military ranges to nonmilitary uses has increased public and environmental regulatory agency concern regarding ranges. Much of this concern stems from the identification of Unexploded Ordnance and its constituents as possible contributing sources of contamination of groundwater and soils. Making the situation potentially more explosive are EPA Region 1 actions at one of those installations, Massachusetts Military Reservation, where groundwater contamination has halted live-firing on ranges. This article highlights recent developments in the areas of munitions and ranges that influence the ability of installations to use their ranges