Temporary Emergency Permit for Treatment by Open Detonation, Sierra Army Depot
Summary
SCH Number
2008088301
Public Agency
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
(DTSC)
Document Title
Temporary Emergency Permit for Treatment by Open Detonation, Sierra Army Depot
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/26/2008
Document Description
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has issued an emergency permit to Sierra Army Depot (SIAD) to treat hazardous waste munitions by open detonation (OD). The hazardous waste to be treated consists of two M117, 750 pound General Purpose Bombs which are exuding reactive material, and one 1-pound lot of propellant charge containing stabilizer potentially deteriorated due to its age. The bombs were discovered to be defective during a routine ammunition inspection. The propellant was determined to be potentially unstable in accordance with guidance contained in the Ammunitions Surveillance Procedures Supply bulletin 742.1, February 2007. Although the items will be treated at one time, the emergency permit is effective from September 8, 2008 through September 12, 2008 to allow treatment to be scheduled depending on weather, logistics, and availability of personnel.
The emergency detonation will be conducted by military Explosive Ordinance Disposal personnel in accordance with specified Standard Operating Procedures. The items will be detonated in pits located in the Demolition Area within the Upper Burning Grounds of SIAD. The OD pits were built and used for demilitarization OD operations from the 1950's until 2001.
Currently the SIAD OD units are undergoing closure. As the interim status authority for treatment has been terminated, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has determined that an emergency permit for treatment should be issued. The damaged munitions are a potential safety hazard and present an unacceptable risk for continued storage. SIAD determined that the damaged munitions are too unstable for transportation, and therefore, treatment at an off-site facility is not feasible. There is no alternative on-site treatment available. The munitions are too large to be handled by any available transportable treatment chamber that could be brought to the site.
Contact Information
Name
Beverly Rikala
Agency Name
Department of Toxic Substances Control
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Lassen
Other Location Info
Herlong
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Emergency Project
Type, Section or Code
Sec.21080(b)(4),15269(b)(c)
Reasons for Exemption
This action is necessary to prevent an emergency. DTSC found that a potential for an imminent and substantial endangerment to human health and the environment exists from storage of damaged munitions in proximity to a larger munitions storage area. Delay could result in explosion, fire, unsage working conditions, and risk to employees, including severe injury and property damage. This temporary emergency permit is necessary to prevent such an emergency.
Proposed treatment will be performed in a manner that minimizes potential environmental effects or impacts.
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