CONCORD, Mass. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, with assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Huntsville District Military Munitions Design Center, and their contractor, UXB International, have developed for review and public comment a Proposed Plan for the Tisbury Great Pond Formerly Used Defense Site in Chilmark and West Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.
A public meeting to discuss the plan was held June 23 in West Tisbury and public comments on the Proposed Plan are due by July 17, 2015.
The Proposed Plan is available for review at the West Tisbury Free Public Library and on the Corps website at: www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/ProjectsTopics/MarthasVineyardRIFS.aspx.
Between 1943 and 1947, Tisbury Great Pond was used as a practice dive bombing and strafing range in support of the U.S. Navy’s fighter training program. Military practice ordnance was used at the site.
Additionally, spotting charges (also called signals) were used in the practice bombs for pilots to confirm bombing accuracy.
Since the end of military operations in 1947, numerous reports identifying practice bombs and spotting charges have been identified at the site by local residents, wildlife refuge officials and Corps personnel. The practice bombs that remain at the site present a potential explosive safety hazard.
Over the past several years, the Corps of Engineers has completed an investigation of the potential explosives safety, health, and environmental issues resulting from past munitions use at the site. The Proposed Plan describes the remedial alternatives considered for this site and identifies the preferred alternative.
The public can review the Proposed Plan for the Tisbury Great Pond Formerly Used Defense Site and provide comments by July 17, 2015 to the government via the government’s contractor, UXB International and their subcontractor, Amec Foster Wheeler Environmental and Infrastructure, Inc. Comments can be submitted by mail to: Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure, Inc., ATTN: Ms. Donna Sharp, 9725 Cogdill Road, Knoxville, Tennessee 37932 or by email to donna.sharp@amecfw.com.
Questions or concerns regarding this project can be directed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager, Ms. Carol Ann Charette at 978-318-8605 (office) or 978-505-2918 (cell).