UXO Site selected: Blue Grass Army Depot, KY |
General Area: Lexington, KY Site Type/Program: RCWM sites (Non-stockpile) Location: 30 miles southeast of Lexington, Madison County Brief History: 1942 - Present Chemical agents have been stored at the installation. April 1942 Construction of the ammunition storage area, a general supply storage area, and a utilities and administrative area began on the 14,494-acre tract of land. The Lexington-Blue Grass Depot Activity [now known as the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD)] was assigned the mission for receipt, issue, storage, maintenance, and disposal of ammunition. 4 September 1942 The first completed portion of this installation was turned over to the Ordnance Department by Army Engineers. 2 October 1942 Actual operations of the installation began when seven carloads of ammunition were received for storage. 25 October 1943 The operation of the installation was assumed by a private corporation under the name of Blue Grass Ordnance Depot, Inc. 25 October 1945 The Federal Government resumed operations. 1949 1951 Most of the chemical munitions were shipped to Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA). Demolition and burning operations were also conducted here. 1949 1955 The Demolition and Burning Ground was used to burn leaking mustard-filled projectiles. 1951 105-millimeter mustard-filled projectiles were demilitarized. |
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Range / Site Description: CWM sites - Trench - Area and Demilitarization Grounds Trech Area - described as mustard trench. Discovered in southwest part of installation in 1988. Method of disposal unknown. This area may be the same as the demilitarization and disposal grounds. Approximate size of the trench is 60 by 30 feet. Demilitarization Grounds - Active from 1949 to 1955. In 1951, mustard projectiles broken apart by explosives and agent drained and burned. Casings were stored and later shipped to Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Potential for residue from 243 105-millimeter mustard-filled munitions. Nine hundred projectiles burned. Source states 9 leaking 155millimeter shells and 10 leaking 105millimeter shells destroyed June through August 1950. Total of 43,343 155millimeter and 3,194 105-millimeter shells destroyed 1950 to 1951. Associated Munitions: Activities Completed: 1987 Investigations were initiated at 13 SWMUs, including the Demolition and Burning Ground (also known as the Mustard Burial Trenches), which involves chemical munitions. Further investigation at this site is planned. In addition to the Demolition and Burning Ground, another site involving chemical agents is the Temporary H Storage Site; it has been identified as a requirement in the 1993 Installation Restoration Program (IRP) Work Plan. 1990 After applying for a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Part B Permit, a RCRA Facility Assessment was completed, and identified 39 solid waste management units (SWMUs) and four areas of concern.The mission of BGAD includes the receipt, storage, and issuance of ammunition; repair of general supplies; calibration of electronics equipment; and demilitarization of munitions. Chemical agents that are stored at BGAD are nerve agents GB and VX, and the blister agent mustard (H), which is contained in a variety of munitions and configurations. All of these agents are stored in liquid form. " Issues: Other Information: No mustard or mustard breakdown products found in soil samples. Samples taken circa 1989. |
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