UXO Site selected: Blossom Point Research Facility (BPRF) - Operation, MD |
General Area: LaPlata, MD Site Type/Program: Operational - Army Location: BPRF is located in Charles County, MD, approximately 5 miles southwest of the town of La Plata, MD. Blossom Point is located within Charles County, situated on a peninsula, termed Cedar Point Neck on a 1977 United States Geological Survey (USGS) Topographic Map. Brief History: Blossom Point Research Facility was established in 1942 as a national defense facility with the mission of testing small, experimental proximity fuzes and fuze components. In 1975, the facility was closed due to a rapid decline in munitions testing. Since reopening in 1980, the facility has conducted explosives research and development studies, acoustic and optical research, developed mine clearing systems, refined target acquisitions technology, and developed personnel and equipment detection devices. |
Range / Site Description: The ARID-GEO (2006) identified an
operational range area encompassing 1,572.63 acres comprised of seven operational ranges, and a
non-operational use area of 26.51 acres at Blossom Point Research Facility. Two adjustments to the
range complex were noted during the site visit. Facility personnel identified an additional open burn /
open detonation (OB/OD) area encompassing 4.13 acres in the southeast corner of the facility and colocated
within the maneuver and training area. In addition, 17.49 acres had also been reallocated as non-operational range areas. Three acres of the largest range area had been reclassified as a second non-operational area, and 14.49 acres of the same range area were added to the original nonoperational area identified in the ARID-GEO (2006) (U.S. Army Adelphi Laboratory Center, Environmental Engineer, pers comm.). Based on these adjustments, the operational range complex now consists of eight ranges, encompassing 1,555.14 acres and two non-operational areas totaling 44 acres. The current operational range layout includes a small caliber range, an observation tower, an indirect firing range, an impact area, an acoustic and optical test area, two OB/OD areas, and a maneuver and training area. Associated Munitions: Activities Completed: Operational Range Assessment - Phase I September 2008. Issues: Other Information: Eight ranges at Blossom Point Research Facility are categorized as Unlikely, totaling 1,555.14 acres. These ranges consist of a small caliber range, an acoustic and optical test area, two OB/OD areas, an observation tower, an impact area, an indirect firing range, and a maneuver and training area. Ranges where, based upon a review of readily available information, there is sufficient evidence to show that there are no known releases or source-receptor interactions off-range that could present an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment are categorized as Unlikely. Ranges categorized as Unlikely are required to be re-evaluated at least every five years. |
If you have or know of any chanegs to the information posted about
or want to donate additional images or reports on
Blossom Point Research Facility (BPRF) - Operation, MD,
please email UXOInfo.com at
information@uxoinfo.com Back To UXO Site Search Page
Back to UXO Site Inventory Search Page
UXOInfo.com Home
|