1196_NASA WALLOPS BREAKWATER_SPECS_APP B.pdf

Wallops Flight Facility and Unnamed Shoal A Probability Assessment

For

Munitions and Explosives of Concern

Accomack County, VA

19 March 2025

Prepared by

Environmental and Munitions Design Center Baltimore District

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

DRAFT

NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page

1.0 INTRODUCTION……….…………………………………...…….………...….…...…1

2.0 ASSESSMENT AREA BACKGROUND………………………………………….…1

3.0 EVALUATION FOR POTENTIAL MEC.………………………...…………….…….1

4.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION…………………….……………………………

5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS...……………………………………………...……………...2

APPENDIX A………………………………………………………………..…….…..FIGURES

Figure 1 Overall map the construction sampling footprint and borrow ground 4 Figure 2 South part of the shoreline for sampling 4 Figure 3 North part of the shoreline for sampling 5 Figure 4 The borrow ground 6

1.0 Introductions

This Munitions and Explosive of Concern (MEC) probability assessment has been prepared for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Norfolk District CENAO.

Planned dredging and sampling activity requires an assessment for the potential for MEC to be encountered.

This document was prepared by CENAB Environmental and Munitions Design Center (EMDC), Engineering Division, and summarizes historical activities involving military munitions and assesses the probability of encountering MEC.

This assessment documents the findings and recommendations for Wallops flight facility and unnamed borrow ground shoal A. See Figures.

2.0 Assessment Area Background

Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) is a formerly used defense site (FUDS) and is in Accomack County on the Eastern Shore of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The property consists of three areas: the WFF Main Base, Wallops Mainland, and Wallops Island and operated from 1945 till present.

During WWII, the Navy operated the Chincoteague Naval Auxiliary Air Station (CNAAS). After WWII, the Navy operated the Naval Aviation Ordnance Test Station (NAOTS) at this location. In 1959 NAOTS operations ceased, and the property was transferred to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(NASA).

A site-history and past use review was completed for this project location. Records and reports for the project site and surrounding area were reviewed to determine the probability of encountering MEC for Wallops flight facility and unnamed borrow ground shoal A.

Historical records reviewed.

History of Wallops flight facility

FUDS Portal

USACE Archives

Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal (JEOD) Portal – EOD Incident reports.

3.0 Evaluation for Potential Munitions.

A. History of Wallops flight facility

The history of Wallops Flight Facility confirmed the use of military munitions through, testing, training, and disposal. Known military munition ranges include small arms, anti-aircraft, bombing, and torpedo range. The types of munitions known to have been used are 20mm practice, 40mm practice, and 100-pound practice bombs.

B. FUDS Portal, and USACE Archives There were six main areas that have been investigated on Wallops Flight Facility. Each area was investigated through the military munitions response program (MMRP) for potential MEC. During the investigation military munitions items were found, however, all were found to be practice or inert and posed no explosive hazard.

The historical range fans documented in the site inspection (SI) report does not overlap with the Unnamed Shoal Area A study area.

C. Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal (JEOD) Portal – EOD Incident reports

There is only one EOD incident report found within the vicinity of Wallops, a 100lbs practice bomb in 2016. The findings from this incident report are not

MEC.

4.0 Summary and Conclusion for Wallops Island area and the Unnamed Shoal Area A

A. Wallops Island area (land and near shore area), after reviewing historical documents, it was determined there is evidence of military munitions use within the construction footprint of this site. However, as the SI report documented, no MEC was identified during the investigation and only practice and inert ordnance is anticipated. Based on these findings there is a “Low Probability” of encountering MEC.

B. The Unnamed Shoal Area A is not in any known military munitions range fans contained in historical documents from Wallops Island or Assateague. There are no known floating targets that were place near Unnamed Shoal Area A. With the available information gathered there is a “Low Probability” of encountering MEC in this borrow area.

5.0 Recommendations for Wallops Island area and the Unnamed Shoal Area A

A. In accordance with DESR 6055-09 Edition 1, Change 1, it is the recommendation of CENAB Military Munitions Design Center that Wallops Flight Facility and shoreline area be classified as “Low Probability” for encountering MEC.

B. In accordance with DESR 6055-09 Edition 1, Change 1, it is the recommendation of CENAB Military Munitions Design Center that Unnamed Shaol Area A be classified as “Low Probability” for encountering MEC.

For geotechnical surveys sampling, it is recommended that on-call MEC support be made available. All site workers should review the 3R’s of Explosive Safety (Recognize, Retreat, Report) awareness (link below).

For dredging operations it is recommended at a minimum, MEC screening be instituted on the beach. It is also recommended that MEC support using either DDESB TP-18 Qualified UXO Technicians or Ordnance and Explosive Safety Specialists be on call during beach renourishment activities.

It is further recommended that 3R’s awareness (Recognize, Retreat, Report) be provided to all site workers in all phases of work. The following website is a good resource for the 3R’s briefing, https://www.denix.osd.mil/uxo/.

Point of contact for this MEC Probability Assessment is Matthew Rushwald, Ordnance & Explosives Safety Specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District.

Signature:

Ordnance and Explosive Safety Specialist, Matthew Rushwald

Chief, Ordnance and Explosive Safety, Marty Holmes

Name:

USACE CENAO Commander or Designee

RUSHWALD.MATTHEW.BRETT

.1029859678

Digitally signed by

RUSHWALD.MATTHEW.BRETT.1029859678

Date: 2025.03.19 09:06:40 -04'00'

HOLMES.MARTY.ALAN.10170

90972

Digitally signed by

HOLMES.MARTY.ALAN.1017090972

Date: 2025.03.19 08:40:30 -04'00'

Anthony C. Funkhouser, PMP

FUNKHOUSER.ANTHONY.CHAR

LES.1049342876

Digitally signed by

FUNKHOUSER.ANTHONY.CHARLES.1049342876

Date: 2025.04.20 22:12:16 -04'00'

APPENDIX A

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3 g g

Figure 4