In every state and in most Congressional districts, unexploded ordnance (UXO) - bombs and shells that failed to explode during military training or testing – pose a health and safety risk to communities and restrict opportunities for economic development. These still-dangerous explosives and harmful contaminants are located on or buried in millions of acres of former military land (much of which now serves as housing, schools, businesses, parks, and playgrounds) on BRAC sites and on active military ranges.

Based on the rate of cleanup estimated by the Department of Defense, restoring our nation’s communities could cost billions of dollars and take over 300 years.  In 2005, over 2,500 sites were identified across the U.S. as needing attention and remediation.

Since 2000, Congressman Blumenauer has taken on this issue and worked closely with his colleagues to direct Congressional funding and legislative action on UXO cleanup and increase investment in technology.  Successes include requiring the Department of Defense to name a program manager in charge of remediation, securing funding for innovative programs to determine the location and density of munitions contamination, and raising the profile of this issue.

In 2005, Congressman Blumenauer formed the bipartisan UXO Caucus as part of an ongoing effort to increase Congressional awareness.  The purpose of the UXO Caucus is to inform Members of the health, safety, and environmental risks of UXO and to highlight the challenges faced by communities and the federal government to clean up UXO and redevelop former military properties.

Making the government clean up after itself is the right thing to do, creates business opportunities at home, and reduces the health and safety risk for our nation’s families and communities.  Congressman Blumenauer will continue to fight to raise awareness of this critical national security, public safety, environmental and economic development issue.

CONGRESSIONAL UXO CAUCUS

110th Congress

The following Members of Congress have already joined the UXO Caucus:

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) Co-Chair
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL) Co-Chair
Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) Co-Chair
Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) Co-Chair
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA)
Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI)
Rep. Gary Miller (R-CA)
Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA)
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC)
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)