Munitions and Explosives of Concern
Munitions Links
- All Munitions Links
- Key Munitions Documents
- EPA Munitions Policy and Guidance
- Site-specific Munitions Information
- Other Federal Agency Resources
- Department of Defense (DoD) Munitions Policy and Guidance
- Government Accounting Office (GAO) Munitions Related Reports
- Additional Information Resources
- Hazard Assessment for Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) Workgroup
Hazard Assessment (MEC HA) Methodology Technical Work Group (TWG)
In spring 2004, EPA convened a work group with other federal agencies, states and tribal participants to develop a hazard assessment
methodology for munitions response sites. The methodology is intended to be used in the CERCLA process to help project teams evaluate
current or baseline explosive safety hazards to people, as well as the relative reduction hazards associated with CERCLA removal or
remedial action alternatives. The TWG has developed the following technical reference documents, outreach efforts and other materials
related to this initiative.
Interim Munitions and Explosives of Concern Hazard Assessment (MEC HA) Methodology
This link contains the October 2008 Interim MEC HA Methodology Document and Appendices. The MEC HA methodology was developed as a tool
to assist site managers and regulators in evaluating explosive safety hazards to people at munitions response sites (MRS) consistent
with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act - the federal law governing the cleanup of contaminated
sites. In addition, this link contains the Final Responses to Comments from the January 2007 to March 2007 Public Review on the November
2006 Draft Document.
Project teams can use the methodology to evaluate baseline explosive hazards to people based on current or reasonably anticipated land use activities. The methodology can also be used to evaluate relative reduction of explosive hazards to people through CERCLA removal or remedial actions. The MEC HA methodology is designed to be a collaborative process that draws on the collective experience and understanding of project team members and stakeholders. The Interim MEC HA Methodology will be applied on a trial basis for 2 to 3 years at MRS where a munitions response is ongoing. At the end of this time frame, the effectiveness of the MEC HA methodology will be evaluated, and may be updated as needed. More information on the MEC HA methodology and background can be found at the following web links.
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
Technical Reference Documents
- Hazard Assessment (HA) for Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC): Workgroup Briefing Book
- Table of Contents (PDF) (1 pg, 8K) - April 15, 2004
- Section A: Introduction (PDF) (6 pp, 26K) - April 15, 2004
- Section B: Glossary/Acronyms (PDF) (10 pp, 49K) - April 15, 2004
- Section C: Issue Papers (PDF) (46 pp, 164K) - April 15, 2004
- Section D: Background Material (PDF) (44 pp, 182K) - April 15, 2004
- Unexploded Ordnance: A Critical Review of Risk Assessment Methods (Rand Report) (PDF) (181 pp, 1.6MB) - 2004
- MEC HA Framework Options Papers
- Paper #1: Performance Objectives and Criteria (PDF) (5 pp, 26K) - October 7, 2004
- Paper #2: Comparison of Munitions Response Site Prioritization Protocol (MRSPP) and Initial MEC HA Consensus Input Factors (PDF) (18 pp, 93K) - October 7, 2004
- Paper #2b: Is the Unmodified MRSPP Adequate for a Site-specific HA for MECs? (PDF) (7 pp, 47K) - October 15, 2004
- Paper #3: Recommended Input Factors (PDF) (10 pp, 46K) - October 7, 2004
- Paper #4: Structure and Output (PDF) (7 pp, 108K) - October 7, 2004
- Paper #5: The Role of the MEC HA in the Decision-Making Process (PDF) (3 pp, 40K) - October 7, 2004
Outreach Efforts
- Outreach Planning Matrix
- MEC HA Outreach Planning Matrix (XLS) (39K) - September 19, 2007
- Facts Sheets
- MEC HA fact sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 40K) - April 2005
- HA for MEC Concept Paper (PDF) (6 pp, 121K) - October 2004
- Briefings and Presentations
- MEC HA Status Briefing for U.S. Air Force Personnel (PPT) (4MB) - October 14, 2005
- MEC HA Stakeholder Panel Workshop Briefing (PPT) (4MB) - September 21, 2005
- MEC HA Status Briefing for DoD (PPT) (4MB) - September 12, 2005
- MEC HA Status Briefing at the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials Conference (PPT) (4MB) - August 4, 2005
- Munitions Response Committee Briefing of the MEC HA Initiative (PDF) (21 pp, 88K) - October 20, 2004
- Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Briefing of the MEC HA Initiative (PDF) (15 pp, 102K) - October 6, 2004
Meeting Minutes
- Hazard Assessment for Munitions and Explosives of Concern Workgroup Meeting Minutes
- MEC HA Meeting Notes May 29, 30 and June 1, 2007 (Crystal City, VA) (PDF) (3 pp, 49K)
- Workgroup Minutes May 2-3, 2006 (Tyndall AFB, FL) (PDF) (7 pp, 42K)
- MEC HA Comment Review Minutes March 28-30, 2006 (Huntsville, AL) (PDF) (8 pp, 42K)
- Workgroup Minutes October 11-12, 2005 (Arlington, VA) (PDF) (23 pp, 131K)
- Executive Sponsor Minutes March 30, 2005 (Washington DC) (PDF) (21 pp, 527K)
- Workgroup Minutes March 29-30, 2005 (Washington, DC) (PDF) (62 pp, 1MB)
- Workgroup Minutes January 11-12, 2005 (Crystal City, VA) (PDF) (28 pp, 1MB)
- Workgroup Minutes December 16-17, 2004 (Washington DC) (PDF) (24 pp, 698K)
- Workgroup Minutes November 4-5, 2004 (Washington, DC) (PDF) (36 pp, 794K)
- Workgroup Minutes July 29-30, 2004 (Washington, DC) (PDF) (9 pp, 51K)
- Workgroup Minutes May 4-5, 2004 (Springfield, VA) (PDF, 17 pages, 67KB)