Leading Change for Installation Excellence

Transcription

1 MEC Assessment Using Working Dogs Hap Gonser US U.S. Army Environmental lc Command Impact Area Groundwater Study Program March 12, 2008 Leading Change for Installation Excellence 1 of 22

2 Agenda Sustainable Cleanup Massachusetts Military Reservation Cleanup Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) Considerations Use of Working Dogs for MEC Assessment and Response Use of Robotics for MEC Assessment and Response 2of 22

3 Basic Principles Sustainable Cleanup Protecting the environment Being socially responsible Ensuring economic growth Cleanup Impacts Environment soil, air, water Cultural & natural resources Economic resources Site Assessment Remediation Operation 3of 22

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6 Massachusetts Military Reservation Cleanup Environment: sandy soil, high rainfall, rapid migration, large on- &offbase off-base plumes Scope: 94 sites, 23 plumes Remedies: source removal, pump & treat 20 million gallons per day 6of 22

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8 MEC Considerations Worker Safety Public Safety Cultural & Natural Resources Cost Future Land Use Potential Environmental Impact 8of 22

9 Use of Working Dogs for MEC Assessment and Response Goals of Pilot Study Determine dogs ability to detect buried MEC items Compare dogs detections with results from magnetometer surveys Study Parameters 6 week trial with 5 dogs investigating 4 areas Calibrated on test plot daily Taken to test area to search for explosives Alert by sitting next to location of detection Geophysical (EM61) survey completed in same areas 9of 22

10 Calibration at Test Plot 10 of 22

11 Range Survey 11 of 22

12 Use of Working Dogs for MEC Assessment and Response Study Findings Dogs alerted on MEC items, propellants, UXO and soil contamination Dogs did not alert on 1 fuse and 1 30mm (unk. filler) Benefits of working dogs Highly advanced sense of smell, alert only on explosives, detect surface and subsurface items, relatively inexpensive, able to reduce manpower and increase search speed Limitations of working dogs Highly sensitive to even trace residue, may be effected by weather extremes, not suitable for thick bramble/sharp metal Next Steps check test areas, further trials 12 of 22

13 Potential Uses of Working Dogs for MEC Assessment and Response Detection of bulk explosives, propellants and contaminated soil Pin flag reduction Detection of explosives/mec burials/disposal l QA/QC of MEC cleared areas Verification of presumed MEC free areas Other? 13 of 22

14 Use of Robotics for MEC Assessment and Response Goals of Technology Demonstration Evaluate the ability of various robotic tools to clear MEC in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner Initial Study Parameters Clear vegetation from former 40 mm-grenade range using robotic cutter and mulcher Use robotic rake and screener to gather/remove MEC Determine suitability, limitations, productivity, costs and benefits of robotic tools for this type of work 14 of 22

15 Robotics Technology Demonstration Findings Robotics worked as expected Able to reduce time and manpower - cleared > 1 acre/day (15 pines) Reduced worker exposure/increased worker safety Able to work in a variety of weather conditions, including snow Somewhat limited by line of sight 15 of 22

16 Robotics Technology Demonstration Next Steps Conduct clearance studies at other ranges under a variety of conditions - terrain, vegetation Test additional equipment to remove MEC items backhoe, magnet, rotary bucket, mechanical arm Determine if robotics could have wide-spread use in range operations & maintenance/range sustainability and munitions response 16 of 22

17 Potential Uses of Robotics for MEC Assessment and Response Vegetative clearance Geophysical interference removal Geophysical surveys MEC removal rake, rotary bucket, backhoe with thumb, mechanical arm, magnet 17 of 22

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22 Points of Contact: t Bill Gallagher william.gallagher4@us.army.mil g Hap Gonser kent.gonser1@us.army.mil 22 of 22