Poquoson residents feel and hear removal of WWII era bombs from Plum Tree

Residents of Poquoson, Va., feel and hear explosions coming from the nearby Plum Tree Island Range a former aerial bombing and gunnery range, now a National Wildlife Refuge.

The explosions felt were of two 250-pound bombs, not delivered recently by any aircraft, but were found laying unexploded many years after they were dropped. They were located as part of the ongoing Formerly Used Defense site cleanup effort to remove dangerous unexploded munitions

Joe McCauley "Last winter they found some world war one era munitions this year they found at least two 250 pound bombs and these are found just along transects so if you do the math there is obviously a lot more out there than what were finding in just the transects."

For McCauley the process is just a start. As the Refuge Manager he wants to know what is out on the more than 3 thousand acre refuge he is responsible for, so he can make a determination of what activities might possibly be allowed on the site in the future.

McCauley"If we can provide safe access for fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, interpretation, environmental education or photography then we are encouraged to do that."




Safety is the main concern. Not in just what future activities may or may not be allowed but also a concern for the wildlife that calls the refuge home.

McCauley " We want to make sure that as were doing this vital work were causing the least impact to the wildlife on the refuge as possible."

The contractors working for the Army Corps of Engineers will begin taking soil samples as part of the next step in determining the way forward to best handle Plum Tree Island. A way forward that could include hearing and feeling more explosions from the one time bombing range.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Explosion
• 250lbs Bomb
• Munitions
• Army
• Air Force
• Plum Tree Island
• FUDS
• Defense Sites
• Army Corps of Engineers
• Norfolk District
• Baltimore District
• USACE
• Shaw
• Wildlife Refuge
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife
• Poquoson
• Virginia

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