&ERA	Explo Systems, Inc., Site
Removal Action
Agency	Camp Minden
Webster Parish, Louisiana	November 2014
This Fact Sheet will tell you about...
•	Current Actions
•	Past Actions
•	Future Actions
•	Site Background
•	For More Information
Current Actions
On October 28, 2014, the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) signed a Settlement
Agreement for the destruction of more than 15
million pounds of military propellants at the
Explo Systems, Inc., Camp Minden, Louisiana
site. The Agreement is effective on
November 4, 2014. This Agreement had
previously been signed by the U.S. Army,
Louisiana Military Department (LMD) of the
Louisiana National Guard, and the Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ).
The Agreement establishes the roles and
responsibilities of these parties:
•	The LMD will perform the work;
•	The United States, on behalf of the
Army, will pay for the work performed;
•	The EPA will oversee the work and
coordinate its review of the work with
LDEQ to ensure the environment is
protected.
In addition, provisions of the Agreement that
deal with the recovery of past costs by EPA will
be published in the Federal Register for 30 days.
After the comment period EPA will finalize the
costs incurred provisions. This aspect of the
Agreement does not delay the effective date.
The work to be performed by the LMD includes
issuing and managing a contract for the onsite
controlled burning of more than 15 million
pounds of military propellants.
EPA selected controlled open burning after
evaluating a number of disposal alternatives. The
Army Explosive Safety Board advised EPA that
deterioration of the propellants could greatly
increase the risk of explosion in as little as a year
from now. EPA selected onsite controlled burning
based on the need to safely dispose of the material
as soon as possible. This approach can be
conducted safely and is an established remedy for
disposing of off specification explosives.
EPA, LDEQ, and LMD have and will be in constant
coordination throughout the removal action. Air,
water, and soil will be tested to minimize
environmental impacts and ensure protection of
human health.
Past Actions
General Dynamics and Alliant Techsystems
(GD/ATK), and Hercules, Inc. signed Agreements
with the EPA to remove and dispose of some 3
million pounds of assorted explosives material.
GD/ATK began the removal of explosives from the
site in April 2014 and will be complete next year.
Hercules, Inc. is removing 661,000 pounds of
nitrocellulose and will be completed by January
2015. The explosives are being packaged and
loaded in accordance with U.S. Department of
Transportation regulations.
Future Actions
EPA will initiate a series of community meetings to
explain progress and solicit input on how best to
communicate progress. EPA will also work with
the parties of the Agreements to ensure the disposal
of all explosive material is conducted as efficiently
as possible without compromising the safety of
workers or the community.

-------
Site Background
On October 15, 2012, one of 98 storage bunkers
at Explo Systems Inc. site exploded prompting
investigations by the EPA, LDEQ, the Louisiana
State Police, and other responders. The
explosion shattered windows in the City of
Minden, Louisiana (approximately 4 miles to
the northeast), and generated a 7,000-foot
mushroom cloud. Explo Systems was under
contract with the Department of Army to
demilitarize surplus munitions. The State Police
found 10 million pounds of unsecured M6
(howitzer gunpowder) improperly stored outside
of the bunkers and 8 million pounds of a variety
of other explosives improperly stored inside
bunkers. To keep the residents safe due to the
potential risk, the town of Doyline, Louisiana
(approximately 400 homes), was evacuated
during operational hours from November 28 to
December 7, 2013. In addition, the Youth
Challenge Program (school) and non-essential
personnel at Camp Minden were evacuated.
The Webster Parish Jail at Camp Minden
followed shelter-in-place procedures.
The State Police directed Explo Systems, Inc.,
to temporarily secure the M6 in available
bunkers. This was completed in May 2013. In
August 2013, Explo Systems Inc. declared
bankruptcy and the Louisiana Military
Department took ownership of the explosives at
the site. EPA then initiated negotiations with all
potentially responsible parties to eliminate the
risks posed by the 18 million pounds of M6 and
other explosives culminating in the October 28,
2014 Agreement.
For More Information
If you would like more information about the
Explo Systems, Inc. Site Removal Action,
contact:
Paige Delgado
U.S. EPA Removal On-Scene Coordinator
214.665.2724 or 800.533.3508 (toll-free)
delgado.paige@epa.gov
Greg Fife
U.S. EPA Removal On-Scene Coordinator
214.665.6773 or 800.533.3508 (toll-free)
fife. greg@epa. gov
Jason McKinney
U.S. EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
214.665.8132 or 800.533.3508 (toll-free)
mckinnev.iason@epa.gov
Donn Walters
U.S. EPA Community Involvement Superfund
Public Liaison
214.665.6483 or 800.533.3508 (toll-free)
walters.donn@epa.gov
Karen Price
Project Manager
Louisiana Department of Environment Quality
225.219.3612
karen.price2@la.gov
On The Web
On the internet, information about U.S. EPA
Region 6 and the Superfund Program can be
found at:
http://www.epa.gov/earthlr6/6sf/6sf.htm
All inquiries from the news media should be
directed to the EPA Region 6 Press Office at
214.665.2200.

-------

-------
oEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Region 6
1445 Ross Ave. (6SF-VO)
Dallas, TX 75202

-------