oEPA	Camp Minden Site
Removal Action
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Explo Systems, Inc.
Webster Parish, Louisiana	June 2015
	
This Fact Sheet will tell you about:
Current Actions
Future Actions
Past Actions
Site Background
• For More Information...
Contacts
The safety of the public is our most
important consideration. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
strongly believes that public engagement
leads to better informed decisions — both
for the EPA and for the community. The
EPA remains committed to finding ways to
increase the involvement of local officials
and the community in the remedy as we
move forward in addressing the cleanup
actions at Camp Minden.
Current Actions
Details of the Contained Burn System
(CBS), an alternative remedy selected by
Louisiana Military Department (LMD), was
the topic for a Community Meeting held
May 28, 2015. Representatives from the
EPA, Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality (LDEQ), and LMD
were available to answer questions from the
community on removal actions.
It was necessary for EPA to postpone a
proposed community meeting on June 11,
2015 in order to ensure that the LMD's
contractor could be available to explain the
Contained Burn system. On June 18, 2015
the contract between LMD and Explosive
Service International (ESI) was signed.
Future Actions
The next Community Meeting is in the
process of being scheduled. ESI will be on
hand to discuss details of their Contained Burn
system.
Under the AOC, LMD will submit a draft
work plan, a health and safety plan, and an
emergency response plan to EPA for
approval. The health and safety plan
addresses health and safety measures to be
conducted during the removal action to
protect workers during the action. The
emergency response plan will detail what
will happen at the Site, response duties, and
required notifications in the event of an
incident during the action.
The Contained Burn system will take
approximately five months to construct. The
operation will be conducted on a 24 hour
basis to achieve the daily disposal rate
required. The vendor recommends Area-I in
Bossier Parish for operations due to its
secluded location.
Past Actions
LMD submitted a contractor proposal to
EPA for the cleanup of M6 propellant. EPA
approved the contractor proposal after

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conducting a technical review. EPA
announced the technology that was selected
on May 8, 2015.
At an April 16, 2015 workshop, citizens
learned various air data collection
mechanisms planned to be used during the
cleanup. Residents also viewed the
equipment that is being utilized on site.
They received detailed descriptions of the
equipment's functions and placement.
Citizens learned processes used to measure
and analyze the baseline standard for air
quality for any potential or accidental
exposure during the removal actions.
A second workshop was held on April 23,
2015. During this workshop, residents
learned basic response preparedness
including: how local officials notify
residents when an incident occurs; response
procedures; and actions citizens should take
in order to protect their families.
The EPA released an amended action memo
March 18, 2015, which allowed alternative
technologies to be considered in disposing
of the materials abandoned by Explo
Systems, Inc. The amendment clears the
way for the LMD to review quotes for
alternative methods and select a company to
dispose of the M6. A copy of the amended
action memo is available at:
http://www2.epa.gov/la/camp-minden.
The 90-day extension to the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act (CERCLA) settlement
agreement granted to the state by the EPA
expired April 15, 2015.
On February 10, 2015, LMD notified EPA
of their plans to use the Emergency
Response Procedures set forth in Governor
Jindal's Executive Order (BJ2013-14) to
request additional information for alternative
technologies from vendors by March 18, 2015.
Site Background
An uncontrolled explosion at Camp Minden
shattered windows four miles away in the
City of Minden and generated a 7,000-foot
mushroom cloud on October 15, 2012. The
Louisiana State Police (LSP) investigated
the explosion and discovered millions of
pounds of chemicals and explosives
improperly stored and exposed to the
weather at Camp Minden. LSP directed
Explo to secure these materials and
immediately protect them from the weather
to prevent further deterioration.
In August 2013, Explo filed for bankruptcy
and abandoned materials at Camp Minden.
LMD took ownership of the abandoned
materials in September 2013.
For More Information...
If you would like more information about
Camp Minden, visit our website at:
www.epa.gov/region6.
You can also review copies of information
at:
Webster Parish Library
521 East and West Street
Minden, LA 71055
(318) 371-3080
Doyline Branch Library
333 Main Street
P.O. Box 8
Doyline, LA 71023
(318) 745-3800
Contacts
Citizens can call 800.887.6063 during
normal business hours (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
weekdays) and send email to our dedicated
mailbox: r6 camp minden@epa.gov.
All inquiries from the news media should be
directed to the EPA Region 6 Press Office at
214.665.2200 or by email at:
R6press@epa. gov.

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$E PA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
1445 Ross Ave
Suite 1200 (6SF-VO)
Dallas, TX 75202

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