The purpose of the Military Munitions Rule (MMR) is to define responsibilities and procedures for managing military munitions response actions involving the cleanup of military munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) at active and former Department of Defense (DoD) facilities and ranges, and DoD-controlled properties. The MMR establishes requirements for the investigation and cleanup of munitions and explosives of concern resulting from military activities conducted on or after November 1, 1980, and any time before November 1, 1980, on an installation that was an active military installation on that date.
The MMR provides a consistent framework for managing military munitions response actions, including:
* Investigation and characterization of munitions and explosives of concern
* Development and implementation of cleanup plans
* Community involvement
* Long-term stewardship
The MMR is based on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). The MMR is also consistent with the National Contingency Plan (NCP), which provides the overall framework for environmental response actions under CERCLA.
Scope of the Military Munitions Rule
The MMR applies to all DoD facilities and ranges, and DoD-controlled properties where munitions and explosives of concern may have been used, stored, or disposed of. The MMR also applies to all DoD-sponsored activities that involve the use, storage, or disposal of munitions and explosives of concern, regardless of where the activities are conducted.
Key Components of the Military Munitions Rule
The MMR includes several key components, including:
* Investigation and Characterization: The MMR requires that DoD facilities and ranges conduct investigations to identify and characterize munitions and explosives of concern. These investigations must be conducted in accordance with the NCP and other applicable regulations.
* Cleanup Plans: The MMR requires that DoD facilities and ranges develop and implement cleanup plans for munitions and explosives of concern. These cleanup plans must be approved by the appropriate regulatory authority and must be consistent with the NCP and other applicable regulations.
* Community Involvement: The MMR requires that DoD facilities and ranges involve the local community in the planning and implementation of munitions and explosives of concern response actions. This involvement must include providing information about the response actions to the community, and listening to and addressing community concerns.
* Long-Term Stewardship: The MMR requires that DoD facilities and ranges conduct long-term stewardship activities to ensure that munitions and explosives of concern do not pose a risk to human health or the environment. These activities must include monitoring the cleanup sites, maintaining institutional controls, and conducting periodic reviews.