What threat does UXO pose on Adak?
UXO poses an acute risk. If you come in contact with a grenade, for instance, you could be killed or seriously injured. The Navy imposed strict regulations on military personnel, thus preventing any accidents with UXO. Those same controls would be difficult to impose on a civilian community, particularly where there is no municipal government. Q: How is UXO influencing the reuse plans of this base? A: That’s the dilemma we’re facing now. The RAB, made up of representatives of all Adak stakeholders, needs to determine the best course of action. We have to consider all the implications. On one hand, the Adak base is a complete town with housing for 6,000 people, schools, a hospital, shops, and a bowling alley. It’s an ideal site for reuse in many ways. But without cleanup, the human risk is enormous. Unfortunately, the price tag for remediation is enormous as well. We’re really between a rock and a hard place. It’s up to the decision-makersthe Navy, EPA, and the stateto determine whether