BOMARC cleanup plans proceed

Plans for the plutonium cleanup of the Bomarc missile base at Route 539, Plumsted, was the subject of a meeting in New Hanover Township.

Contractors from Chem-Nuclear Systems of Columbia, S.C. reported on their work plan for the long delayed cleanup project. Approximately 8,600 tons of contaminated concrete, asphalt and soil that could contain up to 11 ounces of toxic plutonium which was left behind following a June 7, 1960 missile fire. It was deemed one of the most serious nuclear weapons accident within an American military facility. A helium tank burst inside one of 56 Bomarc anti-aircraft missiles housed in concrete shelters within the base. This rupture ignited liquid fuel and oxidizer, fueling a blaze that took firefighters 15 hours to put out.

Only a few pieces of the missles melted 12-kiloton warhead when the fire was over. Scientists believe that approximately 11 ounces of the dense plutonium metal were dispersed by the fire.

While experts have taken the position for years that the plutonium debris posed no immediate danger because of its being bound up in pavement and soil behind the base fence, the plutonium decays very slowly and loses half its radioactive within 24,000 years time.

The Air Force has agreed to cleaning up the mess as its permanent solution. The McGuire Air Force Base Restoration Advisory Board meeting was open to the public and was held at the New Hanover Township Hall on Main Street and Hocamick Road, Cookstown section.

A formal public hearing will be held prior to the cleanup work according to Lt. Michael Nachshen, a base spokesman.

According to environmental studies the oxidized plutonium is still in and around the missile shelter which was an active base from 1959-1972. The soil of a drainage ditch where fire-fighting water flowed. The Air Force painted and repaved around the burned-out shelter periodically and 46th Air Defense Squadron veterans who were stationed have reported that the area was not off-limits. Radiation-dosage badges were however regularly issued to them. The cost of the Bomarc cleanup by Chem-Nuclear is estimated at $4.5 million.