Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009

DUNCAN HUNTER NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 -- (House of Representatives - May 22, 2008)

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Mr. BLUMENAUER. I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy.

We take great pride in the United States, being the best fighting force the world. However, as a result of the training, bombs and shells that have failed to explode during exercises are located in every State of the Union on millions of acres of land. The cleanup of the 3,500 military Munitions Response Program sites alone is going to cost over $20 billion, and at the current rate, take 200 to 300 years.

Unexploded ordnance technologies and levels of funding are clearly inadequate. Refining detection technologies will significantly reduce cleanup costs and allow for more rapid cleanup. This amendment moves us in the direction by making research and development of UXO detection a priority, facilitates the deployment of this in the field where it's needed through partnership with outside entities and training of skilled operators. It requires the Department of Defense to provide a detailed review of its activities in this area by February, 2009.

I deeply appreciate the cooperation of the committee in leveraging scarce funding for environmental remediation and the focus of the Department's efforts to clean up the millions of unexploded ordnance in our lands and waters. We will save money, protect the environment, and make our soldiers safer.

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