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g. Unexploded Military Ordnance from WWII — Hazard <br />Identification. <br />Unexploded military ordnance is a hazard unique to Indian <br />River County. The military used the Fort Pierce Naval <br />Amphibious Training Base, an area of about 19,000 acres <br />between Vero Beach and Jensen Beach, during World War II <br />for amphibious training and to develop and test procedures for <br />breaching and removing beach fortifications expected to be <br />encountered in Europe and Japan. A variety of ordnance was <br />tested against these fortifications. Training at the base <br />included testing of bombs, rockets, and mines. Several <br />explosive devices left over from these training missions have <br />been found along the shores of Vero Beach and Ft. Pierce. <br />Public exposure to unexploded ordnance could occur primarily <br />as a result of three types of activities: earth moving (building <br />construction, pool construction, and major landscaping), <br />recreational diving, and use of beach areas. Unexploded <br />ordnance also may wash ashore or be exposed after storms <br />(Indian River County Department of Emergency Services, <br />2002). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Jacksonville office) <br />with the full cooperation of Indian River County Department of <br />Emergency Management, is responsible for coordinating the <br />disposal of any found items with the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast <br />Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and <br />Indian River County. <br />The most recent finding, in January, 2014, was during an <br />offshore removal action conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of <br />Engineers (Corps) in Indian River County, south of Vero <br />Beach, to address debris associated with past military activities <br />in the area. Contractors discovered two suspected bombs in <br />approximately 11 feet of water. An explosives and ordnance <br />disposal unit from the Mayport Naval Station excavated the <br />items and towed them approximately one mile offshore for <br />assessment and possible underwater detonation. <br />Vulnerability Assessment. Unexploded military ordnance <br />can have the following potential impacts within a community: <br />• Health and human safety; <br />• Psychological hardship; <br />• Damage to critical environmental resources; and <br />• Toxic release. <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 76 <br />