Our cleanup work is prioritized by using a risk management approach, those properties posing the highest and most imminent risk to human health, safety and the environment are addressed first. DoD focuses on actions that reduce risks in the short-term and then addresses longer-term risk management actions.
For the Installation Restoration Program (IRP) that deal with hazardous waste sites, sites are categorized as High, Medium, or Low relative risk, based on the degree of contamination, whether the contamination is migrating, and whether a receptor is available.
For the Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP) that deals with munitions and explosives of concern (MEC), DoD developed a Munitions Response Site Prioritization Protocol (MRSPP) in conjunction with EPA and many other stakeholders. Sites are scored based on types of munitions or constituents at the site, receptors, and the likelihood that receptors will come in contact with MEC.
As funds become available to clean up IRP and MMRP sites, other factors may affect the sequence in which work is scheduled. Concerns by stakeholders are certainly factors that could influence a decision maker, moving one site ahead of another as DoD employs its risk management approach.
Remember, these properties are no longer controlled by the Department of Defense and range from privately owned businesses and private homes to national parks.