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National
United States Regulations
32 CFR PART 179—MUNITIONS RESPONSE SITE PRIORITIZATION PROTOCOL (MRSPP)



Title 32: National Defense





PART 179—MUNITIONS RESPONSE SITE PRIORITIZATION PROTOCOL (MRSPP)

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Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2710 et seq.

Source: 70 FR 58028, Oct. 5, 2005, unless otherwise noted.

§ 179.1 Purpose.
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The Department of Defense (the Department) is adopting this Munitions Response Site Prioritization Protocol (MRSPP) (hereinafter referred to as the “rule”) under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2710(b). Provisions of 10 U.S.C. 2710(b) require that the Department assign to each defense site in the inventory required by 10 U.S.C. 2710(a) a relative priority for response activities based on the overall conditions at each location and taking into consideration various factors related to safety and environmental hazards.

§ 179.2 Applicability and scope.
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(a) This part applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Defense Agencies and the Department Field Activities, and any other Department organizational entity or instrumentality established to perform a government function (hereafter referred to collectively as the “Components”).

(b) The rule in this part shall be applied at all locations:

(1) That are, or were, owned by, leased to, or otherwise possessed or used by the Department, and

(2) That are known to, or suspected of, containing unexploded ordnance (UXO), discarded military munitions (DMM), or munitions constituents (MC), and

(3) That are included in the inventory established pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2710(a).

(c) The rule in this part shall not be applied at the locations not included in the inventory required under 10 U.S.C. 2710(a). The locations not included in the inventory are:

(1) Locations that are not, or were not, owned by, leased to, or otherwise possessed or used by the Department,

(2) Locations neither known to contain, or suspected of containing, UXO, DMM, or MC,

(3) Locations outside the United States,

(4) Locations where the presence of military munitions results from combat operations,

(5) Currently operating military munitions storage and manufacturing facilities,

(6) Locations that are used for, or were permitted for, the treatment or disposal of military munitions, and

(7) Operational ranges.

§ 173.3 Definitions.
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This part includes definitions for many terms that clarify its scope and applicability. Many of the terms relevant to this part are already defined, either in 10 U.S.C. 101, 10 U.S.C. 2710(e), or the Code of Federal Regulations. Where this is the case, the statutory and regulatory definitions are repeated here strictly for ease of reference. Citations to the U.S. Code or the Code of Federal Regulations are provided with the definition, as applicable. Unless used elsewhere in the U.S. Code or the Code of Federal Regulations, these terms are defined only for purposes of this part.

Barrier means a natural obstacle or obstacles (e.g., difficult terrain, dense vegetation, deep or fast-moving water), a man-made obstacle or obstacles (e.g., fencing), and combinations of natural and man-made obstacles.

Chemical agent (CA) means a chemical compound (to include experimental compounds) that, through its chemical properties produces lethal or other damaging effects on human beings, is intended for use in military operations to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate persons through its physiological effects. Excluded are research, development, testing and evaluation (RDTE) solutions; riot control agents; chemical defoliants and herbicides; smoke and other obscuration materials; flame and incendiary materials; and industrial chemicals. (This definition is based on the definition of “chemical agent and munition” in 50 U.S.C. 1521(j)(1).)

Chemical Agent (CA) Hazard is a condition where danger exists because CA is present in a concentration high enough to present potential unacceptable effects (e.g., death, injury, damage) to people, operational capability, or the environment.

Chemical Warfare Materiel (CWM) means generally configured as a munition containing a chemical compound that is intended to kill, seriously injure, or incapacitate a person through its physiological effects. CWM includes V- and G-series nerve agents or H-series (mustard) and L-series (lewisite) blister agents in other-than-munition configurations; and certain industrial chemicals (e.g., hydrogen cyanide (AC), cyanogen chloride (CK), or carbonyl dichloride (called phosgene or CG)) configured as a military munition. Due to their hazards, prevalence, and military-unique application, chemical agent identification sets (CAIS) are also considered CWM. CWM does not include riot control devices; chemical defoliants and herbicides; industrial chemicals (e.g., AC, CK, or CG) not configured as a munition; smoke and other obscuration-producing items; flame and incendiary-producing items; or soil, water, debris, or other media contaminated with low concentrations of chemical agents where no CA hazards exist. For the purposes of this Protocol, CWM encompasses four subcategories of specific materials:

(1) CWM, explosively configured are all munitions that contain a CA fill and any explosive component. Examples are M55 rockets with CA, the M23 VX mine, and the M360 105-mm GB artillery cartridge.

(2) CWM, nonexplosively configured are all munitions that contain a CA fill, but that do not contain any explosive components. Examples are any chemical munition that does not contain explosive components and VX or mustard agent spray canisters.

(3) CWM, bulk container are all non-munitions-configured containers of CA (e.g., a ton container) and CAIS K941, toxic gas set M–1 and K942, toxic gas set M–2/E11.

(4) CAIS are military training aids containing small quantities of various CA and other chemicals. All forms of CAIS are scored the same in this rule, except CAIS K941, toxic gas set M–1; and CAIS K942, toxic gas set M–2/E11, which are considered forms of CWM, bulk container, due to the relatively large quantities of agent contained in those types of sets.

Components means the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Defense Agencies, the Department Field Activities, and any other Department organizational entity or instrumentality established to perform a government function.

Defense site means locations that are or were owned by, leased to, or otherwise possessed or used by the Department. The term does not include any operational range, operating storage or manufacturing facility, or facility that is used for or was permitted for the treatment or disposal of military munitions. (10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(1))

Discarded military munitions (DMM) means military munitions that have been abandoned without proper disposal or removed from storage in a military magazine or other storage area for the purpose of disposal. The term does not include UXO, military munitions that are being held for future use or planned disposal, or military munitions that have been properly disposed of consistent with applicable environmental laws and regulations. (10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(2))

Explosive hazard means a condition where danger exists because explosives are present that may react (e.g., detonate, deflagrate) in a mishap with potential unacceptable effects (e.g., death, injury, damage) to people, property, operational capability, or the environment.

Military munitions means all ammunition products and components produced for or used by the armed forces for national defense and security, including ammunition products or components under the control of the Department of Defense, the Coast Guard, the Department of Energy, and the National Guard. The term includes confined gaseous, liquid, and solid propellants; explosives, pyrotechnics, chemical and riot control agents, smokes, and incendiaries, including bulk explosives and chemical warfare agents; chemical munitions, rockets, guided and ballistic missiles, bombs, warheads, mortar rounds, artillery ammunition, small arms ammunition, grenades, mines, torpedoes, depth charges, cluster munitions and dispensers, and demolition charges; and devices and components of any item thereof. The term does not include wholly inert items, improvised explosive devices, and nuclear weapons, nuclear devices, and nuclear components, other than nonnuclear components of nuclear devices that are managed under the nuclear weapons program of the Department of Energy after all required sanitization operations under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) have been completed. (10 U.S.C. 101(e)(4))

Military range means designated land and water areas set aside, managed, and used to research, develop, test, and evaluate military munitions, other ordnance, or weapon systems, or to train military personnel in their use and handling. Ranges include firing lines and positions, maneuver areas, firing lanes, test pads, detonation pads, impact areas, and buffer zones with restricted access and exclusionary areas. (40 CFR 266.201)

Munitions and explosives of concern distinguishes specific categories of military munitions that may pose unique explosives safety risks, such as UXO, as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(e)(5); discarded military munitions, as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(2); or munitions constituents (e.g., TNT, RDX), as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(3), present in high enough concentrations to pose an explosive hazard.

Munitions constituents means any materials originating from UXO, discarded military munitions, or other military munitions, including explosive and nonexplosive materials, and emission, degradation, or breakdown elements of such ordnance or munitions. (10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(3))

Munitions response means response actions, including investigation, removal actions, and remedial actions, to address the explosives safety, human health, or environmental risks presented by UXO, discarded military munitions (DMM), or munitions constituents (MC), or to support a determination that no removal or remedial action is required.

Munitions response area (MRA) means any area on a defense site that is known or suspected to contain UXO, DMM, or MC. Examples are former ranges and munitions burial areas. An MRA comprises one or more munitions response sites.

Munitions response site (MRS) means a discrete location within an MRA that is known to require a munitions response.

Operational range means a range that is under the jurisdiction, custody, or control of the Secretary of Defense and that is used for range activities, or although not currently being used for range activities, that is still considered by the Secretary to be a range and has not been put to a new use that is incompatible with range activities. (10 U.S.C. 101(e)(3))

Range means a designated land or water area that is set aside, managed, and used for range activities of the Department of Defense. The term includes firing lines and positions, maneuver areas, firing lanes, test pads, detonation pads, impact areas, electronic scoring sites, buffer zones with restricted access, and exclusionary areas. The term also includes airspace areas designated for military use in accordance with regulations and procedures prescribed by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. (10 U.S.C. 101(e)(1)(A) and (B))

Range activities means research, development, testing, and evaluation of military munitions, other ordnance, and weapons systems; and the training of members of the armed forces in the use and handling of military munitions, other ordnance, and weapons systems. (10 U.S.C. 101(3)(2))

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) means military munitions that:

(1) Have been primed, fuzed, armed, or otherwise prepared for action;

(2) Have been fired, dropped, launched, projected, or placed in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to operations, installations, personnel, or material; and

(3) Remain unexploded, whether by malfunction, design, or any other cause. (10 U.S.C. 101(e)(5))

United States means, in a geographic sense, the states, territories, and possessions and associated navigable waters, contiguous zones, and ocean waters of which the natural resources are under the exclusive management authority of the United States. (10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(10))

§ 179.4 Policy.
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(a) In assigning a relative priority for response activities, the Department generally considers those MRSs posing the greatest hazard as being the highest priority for action. The priority assigned should be based on the overall conditions at each MRS, taking into consideration various factors relating to safety and environmental hazard potential.

(b) In addition to the priority assigned to an MRS, other considerations (e.g., availability of specific equipment, intended reuse, stakeholder interest) can affect the sequence in which munitions response actions at a specific MRS are funded.

(c) It is Department policy to ensure that U.S. EPA, other federal agencies (as appropriate or required), state regulatory agencies, tribal governments, local restoration advisory boards or technical review committees, and local stakeholders are offered opportunities to participate in the application of the rule in this part and making sequencing recommendations.

§ 179.5 Responsibilities.
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Each Component shall:

(a) Apply the rule in this part to each MRS under its administrative control when sufficient data are available to populate all the data elements within any or all of the three hazard evaluation modules that comprise the rule. Upon further delineation and characterization of an MRA into more than one MRS, Components shall reapply the rule to all MRSs within the MRA. In such cases where data are not sufficient to populate one or two of the hazard evaluation modules (e.g., there are no constituent sampling data for the Health Hazard Evaluation [HHE] module), Components will assign a priority based on the hazard evaluation modules evaluated and reapply the rule once sufficient data are available to apply the remaining hazard evaluation modules.

(b) Ensure that the total acreage of each MRA is evaluated using this rule (i.e., ensure the all MRSs within the MRA are evaluated).

(c) Ensure that EPA, other federal agencies (as appropriate or required), state regulatory agencies, tribal governments, local restoration advisory boards or technical review committees, local community stakeholders, and the current landowner (if the land is outside Department control) are offered opportunities as early as possible and throughout the process to participate in the application of the rule and making sequencing recommendations.

(1) To ensure EPA, other federal agency, state regulatory agencies, tribal governments, and local government officials are aware of the opportunity to participate in the application of the rule, the Component organization responsible for implementing a munitions response at the MRS shall notify the heads of these organizations (or their designated point of contact), as appropriate, seeking their involvement prior to beginning prioritization. Records of the notification will be placed in the Administrative Record and Information Repository for the MRS.

(2) Prior to beginning prioritization, the Component organization responsible for implementing a munitions response at the MRS shall publish an announcement in local community publications requesting information pertinent to prioritization or sequencing decisions to ensure the local community is aware of the opportunity to participate in the application of the rule.

(d) Establish a quality assurance panel of Component personnel to review, initially, all MRS prioritization decisions. Once the Department determines that its Components are applying the rule in a consistent manner and the rule's application leads to decisions that are representative of site conditions, the Department may establish a sampling-based approach for its Components to use for such reviews. This panel reviewing the priority assigned to an MRS shall not include any participant involved in applying the rule to that MRS. If the panel recommends a change that results in a different priority, the Component shall report, in the inventory data submitted to the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installations & Environment) (ODUSD[I&E]), the rationale for this change. The Component shall also provide this rationale to the appropriate regulatory agencies and involved stakeholders for comment before finalizing the change.

(e) Following the panel review, submit the results of applying the rule along with the other inventory data that 10 U.S.C. 2710(c) requires be made publicly available, to the ODUSD(I&E). The ODUSD(I&E) shall publish this information in the report on environmental restoration activities for that fiscal year. If sequencing decisions result in action at an MRS with a lower MRS priority ahead of an MRS with a higher MRS priority, the Component shall provide specific justification to the ODUSD(I&E).

(f) Document in a Management Action Plan (MAP) or its equivalent all aspects of the munitions responses required at all MRSs for which that MAP is applicable. Department guidance requires that MAP be developed and maintained at an installation (or Formerly Used Defense Site [FUDS] property) level and address each site at that installation or FUDS. For the FUDS program, a statewide MAP may also be developed.

(g) Develop sequencing decisions at installations and FUDS with input from appropriate regulators and stakeholders (e.g., community members of an installation's restoration advisory board or technical review committee), and document this development in the MAP. Final sequencing may be impacted by Component program management considerations. If the sequencing of any MRS is changed from the sequencing reflected in the current MAP, the Component shall provide information to the appropriate regulators and stakeholders documenting the reasons for the sequencing change, and shall request their review and comment on that decision.

(h) Ensure that information provided by regulators and stakeholders that may influence the priority assigned to an MRS or sequencing decision concerning an MRS is included in the Administrative Record and the Information Repository.

(i) Review each MRS priority at least annually and update the priority as necessary to reflect new information. Reapplication of the rule is required under any of the following circumstances:

(1) Upon completion of a response action that changes site conditions in a manner that could affect the evaluation under this rule.

(2) To update or validate a previous evaluation at an MRS when new information is available.

(3) To update or validate the priority assigned where that priority has been previously assigned based on evaluation of only one or two of the three hazard evaluation modules.

(4) Upon further delineation and characterization of an MRA into MRSs.

(5) To categorize any MRS previously classified as “evaluation pending.”

§ 179.6 Procedures.
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The rule in this part comprises the following three hazard evaluation modules.

(a) Explosive Hazard Evaluation (EHE) module.

(1) The EHE module provides a single, consistent, Department-wide approach for the evaluation of explosive hazards. This module is used when there is a known or suspected presence of an explosive hazard. The EHE module is composed of three factors, each of which has two to four data elements that are intended to assess the specific conditions at an MRS. These factors are:

(i) Explosive hazard, which has the data elements Munitions Type and Source of Hazard and constitutes 40 percent of the EHE module score. (See Appendix A to this part, Tables 1 and 2.)

(ii) Accessibility, which has the data elements Location of Munitions, Ease of Access, and Status of Property and constitutes 40 percent of the EHE module score. (See Appendix A, Tables 3, 4, and 5.)

(iii) Receptors, which has the data elements Population Density, Population Near Hazard, Types of Activities/Structures, and Ecological and/or Cultural Resources and constitutes 20 percent of the EHE module score. (See Appendix A, Tables 6, 7, 8, and 9.)

(2) Based on MRS-specific information, each data element is assigned a numeric score, and the sum of these score is the EHE module score. The EHE module score results in an MRS being placed into one of the following ratings. (See Appendix A, Table 10.)

(i) EHE Rating A (Highest) is assigned to MRSs with an EHE module score from 92 to 100.

(ii) EHE Rating B is assigned to MRSs with an EHE module score from 82 to 91.

(iii) EHE Rating C is assigned to MRSs with an EHE module score from 71 to 81.

(iv) EHE Rating D is assigned to MRSs with an EHE module score from 60 to 70.

(v) EHE Rating E is assigned to MRSs with an EHE module score from 48 to 59.

(vi) EHE Rating F is assigned to MRSs with an EHE module score from 38 to 47.

(vii) EHE Rating G (Lowest) is assigned to MRSs with an EHE module score less than 38.

(3) There are also three other possible outcomes for the EHE module:

(i) Evaluation pending. This category is used when there are known or suspected UXO or DMM, but sufficient information is not available to populate the nine data elements of the EHE module.

(ii) No longer required. This category is reserved for MRSs that no longer require an assigned priority because the Department has conducted a response, all objectives set out in the decision document for the MRS have been achieved, and no further action, except for long-term management and recurring reviews, is required.

(iii) No known or suspected explosive hazard. This category is reserved for MRSs that do not require evaluation under the EHE module.

(4) The EHE module rating shall be considered with the CHE and HHE module ratings to determine the MRS priority.

(5) MRSs lacking information for determining an EHE module rating shall be programmed for additional study and evaluated as soon as sufficient data are available. Until an EHE module rating is assessed, MRSs shall be rated as “evaluation pending” for the EHE module.

(b) Chemical Warfare Materiel Hazard Evaluation (CHE) module. (1) The CHE module provides an evaluation of the chemical hazards associated with the physiological effects of CWM. The CHE module is used only when CWM are known or suspected of being present at an MRS. Like the EHE module, the CHE module has three factors, each of which has two to four data elements that are intended to assess the conditions at an MRS.

(i) CWM hazard, which has the data elements CWM Configuration and Sources of CWM and constitutes 40 percent of the CHE score. (See Appendix A to this part, Tables 11 and 12.)

(ii) Accessibility, which focuses on the potential for receptors to encounter the CWM known or suspected to be present on an MRS. This factor consists of three data elements, Location of CWM, Ease of Access, and Status of Property, and constitutes 40 percent of the CHE score. (See Appendix A, Tables 13, 14, and 15.)

(iii) Receptor, which focuses on the human and ecological populations that may be impacted by the presence of CWM. It has the data elements Population Density, Population Near Hazard, Types of Activities/Structures, and Ecological and/or Cultural Resources and constitutes 20 percent of the CHE score. (See Appendix A, Tables 16, 17, 18, and 19.)

(2) Similar to the EHE module, each data element is assigned a numeric score, and the sum of these scores (i.e., the CHE module score) is used to determine the CHE rating. The CHE module score results in an MRS being placed into one of the following ratings. (See Appendix A, Table 20.)

(i) CHE Rating A (Highest) is assigned to MRSs with a CHE score from 92 to 100.

(ii) CHE Rating B is assigned to MRSs with a CHE score from 82 to 91.

(iii) CHE Rating C is assigned to MRSs with a CHE score from 71 to 81.

(iv) CHE Rating D is assigned to MRSs with a CHE score from 60 to 70.

(v) CHE Rating E is assigned to MRSs with a CHE score from 48 to 59.

(vi) CHE Rating F is assigned to MRSs with a CHE score from 38 to 47.

(vii) CHE Rating G (Lowest) is assigned to MRSs with a CHE score less than 38.

(3) There are also three other potential outcomes for the CHE module:

(i) Evaluation pending. This category is used when there are known or suspected CWM, but sufficient information is not available to populate the nine data elements of the CHE module.

(ii) No longer required. This category is reserved for MRSs that no longer require an assigned priority because the Department has conducted a response, all objectives set out in the decision document for the MRS have been achieved, and no further action, except for long-term management and recurring reviews, is required.

(iii) No known or suspected CWM hazard. This category is reserved for MRSs that do not require evaluation under the CHE module.

(4) The CHE rating shall be considered with the EHE module and HHE module ratings to determine the MRS priority.

(5) MRSs lacking information for assessing a CHE module rating shall be programmed for additional study and evaluated as soon as sufficient data are available. Until a CHE module rating is assigned, the MRS shall be rated as “evaluation pending” for the CHE module.

(c) Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) module.

(1) The HHE provides a consistent Department-wide approach for evaluating the relative risk to human health and the environment posed by MC. The HHE builds on the RRSE framework that is used in the Installation Restoration Program (IRP) and has been modified to address the unique requirements of MRSs. The HHE module shall be used for evaluating the potential hazards posed by MC and other chemical contaminants. The HHE module is intended to evaluate MC at sites. Any incidental nonmunitions-related contaminants may be addressed incidental to a munitions response under the MMRP.

(2) The module has three factors:

(i) Contamination Hazard Factor (CHF), which indicates MC, and any nonmunitions-related incidental contaminants present; this factor contributes a level of High (H), Middle (M), or Low (L) based on Significant, Moderate, or Minimal contaminants present, respectively. (See Appendix A to this part, Table 21.)

(ii) Receptor Factor (RF), which indicates the receptors; this factor contributes a level of H, M, or L based on Identified, Potential, or Limited receptors, respectively. (See Appendix A, Table 21.)

(iii) Migration Pathway Factor (MPF), which indicates environmental migration pathways, and contributes a level of H, M, or L based on Evident, Potential or Confined pathways, respectively. (See Appendix A, Table 21.)

(3) The H, M, and L levels for the CHF, RF, and MPF are combined in a matrix to obtain composite three-letter combination levels that integrate considerations of all three factors. (See Appendix A, Table 22.)

(4) The three-letter combination levels are organized by frequency, and the resulting frequencies result in seven HHE ratings. (See Appendix A, Table 23.)

(i) HHE Rating A (Highest) is assigned to MRSs with an HHE combination level of high for all three factors.

(ii) HHE Rating B is assigned to MRSs with a combination level of high for CHF and RF and medium for MPF (HHM).

(iii) HHE Rating C is assigned to MRSs with a combination level of high for the CHF and RF and low for MPF (HHL), or high for CHF and medium for the RF and MPF (HMM).

(iv) HHE Rating D is assigned to MRSs with a combination level of high for the CHF, medium for the RF, and low for the MPF (HML), or medium for all three factors (MMM).

(v) HHE Rating E is assigned to MRSs with a combination level of high for the CHF and low for the RF and MPF (HLL), or medium for the CHF and RF and low for the MPF (MML).

(vi) HHE Rating F is assigned to MRSs with a combination level of medium for the CHF and low for the RF and MPF (MLL).

(vii) HHE Rating G (Lowest) is assigned to MRSs with a combination level of low for all three factors (LLL).

(5) The HHE three-letter combinations are replaced by the seven HHE ratings. (See Appendix A, Table 24.)

(6) There are also three other potential outcomes for the HHE module:

(i) Evaluation pending. This category is used when there are known or suspected MC, and any incidental nonmunitions-related contaminants present, but sufficient information is not available to determine the HHE module rating.

(ii) No longer required. This category is reserved for MRSs that no longer require an assigned MRS priority because the Department has conducted a response, all objectives set out in the decision document for the MRS have been achieved, and no further action, except for long-term management and recurring reviews, is required.

(iii) No known or suspected munitions constituent hazard. This rating is reserved for MRSs that do not require evaluation under the HHE module.

(7) The HHE module rating shall be considered with the EHE and CHE module ratings to determine the MRS priority.

(8) MRSs lacking information sufficient for assessing an HHE module rating shall be programmed for additional study and evaluated as soon as sufficient data are available. Until an HHR module rating is assigned, the MRS shall be classified as “evaluation pending” for the HHE module.

(d) Determining the MRS priority. (1) An MRS priority is determined based on integrating the ratings from the EHE, CHE, and HHE modules. Until all three hazard evaluation modules have been evaluated, the MRS priority shall be based on the results of the modules completed.

(2) Each MRS is assigned to one of eight MRS priorities based on the ratings of the three hazard evaluation modules, where Priority 1 indicates the highest potential hazard and Priority 8 the lowest potential hazard. Under the rule in this part, only MRSs with CWM can be assigned to Priority 1 and no MRS with CWM can be assigned to Priority 8. (See Appendix A to this part, Table 25.)

(3) An “evaluation pending” rating is used to indicate that an MRS requires further evaluation. This designation is only used when none of the three modules has a numerical rating (i.e., 1 through 8) and at least one module is rated “evaluation pending.” The Department shall develop program metrics focused on reducing the number of MRSs with a status of “evaluating pending” for any of the three modules. (See Appendix A, Table 25.)

(4) A “no longer required” rating is used to indicate that an MRS no longer requires prioritization. The MRS will receive this rating when none of the three modules has a numerical (i.e., 1 through 8) or an “evaluation pending” designation, and at least one of the modules is rated “no longer required.”

(5) A rating of “no known or suspected hazard” is used to indicate that an MRS has no known or expected hazard. This designation is used only when the hazard evaluation modules are rated as “no known or suspected explosive hazard,” “no known or suspected CWM hazard,” and “no known or suspected MC hazard.” (See Appendix A, Table 25.)

§ 179.7 Sequencing.
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(a) Sequencing considerations. The sequencing of MRSs for action shall be based primarily on the MRS priority determined through applying the rule in this part. Generally, an MRS that presents a greater relative risk to human health, safety, or the environment will be addressed before an MRS that presents a lesser relative risk. Other factors, however, may warrant consideration when determining the sequencing for specific MRSs. In evaluating other factors in sequencing decisions, the Department will consider a broad range of issues. These other, or risk-plus factors, do not influence or change the MRS priority, but may influence the sequencing for action. Examples of factors that the Department may consider are:

(1) Concerns expressed by regulators or stakeholders.

(2) Cultural and social factors.

(3) Economic factors, including economic considerations pertaining to environmental justice issues, economies of scale, evaluation of total life cycle costs, and estimated valuations of long-term liabilities.

(4) Findings of health, safety, or ecological risk assessments or evaluations based on MRS-specific data.

(5) Reasonably anticipated future land use, especially when planning response actions, conducting evaluations of response alternatives, or establishing specific response action objectives.

(6) A community's reuse requirements at Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) installations.

(7) Specialized considerations of tribal trust lands (held in trust by the United States for the benefit of any tribe or individual). The United States holds the legal title to the land and the tribe holds the beneficial interest.

(8) Implementation and execution considerations (e.g., funding availability; the availability of the necessary equipment and people to implement a particular action; examination of alternatives to responses that entail significant capital investments, a lengthy period of operation, or costly maintenance; alternatives to removal or treatment of contamination when existing technology cannot achieve established standards [e.g., maximum contaminant levels]).

(9) Mission-driven requirements.

(10) The availability of appropriate technology (e.g., technology to detect, discriminate, recover, and destroy UXO).

(11) Implementing standing commitments, including those in formal agreements with regulatory agencies, requirements for continuation of remedial action operations until response objectives are met, other long-term management activities, and program administration.

(12) Established program goals and initiatives.

(13) Short-term and long-term ecological effects and environmental impacts in general, including injuries to natural resources.

(b) Procedures and documentation for sequencing decisions. (1) Each installation or FUDS is required to develop and maintain a Management Action Plan (MAP) or its equivalent. Sequencing decisions, which will be documented in the MAP at military installations and FUDS, shall be developed with input from appropriate regulators and stakeholders (e.g., community members of an installation's restoration advisory board or technical review committee). If the sequencing of an MRS is changed from the sequencing reflected in the current MAP, information documenting the reasons for the sequencing change will be provided for inclusion in the MAP. Notice of the change in the sequencing shall be provided to those regulators and stakeholders that provided input to the sequencing process.

(2) In addition to the information on prioritization, the Components shall ensure that information provided by regulators and stakeholders that may influence the sequencing of an MRS is included in the Administrative Record and the Information Repository.

(3) Components shall report the results of sequencing to ODUSD(I&E) (or successor organizations). ODUSD(I&E) shall compile the sequencing results reported by each Component and publish the sequencing in the report on environmental restoration activities for that fiscal year. If sequencing decisions result in action at an MRS with a lower MRS priority ahead of an MRS with a higher priority, specific justification shall be provided to the ODUSD(I&E).

Appendix A to Part 179—Tables of the Munitions Response Site Prioritization Protocol
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The tables in this Appendix are solely for use in implementing 32 CFR part 179.



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