Despite Bottles, PSB Dig Remains "low probability" Thus Far

Brenda Barber [USACE]: During soil removal activities, two intact glass bottles were encountered in the soil around the former Public Safety Building on December 3rd and work was paused immediately.  One of the glass bottles was unsealed and the other was sealed with a stopper.  No stained soils or unusual odors were observed in the area where the bottles were found.  The glassware was secured and sent to Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) for analysis after the glassware cleared headspace analysis at the Federal Property. The glassware was determined to be non-hazardous and cleared for agent ... Barber confirmed that the glass bottles were found in the upslope.  All encountered items are tracked, and the team will present that information to the Partners to determine if the excavation limits need to be expanded ... [Barber] explained that the glass bottles were found in the final bench, a couple feet from the foundation; not significantly outside the limits of the excavation, but adjacent to the former footprint of the PSB.
Spring Valley RAB 
Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2020 (pg. 6)

Glass bottles were found in soil at former PSB on Dec. 3 (USACE)

In response to a question from DOEE [District Department of Energy & Environment], Weston Solutions and USACE Baltimore explained that if an item or substance is found that violates the low probability determination, then work would stop and the path forward would be discussed ... If the team determines that the probability must be elevated to high probability, then a new contract would be necessary.  Currently, the project is not set up for high probability work, and a new contractor that is prepared to perform a high probability action would need to be found.  Many years ago, a small amount of chemical agent was found in Lot 18, but since that time tons of debris and contaminated soil have been removed, and none of the contamination has been agent.  A piece of Munitions & Explosives of Concern (MEC) was found at the former PSB in the past, but the project was determined to be low probability going forward.  Over 100 pieces of munitions debris have been found near the former PSB and in Lot 18, but the single item was the only item that qualified as MEC.  The MEC item was a burster that was torn open and the high explosive was visible inside. 
Spring Valley FUDS Partners
Meeting Minutes
December 5, 2019 (pgs. 7 - 8)