201 shells, bombs found along shore destroyed

5/17/2008

PORT CLINTON The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers destroyed 201 unexploded bombs or shells on Thursday found along Lake Erie near the former Erie Army Depot as part of its cleanup of hazardous ordnance.

This surface removal action will reduce the risk to the public and the environment from unexploded ordnance washed up onto the beach from the former impact area in Lake Erie, the Army Corps said in a statement.

Explosives experts searched beaches with metal detectors and excavated by hand various items.

They identified the material and removed or destroyed it. Ordnance found along the beach was either detonated in place or removed for destruction.

Similar detonations will occur on Thursdays until the removal action is complete, the Corps said.

The program is coordinated between the Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Natural Resources, National Guard, and property owners.

Anyone in the area who finds objects that might be unexploded bombs or munitions should not touch or attempt to move them, but instead note the location and report it to local law enforcement, the Corps said.