Full Notification

For Immediate Release: April 12, 2016

NEWS BRIEF: Explosives Cleanup in San Benito County, Calif.

SAN FRANCISCO – This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is assisting the Monterey County Bomb Squad in an emergency response to dispose of more than 15 tons of abandoned explosive materials that were found in a facility in an unincorporated area of San Benito County, California. The facility is located on approximately two acres of agricultural land east of downtown.

The explosive materials—which include smokeless powder, black powder, silver iodide and silver iodate—will be detonated within dirt trenches that have been prepared onsite. The detonations will primarily occur from 12–3 pm and will continue each afternoon this week. The explosions will be controlled, but may be visible and audible to the surrounding community. EPA is notifying residents in the immediate area about the planned detonations.

EPA is working on this emergency response in partnership with the City of Hollister Fire Department; the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office; the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office; the California Department of Toxic Substances Control; and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Monterey County Bomb Squad will conduct the onsite disposal of the explosives. In addition to overseeing the construction and placement of the detonation trenches, EPA will conduct air and soil monitoring.