EP 1110-1-18
24 Apr 00
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL
1-1. Policy. The policy of the USACE is to plan and execute ordnance and explosives (OE)
activities in a manner which fully meet customers' expectations of quality, timeliness, and cost
effectiveness within the bounds of legal responsibility. An acceptable level of quality does not
imply perfection; however, there should be no compromise of functional, health, or safety
requirements. Adherence to the Quality Management principles outlined in Engineer Regulation
(ER) 5-1-11, Program and Project Management and ER 1110-1-12, Quality Management, will
contribute to achieving this goal. OE response procedures must be formulated to ensure harmony
with the USACE Strategic Vision and should be executed in concert with activities presented in
other USACE guidance.
1-2. Program Overview.
a. Description of the OE Response Process.
(1) Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS). An OE response is an action taken to reduce
the risk to human health and the environment from exposure to OE resulting from past
Department of Defense (DOD) operations at a site. The OE response process at FUDS is
consistent with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA) and the National Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP).
The OE response process at FUDS typically follows the non-time critical removal action process
(NTCRA). This process is discussed in detail in Chapters 6 through 17 of this pamphlet.
Emergency and time critical removal actions (TCRA) may be conducted during the OE response
process, as presented in further detail in Chapter 5.
(2) Active and Transferring Installations. OE response actions at active installations are
conducted under the Installation Restoration Program (IRP). OE response actions at transferring
installations are conducted under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) program. The
installation is responsible for determining the OE response action at active and transferring
installations.
b. OE Response Objective. The primary objective of an OE response action is to reduce
the risk to the general public in a manner that ensures the safety of OE response specialists, is
cost-effective, and complies with all applicable legal requirements. In certain circumstances, it
may be appropriate to seek a waiver of certain legal requirements. The process for seeking such
waivers will be initiated only after consultation with the OE Mandatory Center of Expertise (OE
MCX) and the Office of Counsel (OC) supporting the OE MCX. The requesting agency will
submit a letter documenting the policy/procedures that require a waiver. The letter should
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