Title: GAO: Cleanup of Former Military Training Sites in Puerto Rico

Description: Munitions and unexploded ordnance remain on former U.S.
military training sites located on the Puerto Rican islands of Vieques
and Culebra and in their surrounding waters. GAO reviewed the Department
of Defense's cleanup efforts, including the technologies used and
challenges faced in cleaning up these sites.

Related GAO Work:  GAO-21-268, Defense Cleanup:  Efforts at Former
Military Sites on Vieques and Culebra, Puerto Rico, Are Expected to
Continue through 2032

Released: March 2021

[Narrator:] The U.S. Navy conducted live-fire training on the islands of
Vieques and Culebra for several decades. Munitions and unexploded
ordinance, as well as hazardous substances, pollutants, and
contaminants, remain on both islands and in their surrounding waters.

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The Department of Defense continues to research and use technologies to
identify buried munitions on land and underwater. As of 2020, DOD
anticipates cleanup efforts will continue through 2032.

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For more information, check out our report at gao.gov.