Jeff Leberfinger, PGp, PG
jleberfi[email protected]
Welcome to the UXO Geophysics Community News column. In this issue you will be introduced to the new co-columnist Ivey Harvey from EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC (EA), read information on SLAM-LiDar system rental availability from Exploration Instruments LLC (EXI), read contributions on a very successful 1st Munition Response Meeting held in March 2021, and read a contribution on Unmanned Strategy Increasing Use of Commercial Unmanned Aircraft for the Detection and Identification of UXO. If you wish to contribute to the column please send your article to [email protected] or [email protected].
New Co-Editor of UXO Community Geophysics News Column
Ivy Harvey who has supported the UXO Geophysics News column for the last year has agreed to continue her support as Co-Editor. Ivy is an Environmental Engineer at EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC (EA) with 18 years of work experience. She graduated from Montana State University in 2003 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering and completed her Master’s Degree at Johns Hopkins University in 2009. Ivy is a licensed Professional Engineer in Maryland, and has predominantly worked on projects within the Military Munitions Response Program, as well as on Formerly Used Defense Sites, that included site inspections, remedial investigation/feasibility studies, and removal actions. As a member of the National Association of Ordnance Contractors (NAOC), she participates on both the Technology and Government Affairs committees. Her current responsibilities at EA include managing the SERDP/ESTCP programs and business development within Army Federal Programs.
SAGEEP 2021 and 1st Munitions Response Meeting – Virtual Event
The 1st Munitions Response Meeting was held March 14th – 18th , 2021 as an online virtual event. NAOC partnered with the Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society (EEGS) and European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) to offer the meeting in conjunction with the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems (SAGEEP). John Jackson (USACE CX) and Jeff Leberfinger (NAOC Technology Committee) were instrumental in organizing and hosting the event as the lead technical chairs.
The 1st Munitions Response Meeting included 16 scheduled sessions with over 60 Munitions Response (MR) related presentations and had over 500 attendees from around the world. The meeting began with perspectives on Munitions Response from all angles, including USACE, NAOC, the Environmental Data Quality Workgroup (EDQW), Army National Guard (ARNG), and Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) (representing regulatory agencies). A broad range of MR topics were discussed during the technical, panel-style presentations including Robotic Applications to MR, Risk Assessment for Explosive Hazards, DAGCAP Lessons Learned, MMRP Site Applications Lessons Learned, MMRP Emerging Sensors, International Demining and UXO, MMRP Cost Estimating, MC Investigation, Underwater Methods for MEC Detection and Classification, Applications for UAVs and Optical Sensors in MR, and MMRP Site Applications. This event brought together a wide variety of professionals from industry, academia, and government to discuss and share information regarding the state of current technologies, procedures, and policies within the MR industry. Given the success of this event, the 2nd Munitions Response Meeting is tentatively planned for 2023 or 2024 in conjunction with SAGEEP – so stay tuned.
EXI Adds Kaarta Stencil SLAM – LiDar Systems to Rental Pool
Exploration Instruments LLC (EXI) has added the Kaarta Stencil Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) LiDar positioning system to their rental pool. The technology provides high quality and high accuracy location/positioning data for detection and classification of Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) in GPS-denied areas, where application of AGC is limited to few and less-efficient positioning systems. The Stencil is currently integrated with the Geometrics MetalMapper (MM) 2×2 and Geonics EM-61. Other AGC and geophysical sensors are currently being integrated with the Stencil. EXI is also working with Kaarta to provide training to the UXO industry. For more information on rentals or training contact [email protected].
