MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Waste Management, has announced the issuance of a temporary emergency permit to the Department of Defense, Minot Air Force Base, for hazardous waste disposal.

Minot AFB applied for a temporary emergency permit to conduct open detonation of waste military munition, according to information released by the NDDEQ. The request was necessary because Minot Air Force Base does not have a permitted open burning/open detonation unit to dispose of waste military munitions or other reactive wastes. The air base has a corrective action only permit, regulated under the Hazardous Waste Management rules. The waste material was determined not safe for shipment and not to be put in the public transportation system.

The temporary emergency permit is for 90 days, starting April 1. An emergency permit with appropriate conditions under the North Dakota Administrative Code has been prepared and is available for public comment.

To comment or request a hearing on the permit, members of the public should notify the NDDEQ in writing by May 16. Direct comments to Derek Kannenberg, manager, Hazardous Waste Program, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Waste Management, 4201 Normandy Street, Bismarck, ND 58503-1324.