The effect of lead poisoning to humans, animals and the environment is well documented and costly. Protecting wet lands and water bodies from shooting range activities is a good investment because it saves lives, the environment and many dollars in the long run. Lead contamination of water and wet lands can come either from direct shooting over the area or via drain-off near the shooting range. Animals, such as birds, mistake the shot for food and ingest it. This directly introduces the lead into the food chain.
The effect of lead on animals has been devastating. Frogs and other amphibians are often first to exhibit symptoms due to the permeable nature of their skin. Malformations, illness and death are often seen in lead exposed amphibians. When lead is present in their environment, birds develop “drooping wings”, digestive or neurological issues.
In some cases, the lead can fall into the sediment and over time, seep into the ground water supply. MT2 utilizes their proprietary lead treatment technology called ECOBOND® to protect the sensitive natural environment to free lead from sediments in wetlands around firing ranges.
The Investment Is Worth It
The toll on the environment and wildlife alone are well worth the investment. However, not cleaning it up can cost a fortune. A recent lawsuit in Illinois against a gun club for lead contamination of a creek could have cost $18 million in fees. MT2 can save up to 30%-50% on the cost of the abatement project. The investment in an MT2 lead abatement project is a much wiser choice than the alternative of EPA fees, legal fees and long-term health costs for people exposed to lead.
Protecting Wet Lands and Water Bodies from Shooting Range Activities Through a Lead Reclamation Process
There is very little doubt that the lead produced by firing ranges is valuable. The average firing range uses 25,000 to 500,000 pounds of lead. Unfortunately, owners of firing ranges located near wetlands and water bodies often mistakenly believe that the valuable lead is un-retrievable. MT2, the nation’s leading firing range maintenance & lead reclamation company, has recently proven this is a not true. MT2 takes protecting wet lands and water bodies from shooting range activities seriously. They have a patented a technique to retrieve the lead without harming the eco-system of the water bodies and surrounding fauna.
MT2’s successfully job history speaks for itself.
- In Maryland, we recovered PAH and lead contamination from an area located in a flood plain that posed a significant threat to a nearby state park. The project was specifically focused to conserve and protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed with its headwater and drainage basins from possible contamination. We reclaimed years of accumulated pellets that had accumulated down-range from the fire range club.
- In Broward County, near the delicate eco-system and waterways of Florida’s Everglades, we processed over 40,000 cubic yards of soil that was laced with lead. They implemented their new high tech lead separation method to successfully produce a million pounds of lead shot.
- Recently, we undertook the astronomical job of handling and dredging over 100,000 cubic yards of lead laced sediment at a rate of 1,000 cubic yards per day using special handling and drying technologies. All of the treatment work was done on-site under close EPA supervision. The entire project was successfully completed and included 15 acres and 8 acres ponds that suffered from up to three feet of lead impacted sediment. The task was completed with US EPA consent-order oversight.
The US EPA and various state regulators have approved MT2’s lead treatment technology known as ECOBOND®. The treatment process of ECOBOND® protects the sensitive natural environment and active waterways. So far, MT2’s ECOBOND® has been approved for use on over 1,300 projects and consists of turning lead into a more eco-friendly mineral form that can be easily disposed of and is non-hazardous through chemical conversion. The 2001 International Containment & Remediation Technology Conference and Exhibition stated that ECOBOND® successfully stabilizes material contaminated with metals, the process is cost-effective and saves on overall operation costs.
Lead from a firing range poses the potential danger for lead proximity contamination from the lead dust which can become airborne and settles in soil and waterways that migrate away from the range’s land. MT2 is committed to the environment and their clients. Maintaining a clean range that is environmentally friendly is also an ideal way for a firing range club to recognize any law enforcement officers who frequently use their range
With experience in all 50 states and over 1000 successful projects completed, MT2 is the perfect choice for your water or wet land lead remediation project. Contact us today for more information or to start your free quote.
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