In late 2012, an explosion at a former munitions plant near Shreveport, La., produced a 7,000- foot mushroom cloud, shattered windows miles away and forced rail cars off their tracks. There are still 15 million pounds of abandoned explosives and propellant stored improperly on the grounds at Camp Minden, and another explosion is likely if action isn't taken soon, according to U.S. EPA. The agency yesterday ordered the U.S. Army to get rid of it. EPA told the Army "there is an imminent and substantial risk that the M6 propellant (which is stored in proximity to 3 million pounds of other explosives) may auto-ignite, and cause a substantial explosion." The agency said the Army has contributed to the illegal storage and handling of the explosives, "thereby creating an imminent and substantial endangerment of public health and the environment."
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