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News Release — Vermont State Police

April 24, 2018

Contact:

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Lieutenant David Petersen

STATION: VSP-Headquarters

CONTACT#: 802-244-8727

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CASE#: 18A402070

DATE/TIME: Approximately 1800 hours on 04/23/18

INCIDENT LOCATION: Moore Dam Boat Launch, Old County Road, Waterford, VT

VIOLATION: Not Applicable

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

Around 1800 hours on 04/23/18, an individual walking in the area of the Moore Dam Picnic Area, located on Old County Road in Waterford, found what was suspected to be a hand grenade along the shoreline of Moore Reservoir. Recently the water level of the reservoir had been lowered, exposing ground that would otherwise have been underwater. The suspected hand grenade was found in an area that would have normally been underwater.

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Troopers from the St. Johnsbury field station responded and confirmed the report. The State Police Bomb Squad was consulted along with members of the EOD Detachment of the VT Air National Guard. The hand grenade was in a deteriorated condition.

Members of the State Police Bomb Squad and EOD Detachment of the VT Air National Guard responded to the site on the morning of 04/24/18. Following further assessment, the hand grenade could not be verified as being in a safe condition. The hand grenade was destroyed at the site as part of the response. This procedure did create a single explosion that may have been heard in the surrounding area.

No additional hazards were located at the site. The picnic area, which had been temporarily closed due to the hazard is now re-opened for use.

Members of the public are reminded that military munitions can pose serious personal safety hazards, particularly those that have been exposed to the elements. In the event such an item be discovered, members of the public should avoid handling the object and notify law enforcement.