By Melissa Ross
First Coast News
FRUIT COVE, FL -- Fruit Cove resident Doug Pilinko says UXO's are common in his neck of the woods-and they're not from outer space.
"You dig them up all the time here," he says, holding up a small, rusted "marker" bomb.
Pilinko's property abuts what used to be an old bombing range along Greenbriar Road, about 11 miles south of NAS Jax.
During World War Two and beyond, the site was used by pilots as a practice bombing target.
"Unexploded ordnance," or metal and residue from the bombs, remains in the ground today.
The acreage has been clear-cut and surveyors are currently walking the site, checking for remnants the bombers may have left behind.
A worker on-site tells First Coast News retired military personnel would then be called in to properly dispose of any materials that turn up.
Some residents have expressed concern the ordnance might create a potential source of contamination for groundwater in the area, especially if the site is developed.
County Commissioner Nick Meiszer represents the district, and says if a subdivision or other development goes up, an environmental impact study should be done.
"If there is any impact, let's clean it up," he says.
As of now the property along Greenbriar Road has been zoned "agricultural."
The company that owns the land, Anderson-Columbia Inc., has not yet disclosed its plans for the site.
First Coast News