By JANET McCONNAUGHEY
The Army has agreed to pay for burning 7,800 tons of potentially explosive artillery propellant and 160 tons of other material at Camp Minden.

The Environmental Protection Agency says that should clear the way for the Louisiana National Guard to sign a contract with Explosive Service International of Baton Rouge to do the burning.

Word came in a letter from the Department of Justice to the National Guard.

EPA regional administrator Ron Curry calls it an important milestone in getting rid of the material at the site in northwestern Louisiana. The material had been improperly stored there by a company called Explo Systems Inc.