The agreement was announced just hours after Corps officials said they did not plan to move the Surf City site because they believed the items didn't pose a health or safety hazard to residents.

The munitions _ mostly 6- to 8-inch-long fuses _ were accidentally pumped ashore during a massive beach replenishment project started by the Army in late 2006. A few months later, beachgoers started spotting odd-shaped rusty metal items in the sand, and cleanup efforts soon got under way.

The most recent phase of the cleanup began in Surf City late last month, and about 20 munitions were recovered as of early Wednesday.

Under the agreement, any munitions recovered from the beach will now be held there for daily pickup by trained military personnel, who will transport them offsite for permanent disposal. This eliminates the need for the temporary site, located in a secured area inside the borough's public works yard.

"Our top priority in executing projects has been and always will be public safety," said Lt. Col. Thomas Tickner, commander of the Corps' Philadelphia District. "While the temporary staging area poses absolutely no threat to the public, we recognize there is still public concern over its location near the school and library. We hope that by eliminating the need for this staging area altogether, we will set aside these concerns."

U.S. Rep. John Adler, who represents the area, said he was pleased the agreement was quickly reached.

"I thank the Army Corps for listening to our concerns and making these concessions," said Adler, D-Cherry Hill.

Federal officials, citing security reasons, had not revealed the bunker's location to local officials, but town and school district leaders quickly voiced concern after it became known earlier this week.

As of early Wednesday afternoon, only one munition was at the bunker, which is surrounded by a chain-link fence. A sign there reads "Danger, explosives, keep away," and its walls are made of sandbags and plywood. Once removed, the munitions are turned over to military demolition crews, who take them to ranges and detonate them.

The nearby Ethel A. Jacobsen Elementary School, which houses about 130 pupils in kindergarten through third grade, has relocated its outdoor recess area to help keep students away from the bunker area. Surf City Mayor Leonard T. Connors called the situation "outrageous" and said the borough would demand the corps move the bunker immediately.

Ed Voigt, spokesman for the Corps' Philadelphia district, said officials hope the cleanup work will be completed shortly before Memorial Day weekend, which unofficially launches the summer beach season at the Jersey Shore.