Learn the Issues
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SAS Project: Recycleware Cards
Project information about the SAS project titled "SAS Project: Recycleware Cards."
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EPA Self-Audit Agreement with State of Wyoming
EPA agreement with State of Wyoming regarding use of Self-audit laws and policies.
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SAS Project: SC Ports—On Terminal Litter Control
Project information about the SAS project titled "SC Ports—On Terminal Litter Control."
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How does EPA know that Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) detections at ʻAiea Wells are not related to any/all historic Red Hill fuel spills?
EPA evaluated the available data from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) and the Navy and we have concluded that Red Hill is an unlikely source for the following reasons: The chemical properties of the PAH compounds found in the BWS wells prevent them from easily dissolving into groundwater…
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How far has contamination spread in the aquifer? Is it moving toward our drinking water?
Groundwater contamination has been consistently detected in the Red Hill tank area. Contaminants believed to be associated with the Red Hill facility have been detected less consistently at outlying groundwater monitoring wells located about ¼ to ½ mile from the facility. Additional monitoring wells are planned further away from the…
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Why wasn’t the public consulted when drafting the 2023 Order?
EPA needed to immediately require the Navy to commit to certain aspects of transparency and oversight structure in order to formalize ongoing closure work that EPA was involved with. Therefore, EPA negotiated a draft Consent Order with the Navy as soon as possible. EPA shared the proposed order with all…
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Are there any concerns about the potential environmental impacts of foams and coatings the Navy is proposing to use in the pipelines and tanks for closure?
Regulators have not approved the use of any foams or coatings for closure. The Navy’s Pipeline Removal Work Plan, which the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) (pdf) and EPA conditionally approved, includes the removal of the three fuel pipelines from the main fuel storage tanks to the underground pumphouse. In…
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SAS Project: Skip the Straw Campaign
Project information about the SAS project titled "Skip the Straw Campaign."
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Why did the Navy’s lab change the sample matrix on the laboratory reports from “drinking water” to “groundwater” in September and October of 2021?
The original notation of drinking water matrix appears to have been incorrect and the correction of the matrix to groundwater appears appropriate. Some lab report narratives stated that the Navy’s contractor requested a matrix change from drinking water to groundwater. The samples were collected from a sampling point in Red…
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Why are sample numbers missing from the groundwater samples collected between May and November of 2021?
EPA reviewed Navy analytical data for sample IDs that were skipped by comparing results from lab reports to samples listed on Chain of Custody forms (CoCs). We did not find sample IDs listed on the CoCs missing from the laboratory results. Sample numbering isn’t always sequential because sample IDs may…
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Is there a remediation standard the Navy must comply with?
Under Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules, Section 11-280.1-65.3 (pdf), the Navy must remediate to the standards in Table 1 or propose a different standard for Hawai'i Department of Health's (DOH) approval. To date, the Navy has not proposed, and the DOH has not approved, a different remediation standard.
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Is the Navy required to investigate and remediate all confirmed releases from the Red Hill Facility, even those before the 2021 JP-5 releases?
Yes, as part of the closure process, the Navy is required to investigate and remediate all historical releases, including those that occurred prior to November 2021. The Navy is conducting site assessments and investigations to determine the location, nature, and extent of contamination, as well as develop a conceptual site…
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Why does it take so long before laboratory reports are finalized?
The regulatory agencies require the Navy to follow a rigorous, step by step quality assurance process, increasing the time to produce the final report. Following the 2021 releases at Red Hill, regulators required much more frequent sampling, which created a surge in samples and led to a backlog in sample…
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Why would regulators allow a drinking water well to operate or reopen within a mile of the Red Hill Release?
From a scientific standpoint, the migration of petroleum contamination in groundwater has been studied extensively across the nation. It is well documented that petroleum plumes do not typically travel far from where they enter the environment. At Red Hill, routine samples are collected from approximately 47 wells to monitor the…
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Navy labs modified reports after they were issued – is this normal?
Validating data can result in revisions. This is normal and an indication the lab is performing the appropriate data quality checks. The data validation process can take a long time. Regulators have access to and review both the validated and unvalidated data.
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Did delays in reporting results between May and November 2021 prevent regulators from conducting in-depth analysis of water contaminants and impacts to Red Hill Shaft?
No. During this time period, preliminary data spreadsheets were submitted to the Hawai’i Department of Health (DOH) within two to three months after sample collection. The results were posted on DOH’s website and presented to the public by DOH at the October 28, 2021 Fuel Tank Advisory Committee (FTAC) meeting…
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Will remedial options besides natural attenuation be considered?
Yes. The Navy will be required to submit a remediation plan. As with any site, the regulators will require multiple remedial alternatives to be considered and evaluated by the Navy. However, additional data about impacts to the vadose zone are needed before plans can be developed and before regulators can…
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Is the Navy currently considering any active remediation technologies?
The Navy continues to investigate the nature and extent of contamination and will propose remedial options based on the results. While natural attenuation will continue to be an important mechanism for reducing fuel levels in the aquifer, targeted active remediation of contaminants in the vadose zone and potentially the shallow…
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Where is the Navy required to sample for historical releases during site assessment?
The Navy is required to evaluate for the presence of fuel releases (i.e. conduct site assessment) beneath and originating from the entire underground storage tank system being closed, which includes the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.
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What data governance practices are in place to avoid irregularities and to build trust in the data?
Data quality is extremely important for the ongoing work at Red Hill. Regulators review the Navy’s environmental laboratory data, which is a critical component of the decision-making process. A certified laboratory analyzes samples submitted by the Navy. The Navy’s laboratory reports are also validated by a third-party. This means that…