News & Updates

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Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility

In January 2014, the U.S. Navy reported a 27,000 gallon leak of jet fuel from Tank 5 at its Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The Navy owns twenty fuel tanks in the Red Hill area, each able to contain up to 12.5 million gallons of fuel. These tanks are located 100 feet above the groundwater aquifer. 100 feet is the height of the State Capitol. This aquifer is also the same one that BWS uses to provide water to residents from Moanalua to Hawaii Kai.

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Take Action

Help to keep our groundwater aquifers and environment safe now and into the future by contacting the Red Hill project coordinators:

Learn about what your elected officials are doing to protect and preserve our natural resources:

YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

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January 2021 Update

Red Hill Contest Case Hearing

JANUARY 27, 2021 – For community members interested in observing the DOH Contested Case Hearing regarding the Red Hill Underground Storage Tank Facility Permit Application, which will take place from Monday, February 1, 2021 through Friday, February 5, 2021, please see the following livestreaming links. Each day of the planned five-day hearing will have a unique url that you can use to access the day’s hearing. The urls for each day are:

• February 1, 2021 (Day 1) - https://youtu.be/Xg5Nv8A-_VA 
• February 2, 2021 (Day 2) - https://youtu.be/d7UVDBfP3xA 
• February 3, 2021 (Day 3) - https://youtu.be/QeFPRlrRoRw 
• February 4, 2021 (Day 4) - https://youtu.be/7j22rIl1ilQ 
• February 5, 2021 (Day 5) - https://youtu.be/VkPw4t-ztVM 

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October 2020 Update

Fuel Tank Advisory Committee Meeting (Agenda)

• What: Fifth Annual Meeting of the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee (FTAC)
• Date: Friday, October 30, 2020
• Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
• Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted no later than 12:00 PM on Thursday, October 29, 2020, to Thu Perry (thu.perry@doh.hawaii.gov).
• Public Comments: Public comments will be taken at the end of the Advisory Committee member discussions. 
• Where: Zoom 

AGENDA

• 12:45 PM - Zoom Line Opens 
• 1:00 PM - Startup -  Keith Kawaoka, DOH 
• 1:10 PM - Review of Duties of the Committee - HRS 342L-62 (below) Committee to focus on field-constructed tanks (FCTs) at Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, Kuahua Pennisula, Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, and Hickam Pol Annex 
• 1:15 PM - Agenda and Format- Peter Adler, Facilitator 
• 1:30 PM - Recap Role and Function of Red Hill AOC (Administrative Order on Consent) - Steven Linder, EPA & Roxanne Kwan, DOH 
• 2:00 PM - Carry Over Issues and Questions from 2019 Meeting - Thu Perry, DOH 
• 2:15 PM - Technical Updates - RDML Robb Chadwick, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii & CAPT Gordie Meyer, U.S. Navy 
• 2:45 PM - FTAC Discussion- Moderated by Facilitator 
• 3:15 PM - Public Questions and Comments - Moderated by Facilitator 
• 3:55 PM - Next Meeting - Thu Perry, DOH 
• 4:00 PM - Adjourn 

If you require an auxiliary aid or accommodation due to a disability, please contact (808) 586-4226 (voice/tty) or email Thu Perry at thu.perry@doh.hawaii.gov by October 28, 2020. For more information, contact DCAB at (808) 586-8121. 

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December 2019 Update

Testimony Sought for Changes to Administrative Rules (December 2, 2019)

DECEMBER 1, 2019 – The Hawaii Department of Health is holding a public hearing for the proposed amendment of Hawaii Administrative Rules chapter 11-280.1, changes that would require Red Hill to have secondary containment by July 15, 2045.

MALAMA I KA WAI

Voice your opinion on the proposed amendment to Chapter 11 280.1, HAR. Your opinions are important. Please take this opportunity to learn more and share your concerns.

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November 2019 Update

Comments Sought on Red Hill Proposals (November 19, 2019)

NOVEMBER 20, 2019 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) are requesting public comments on the U.S. Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency’s proposal to upgrade the large fuel storage tanks at the Red Hill fuel Bulk Fuel Facility. 

Upcoming Public Meetings

NOVEMBER 12, 2019 – The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) would like to remind the community of two upcoming public meetings related to the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Your opinions are important. Please take this opportunity to learn more and share your concerns. If members of the community are unable to attend either meeting, written comments will be accepted by December 9 for the EPA-DOH meeting or by December 16 for the DOH public hearing. 

• Joint EPA-DOH Public Meeting - Tuesday, November 19, 2019
  Moanalu Middle School (map) | 6:00 PM
  Oral and Written Comments Accepted
  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) are requesting public comments on the U.S. Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency’s proposal to upgrade the large fuel storage tanks at the Red Hill fuel Bulk Fuel Facility. Written comments must be received by the EPA and DOH no later than Monday, December 9.
• DOH Public Hearing - Monday, December 2, 2019
  State Lab Auditorium (map) | 9:00 AM
  Oral and Written Testimony Accepted
  The Hawaii Department of Health is holding a public hearing for the proposed amendment of Hawaii Administrative Rules chapter 11-280.1, changes that would require Red Hill to have secondary containment by July 15, 2045. Written testimony must be received by the DOH no later than Monday, December 16.

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October 2019 Update
 

Comments on the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Permit Application for Red Hill

OCTOBER 24, 2019 – On Tuesday, October 22, the Department of Health, Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch, posted to its website a document containing public comments received regarding the May 28, 2019, draft  permit for an underground storage tank (UST) system operated by the Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor at Red Hill-Aiea and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. 

The Board of Water Supply also posted the following document to its website:

• BWS Comments regarding the Navy's Tank Upgrade Alternative and Release Detection Decision Document dated September 2019 (October 22, 2019)

BWS Comments on the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Permit Application for Red Hill

OCTOBER 18, 2019 – The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) recently posted the following documents online:

• A Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility Update Handout (October 2019)
• Comments to the EPA and DOH re: Navy's DT Reports & IMR Report (October 2019)
• Comments to the EPA and DOH on the Navy's Conceptual Site Model (October 2019)
• Comments re: Notice of Intervenor Status in Contested Case Hearing on UST Permit Application for Red Hill (October 2019)
• Comments on the ABS Consulting Report & Navy's Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Summary (September 2019)
• Comments re: Request for Notice of Contested Case Hearing on UST Permit Application for Red Hill (August 2019)
• The DOH's letter to the U.S. Navy re: their Application for an UST Permit (July 2019)

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June 2019 Update
 

BWS Comments on the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Permit Application for Red Hill

JUNE 24, 2019 – The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) provided comments to the State Department of Health (DOH) regarding the department's April 12, 2019 response to the U.S. Navy's underground storage tank permit application dated March 13, 2019, and the Navy's revised permit application dated May 15, 2019.

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April 2019 Update
 

BWS Comments on Navy Testimony for Hawaii Senate Concurrent Resolution 35 (SCR 35)

APRIL 11, 2019 – The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) provided comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Hawaii State Department of Health regarding the U.S. Navy's testimony for Senate Concurrent Resolution 35.

Joint Hearing: House Committees on Health and on Energy & Environmental Protection

APRIL 11, 2019 – The Hawaii House Committees on Health and on Energy & Environmental Protection held a joint briefing to address immediate concerns regarding public health as it relates to the environment, including concerns about the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Representatives from the Hawaii Department of Health, the U.S. military, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Life of the Land, and the Sierra Club of Hawaii were invited to participate. This session took place on Thursday, April 11, in Room 329 at the State Capitol.

• Watch the April 11, 2019 briefing on demand via Capitol TV.
  

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March 2019 Update
 

U.S. Navy Application for Underground Storage Tank Permit at Red Hill

MARCH 29, 2019 – The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) provided comments to the Hawaii State Department of Health regarding the U.S. Navy's recent application for an Underground Storage Tank (UST) permit for 20 USTs at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Facility.

Public Hearing on Senate Concurrent Resolution 35 (SCR 35)

MARCH 20, 2019 – Members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Environment and the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental & Military Affairs voted to advance Senate Concurrent Resolution 35 following a public hearing held on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. The resolution would encourage federal and state regulators to reject a single-wall tank upgrade option for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and to encourage the U.S. Navy to take greater steps, including the option of permanently relocating the tanks, to prevent fuel contamination from reaching Oahu's underground aquifers at Red Hill.

• Watch the March 20, 2019 meeting on demand via Capitol TV (item starts at 03:45).
• Use the video player below to watch the BWS recording of the meeting (01:03:17).
  

City & County of Honolulu City Council Meeting - Resolution 18-266, CD1

MARCH 8, 2019 – The City & County of Honolulu City Council heard final public testimony, and ultimately approved the adoption of Committee Report 57 and Resolution 18-266, CD1 as amended, which urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii State Department of Health to reject the approval of a single wall tank upgrade alternative option for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and to reject the conclusions presented in the Groundwater Protection and Evaluation Considerations for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility Report dated July 27, 2018.

• Watch the March 8, 2019 meeting on demand via Honolulu City Council TV (item starts at 57:38),
• Use the video player below to watch the BWS recording of the meeting (25:40).
  

Destructive Analysis of 10 Steel Coupons Removed from Red Hill Fuel Storage Tank #14

MARCH 8, 2019 – The Honolulu Board of Water Supply submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State Department of Health (DOH) regarding the IMR Test Labs Report regarding the Destructive Analysis of 10 Steel Coupons Removed from Red Hill Fuel Storage Tank #14.

• IMR Test Labs: Destructive Analysis Report on 10 Steel Coupons Removed from Red Hill Fuel Storage Tank #14 with U.S. Navy cover letter (2/15/19)
• BWS Comments to EPA and DOH regarding the IMR Test Labs Destructive Analysis Report on 10 Steel Coupons Removed from Red Hill Fuel Storage Tank #14 (3/5/19)
• BWS Request to EPA and DOH for additional data folllowing a review of the IMR Test Labs Destructive Analysis Report on 10 Steel Coupons Removed from Red Hill Fuel Storage Tank #14 (3/6/19)

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February 2019 Update

City Council Committee on Public Infrastructure, Technology and Sustainability

FEBRUARY 27, 2019 – During a continued session on Wednesday, February 27, for the Honolulu City Council's Committee on Public Infrastructure, Technology and Sustainability, the committee concluded the public hearing on Resolution 18-266, which urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii State Department of Health to reject the approval of a single wall tank upgrade alternative option for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and to reject the conclusions presented in the Groundwater Protection and Evaluation Considerations for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility Report dated July 27, 2018.

• Watch the combined February 26 and 27, 2019 meetings on demand via Honolulu City Council TV, or
• Use the video player below to watch the BWS recordings of the meetings (combined: 01:13:41).
  

City Council Committee on Public Infrastructure, Technology and Sustainability

FEBRUARY 6, 2019 – The U.S. Navy briefed the Honolulu City Council's Committee on Public Infrastructure, Technology and Sustainability on their updates regarding the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC). This briefing and public testimony were conducted as part of discussions on Resolution 18-266, which urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii State Department of Health to reject the approval of a single wall tank upgrade alternative option for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and to reject the conclusions presented in the Groundwater Protection and Evaluation Considerations for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility Report dated July 27, 2018.

• Watch the February 6, 2019 meeting on demand via Honolulu City Council TV, or
• Use the video player below to watch the BWS recording of the briefing (55:37).

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January 2019 Update

BWS Board of Directors Meeting: Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility Update

JANUARY 28, 2019 – The BWS presented an update on the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility to the Board of Directors during its regular meeting on Monday, January 28, 2019.

• Use the video player below to watch the presentation (begins at 0:30:54; ends at 0:59:51).
  
  • BWS Board of Directors Meeting Notice and Meeting Materials (01/28/19)

City Council Committee on Public Infrastructure, Technology and Sustainability

JANUARY 23, 2019 – The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) provided an update regarding Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) to the Honolulu City Council's Committee on Public Infrastructure, Technology and Sustainability. This briefing and public testimony were conducted as part of discussions on Resolution 18-266, which urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii State Department of Health to reject the approval of a single wall tank upgrade alternative option for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and to reject the conclusions presented in the Groundwater Protection and Evaluation Considerations for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility Report dated July 27, 2018

• Watch the January 23, 2019 meeting on damand via Honolulu City Council TV, or
• Use the video player below (begins at 0:10:27; ends at 0:32:51).
  • Presentation: BWS Briefing to the City Council Public Infrastructure Committee (01/23/19)

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December 2018 Updates

Fuel Tank Advisory Committee

DECEMBER 24, 2018 – The Board of Water Supply submitted comments today to the Hawaii Department of Health's (DOH) regarding the committee's third annual fuel tank advisory committee meeting and regarding the draft report prepared by the DOH Underground Storage Tank Section to the 30th Legislature for the State of Hawaii (2019).

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent

DECEMBER 11, 2018 – The Board of Water Supply is a subject matter expert (SME) for the Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) and has posted a document containing copies of correspondence that the BWS is having with the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) asking why DOH raised their environmental action limit (EAL) for total petroleum hydrocarbons as diesel (TPH-d) from 160 micrograms per liter (ug/L) to 400 ug/L.

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November 2018 Updates

Fuel Tank Advisory Committee Meeting

NOVEMBER 21, 2018 – The BWS recently shared a livestream on Facebook of the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee meeting held on Thursday, November 1, at the State Capitol. A recording of that livestream is available below:

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October 2018 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent

OCTOBER 29, 2018 – The BWS recently submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Health for the State of Hawaii regarding the U.S. Navy's 2018 Conceptual Site Model Report, Investigation and Remediation of Releases and Groundwater Protection and Evaluation, dated July 27, 2018. 

BWS Board of Directors Meeting: Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility Update

OCTOBER 22, 2018 – The BWS presented an update on the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility to the Board of Directors during its regular meeting on Monday, October 22, 2018. Presentation begins at 0:34:13 and discussion ends at 1:04:20.

• BWS Board of Directors Meeting Notice and Meeting Materials (10/22/18)

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent

OCTOBER 5, 2018 – The BWS recently offered comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Health for the State of Hawaii on the following topics related to the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) Statement of Work (SOW):

• Comments on the AOC SOW Sections 6 and 7 Groundwater Monitoring Working Group Meeting No. 13, Held August 16, 2018 (09/28/18)
• Comments on the Groundwater Protection and Evaluation Considerations for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility dated July 27, 2018 (10/2/18)
• Comments on Meetings Held on August 14 and August 15 on the AOC SOW Sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 (10/4/18)

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September 2018 Updates

BWS Board of Directors Meeting: Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility Update

SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 – The BWS presented an update on the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility to the Board of Directors during its regular meeting on Monday, September 24, 2018. Presentation begins at 0:00:45 and discussion ends at 0:16:05.

• BWS Board of Directors Meeting Notice and Meeting Materials (09/24/18)

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 – The BWS recently offered comments to the EPA, Hawaii DOH, and/or the Department of Land and Natural Resources (Commission on Water Resource Management) on the following topics related to the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) Statement of Work (SOW):

• Request to DOH for Explanation of the Basis for the Increase in the Environmental Action Levels (EALs) for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Middle Distillate Fraction (TPH-d) (8/20/18)
• Comments to the EPA and DOH on the SOW for Destructive Testing Supplement - Destructive Testing Plan, Supplement to AOC SOW Section 5.3.2 dated June 1, 2018 and Inspection on June 25, 2018 of Coupons Removed from Tank 14 (8/20/18)
• Comments to the EPA and DOH on the Half-Day Meeting held on June 6, 2018 on AOC Section 6 and 7 (7/23/18)
• Comments to the DOH regarding the U.S. Navy Calendar year 2017 Fourth Quarter (2017 Q4) Groundwater Monitoring Well Test Results, DOH letter dated June 18, 2018 (7/19/18) 
• Comments to the EPA and DOH on the Red Hill Alternative Location Study, AOC Section 8.f dated March 6, 2018 (6/19/18)
• Comments to the EPA and DOH on the Groundwater Flow Model Progress Report 04, Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility dated April 5, 2018 (5/24/18)
• Comments to the DOH regarding the U.S. Navy Calendar Year 2017 Fourth Quarter (2017 Q4) Groundwater Monitoring Well Test Results available on the DOH website dated January 19, 2018 (4/26/18)
• Questions and Requests for Clarification regarding the EPA Red Hill Tank Farm Groundwater Split Sampling Data Results from October 2017 (4/26/18)
• Comments to the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Commission on Water Resources Management, on the Department of Navy Technical Memorandum (4/10/18)

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May 2018 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent

MAY 13, 2018 – The BWS recently offered comments to the EPA and Hawaii DOH on the following topics related to the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) Statement of Work (SOW):

• Comments on the AOC SOW Sections 6 and 7 Groundwater Monitoring Working Group Meeting No. 10, Held April 13, 2018 (04/30/18)
• Comments on the AOC SOW Sections 6 and 7 Groundwater Modeling Working Group Meeting No. 9, Held March 16, 2018 (04/24/18)
• Comments on the U.S. Navy Report on Seismic Profiling to Map Hydrostratigraphy in the Red Hill Area (04/20/18)
• Comments on Michael Baker International Report on Test Plan for Evaluating Leak Detecting Methods (03/23/18)
• Comments on SOW AOC Sections 6 and 7 Groundwater Modeling Working Group Meeting No. 8, Held February 12, 2018 (02/21/18)
• Supplemental Comments on the ABS Consulting Group QRVA (Quantitative Risk and Vulnerability Assessment) for AOC SOW Section 8 (03/20/18)
• Comments on the Sentinel Well Network Development Plan (03/13/18)
• Comments on the Risk-Based Decision Criteria Development Plan (03/05/18)

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February 2018 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent

FEBRUARY 21, 2018 – The BWS recently offered comments to the EPA and Hawaii DOH on the following topics related to the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) Statement of Work (SOW):

• Comments on the AOC SOW Section 3 Tank Upgrade Alternatives (TUA) Report dated December 8, 2017 (02/12/18)
• Comments on the AOC SOW Sections 6 and 7 Groundwater Modeling Working Group Meeting #7 Held on January 11, 2018 (02/13/18)
• Comments on the AOC SOW Sections 6 and 7 Groundwater Modeling Working Group Meeting #6 Held on December 20, 2017 (01/25/18)

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October 2017 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent

OCTOBER 26, 2017 – The BWS recently offered comments to the EPA and Hawaii DOH on the following topics:

• Tank Upgrade Alternative Decison Process Document Dated September 29, 2017 (10/19/17)
• Letter from EPA and Hawaii DOH on Conditional Approval of SOW Section 2.4 Dated September 5, 2017 (10/18/17)
• Groundwater Modeling Working Group Meeting Held on September 22, 2017 (10/18/17)
• Letter from EPA Regarding Revision to Conditional Approval of SOW for Destructive Testing Dated May 30, 2017 (10/16/17)
• Meeting on AOC Section 8 TUA and QRVA Held on August 31, 2017 (9/12/17)
• Groundwater Modeling Working Group Meeting for Red Hill AOC Held August 17, 2017 (8/28/17)
• Conditional Approval of SOW Deliverable 3.2 Tank Upgrade Alternatives SOW Dated December 8, 2016 (8/07/17)
• Letter from US EPA and Hawaii DOH on Conditional Approval of Section 8.2 SOW Dated May 16, 2017 (8/1/17)
• UST System Evaluation Final Report Dated June 13, 2017 (7/14/17)
• Conditional Approval of SOW for Destructive Testing Dated May 30, 2017 (7/14/17)
• Release Detection Alternatives Report Dated June 19, 2017 (6/19/17)

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July 2017 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent

JULY 5, 2017 – The BWS recently offered comments to the EPA and Hawaii DOH regarding the groundwater modeling group meeting held on June 26, 2017, for the Red Hill AOC Scope of Work, Sections 6 and 7.

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June 2017 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent

JUNE 14, 2017 – The Board of Water Supply (BWS) has posted a copy of a letter from the DOH to the U.S. Navy regarding two reports, the Existing Data Summary Report, dated March 5, 2017, and the Data Gap Analysis Report dated April 25, 2017. 

In addition, the BWS posted formal letters with comments on the following items:

• Draft of the Synoptic Water Level Study Work Plan from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Pacific Islands Water Science Center, dated May 5, 2017 (6/02/17)
• Tank Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (TIRM) Procedure Document, AOC SOW Section 2.4, dated April 24, 2017 (6/01/17)
• Risk/Vulnerability Assessment, AOC SOW Section 8.2, and Navy Transmittal Letter, dated April 13, 2017 (5/26/17)
• Meeting Minutes for "Check-In" Conference Call with the EPA, DOH and BWS held on May 11, 2017 (5/19/17)
• Data Gap Analysis (DGA) Report, dated April 25, 2017 (5/19/17)
• Existing Data Summary and Evaluation (EDSE) Report, dated March 5, 2017 (4/17/17)

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May 2017 Updates

Red Hill Fuel Storage Tank Project Update Meeting

MAY 26, 2017 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Hawaii Department of Health, the U.S. Navy, and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) will be sponsoring a meeting on Thursday, June 22, to provide information on the progress being made to evaluate and implement upgrades to the infrastructure and operations and maintenance procedures for the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility. Information on the ongoing work to investigate and monitor the groundwater under and around the facility will also be available. The meeting will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions related to the work being performed under the Administrative Order on Consent with the U.S. Navy and the DLA.

If you have any questions about this meeting, please contact the regulatory agencies by sending an e-mail to redhill@epa.gov or calling Thu Perry at (808) 586-4226.

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April 2017 Updates

Existing Data Summary and Evaluation (EDSE) Report and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests for Information

April 21, 2017 – The BWS offered comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) to the Existing Data Summary and Evaluation (EDSE) Report for Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Fate and Transport Modeling, Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Oahu, Hawaii.

The BWS also requested assistance from U.S. Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and of U.S. Representatives Tulsi Gabbard and Colleen Hanabusa with getting timely responses from the Department of Navy to two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests for Information submitted on October 14, 2016 and November 11, 2016.

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February 2017 Updates

Hawaii Lawmakers Consider Senate Bill 1259

FEBRUARY 16, 2017 – This month, the Hawaii lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 1259, which would require the Navy to implement tank upgrades by July 2027 or to shut down the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility by 2030.

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January 2017 Updates

Red Hill Toxicological Study and Risk Assessment

JANUARY 31, 2017 – The BWS offered comments to the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) regarding the results of a toxicological study and risk assessment that the BWS has performed on the groundwater in the vicinity of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility and has requested immediate action in response to releases to the groundwater at the facility.

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December 2016 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)

DECEMBER 27, 2016 – The BWS offered comments to the U.S. EPA and the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) regarding a briefing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services and follow-up comments and minutes from a conference call with the EPA and DOH.

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November 2016 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)

NOVEMBER 23, 2016 – The BWS has offered comments regarding a November 22 conference call with the U.S. EPA and Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), comments to the Tank Inspection, Repair and Maintenace (TIRM) Report being developed for Section 2 of the SOW, a response to the cover letter and comments regarding the investigation and remediation of releases and groundwater protection and evaluation revision for Sections 6 and 7 of the SOW, and comments on the October 5 meeting to discuss Sections 6 and 7 of the SOW.

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October 2016 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)

OCTOBER 4, 2016 – The BWS has offered comments to the U.S. EPA, U.S. Navy, and the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) comments regarding work plans being developed for tank upgrade alternatives, comments concerning the AOC work plans and associated scoping meetings, a recap of comments for recent AOC and related scoping meetings, and comments regarding the letter from the EPA and Hawaii DOH to the U.S. Navy disapproving the work plan submitted for Sections 6 and 7 of the SOW.

Recent News Stories

• Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Letter to the Editor: Lau, Water Board on side of public (10/12/16; subscription required; scroll down to read)
• Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Letter to the Editor: Navy statements not very helpful (10/12/16; subscription required; scroll down to read)
• Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Letter to the Editor: Red Hill explosion would be disastrous (10/11/16; subscription required; scroll down to read)
• Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Our View: Navy taking too long to fix tanks (10/9/16; subscription required)
• Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Navy Hears from Critics of its Tanks at Red Hill (10/7/16; subscription required)

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September 2016 Updates

Red Hill Fuel Storage Tank Project Update Meeting

SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), the U.S. Navy, and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) will be sponsoring a meeting on Thursday, October 6. Representatives will provide an update on the progress being made to evaluate and implement upgrades to the infrastructure and operations and maintenance procedures for the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility, as well as an update on the ongoing work to investigate and monitor the groundwater under and around the facility. 

The meeting will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions related to the project work under the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with the U.S. Navy and the DLA.

• Date: Thursday, October 6, 2016
• Time: 6 p.m to 8:30 p.m.
• Location: Moanalua Middle School, 1289 Mahiole Street, Honolulu

The BWS remains concerned about the presence of petroleum contamination in the groundwater underneath the Navy’s underground fuel storage tank facility which rests only 100 feet above the groundwater aquifer. This aquifer is a key source of Oahu’s drinking water, providing 25 percent of urban Honolulu’s supply. On-going testing by BWS, shows that its water sources in the area is safe to drink; however, the BWS remains very concerned about the structural integrity of the 70-year-old tanks due to their age. The BWS continues to monitor the implementation of the AOC and is an active participant as a subject matter expert in the meetings with the EPA, the Navy, and the Hawaii DOH as they work on a remediation plan for the storage tanks.

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August 2016 Updates

Public Meeting Held at Moanalua Middle School

AUGUST 15, 2016 – Ernest Lau, Manager and Chief Engineer, and Erwin Kawata, Program Administrator, Water Quality Division, prepared an updated presentation during a public meeting held at Moanalua Middle School. The State DOH and BWS were invited by the Sierra Club to participate in the meeting, during which the BWS expressed concerns that included the 20+ years being given to the Navy to make improvements, and the need for more transparency and public and stakeholder participation in the process. 

Recent News Stories

• Honolulu Star-Advertiser/Associated Press: Critics Say Navy Fuel Tanks Threaten Crucial Hawaii Aquifer (8/3/16; subscription required)

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July 2016 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)

JULY 22, 2016 – The BWS offered comments concerning the location changes for Navy monitoring wells to be installed as part of environmental investigation activities conducted at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

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June 2016 Updates

EPA Update on the Implementation of Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)

JUNE 27, 2016 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials provided a status update to the BWS on the implementation of the Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent during a public meeting held at the BWS Beretania offices.

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)

JUNE 3, 2016 – The BWS offered comments to the Work Plan and Scope of Work for the Investigation and Remediation of Releases and Groundwater Protection and Evaluation for the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

Recent News Stories

• Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Speed Up Action to Fix Fuel Tanks (6/30/16; subscription required)
• Civil Beat: Three More Monitoring Wells to be Built Near Red Hill Fuel Spill Site (6/27/16)

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May 2016 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)

MAY 27, 2016 – The BWS offered comments and recommendations to the Red Hill Monitoring Well Installation Work Plan, as well as comments to the Work Plans being developed under the AOC Statement of Work for Sections 2 through 5 and 8.

Hawaii Business Environmental Report

MAY 12, 2016 - In its May 2016 issue, Hawaii Business magazine reported on the lingering concerns stemming from the U.S. Navy's Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, where there was an accidental release of at least 27,000 gallons of jet fuel from one of the underground tanks.

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April 2016 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)

APRIL 25, 2016 – The BWS offered recommendations for inclusion into Work Plans being developed for each of the Red Hill AOC Statement of Work tasks.

ThinkTech Hawaii Livestream

APRIL 15, 2016 – Ernest Lau, Manager and Chief Engineer, and Erwin Kawata, Program Administrator, Water Quality Division, recently joined ThinkTech Hawaii host Kaui Lucas for two livestreams to talk about the ongoing concerns with the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility.

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March 2016 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)

MARCH 29, 2016 – The BWS offered comments to the EPA and DOH related to the testing of chemicals of potential concern (COPC) in Red Hill groundwater monitor wells.

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October 2015 Updates

Red Hill Administrative Order on Consent (AOC)

OCTOBER 5, 2015 – On Thursday, October 1, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State Department of Health (DOH) announced a final Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with the U.S. Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The AOC requires the military to take immediate and long-term steps to minimize the threat of future leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

The BWS is currently conducting an in-depth analysis of the final AOC and Statement of Work (SOW). According to Ernest Lau, manager and chief engineer, "Based on our preliminary review, the revised AOC/SOW still allows the Navy up to 22 years to implement repairs or upgrades to this facility. This continues to be a concern for the BWS as we had advocated for an expedited timeline. Protecting our drinking water resources in the Red Hill area is of utmost importance to the BWS. We look forward to working with the State Department of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency as they move forward with this agreement."

Recent News Stories

• Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Despite Order, Doubts Remain About Red Hill (10/2/15; subscription required)
• KITV 4 News: Settlement Reached Over Red Hill Fuel Spill (10/1/15; updated 10/28/15)

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Updated: 10/20/2020