HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1210.010 2006-2008
Murashige, Laura
From: Kaneshi, Emerick Y COL RET [emerick.kaneshi@us.army. mi1]
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 11:23 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony on Hawaii County Resolution 639-08
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Attachments: Test Hawaii County Reso on DU.doc
Test Hawaii County
Reso on DU....
In accordance with page 8, Hawaii County Council-36 agenda, testimony by Major
General Robert G. F. Lee, Adjutant General, on Hawaii County Resolution 636-08 is
submitted. MG Lee will be present to testify on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. Request
confirmation of receipt of this testimony.
Very Respectfully,
Emerick Y. Kaneshi
Joint Military Executive Officer
(808) 733-4260
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Ref. Da#e MAY 2 0
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STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
TESTIMONY ON HAWAII COUNTY RESOLUTION 639-08
PRESENTATION TO THE
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
BY
MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT G. F. LEE
ADJUTANT GENERAL
May 20, 2008
Chair Hoffmann and Council Members:
am Major General Robert G. F. Lee, State Adjutant General. I am testifying on
Hawaii County resolution 639-08. This resolution urges the United States
Military to address the hazards of depleted uranium (DU) at the Pohakuloa
Training Area.
We are in very strong opposition to this resolution for the following reasons:
As good stewards of our environment and a very strong commitment to public
safety, the United States Army, has implemented the following plan:
First, the U. S. Army will provide all information obtained to the State of Hawaii
Department of Health. Second, the State is a partner in the planning and
execution of an extensive survey and monitoring effort to address Schofield
Barracks, Makua Military Reservation, and Pohakuloa Training Area. Third, the
State is a partner in the planning and execution of a mutually agreed upon
response. Lastly, the Army will provide any necessary training to state
participants.
The Army has completed a Baseline Human Risk Assessment (BHHRA) on DU
at Schofield Barracks. The BHHRA is based on the analysis of more than
14,000 air, vegetation, and soil samples by independent laboratories. The
conclusion is that there is no potential or imminent health risk to personnel
working or living at Schofield Barracks and beyond the boundaries of the Army
Reservation.
The characterization survey for the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) has started
and will continue throughout the summer. The Army and State Department of
Health are working together to implement air monitoring at PTA and surrounding
areas. Monitors will be located on and off post. The BHHRA for PTA is
expected in the fall of 2008.
The Army has not fired any DU ammunition in Hawaii since 1968. The spotting
round that contained DU fired by the Army was for weight purposes only. The
round was not an armor piercing penetrator and was not designed to burn.
When the spotting round impacted the ground, it remained intact or in large
fragments. Because DU is about three times heavier than lead, studies have
determined that DU tends to remain in the immediate area that it was deposited.
The Army has prohibited all training DU in 1966 and will not fire any DU
ammunition at any of the military ranges in Hawaii.
Additionally, there is no risk of military live fire training moving existing DU on
ranges beyond their current restricted location. DU aerosolizes at a very high
temperature range, much higher that the heat produced by brush fires and
exploding munitions.
B-2 bombing missions at PTA use inert munitions that do not explode for pilot
certification training. Halting of these bombing missions would severely
jeopardize the certification of our B-2 pilots that provide air support for our
soldiers fighting America's war on terror in Iraq and especially in Afghanistan. As
more units from the Hawaii National Guard and Army Reserve deploy, air
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support provide by trained and certified B-2 pilots is critical to saving our soldier
lives as they continue to fight the ground battle in Operations Iraqi Freedom and
Enduring Freedom.
Based on the facts presented above, the U. S Army in partnership with the State
Department of Health to address DU at the military ranges in Hawaii, and the
critical need for B-2 pilot certification, we strongly oppose the passage of Hawaii
County Resolution 639-08.
Chair Hoffmann, this concludes my testimony. Are they any questions?
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