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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 1210.013 2006-2008 MAY-16-2008 FRi 11.35 AM F =!C!1 16 AM 7, R We ern Regional-r~ x.. ;I{ • entaC bffice E n Vl l~`~~~ - ?k r TO: FROM' ORGANIZATION: CSI Couhtk\ ORGANIZATION: S E-ESOH ku'j C"\ US Custom House PHONE: 721 19tnSt, 4th Fir., Rm. 427 PAX: Denver, CO 80202-2500 .DATE:- PHONE; (303) 844-Oq FAX. (303) 844-0951 PAGES (w/Header): COMMENTS: r ~ 1?~ •u N•~t~ v~..~~ wl ~ h t'~.~~ S ~ ~ lit. ~t 4 ~ ~ q"' 0 ~ ` V ~C _bcp 1'4~k' V'c'~ k ~''~UQ~ ~ ~ b'v\~ G.`?,~~ jt.~ ~'i `r~h?~'?It~nr1, ~''~~'Q`~1"`--j1 c~t~ ~11~.h~c~ c~? ~+o,~Z t~? 1 W. Tooff- 4U8 20 MAY-16-2008 FRI 11:36 AM DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY INSTALLATIONS AND ENVIRONMENT WESTERN REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICE 721 W" STREET, ROOM 427 ~jj DENVER, CO 8x202 €-ua 16 4 8 % 13 May 2008 t h Western Regional Environmental Office Chair, Pete Hoffmann Hawai'i County Council Hawai'i County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Resolution 639-08 Dear Chairman Hoffmann: I am the Chief of the Army's Western Regional Environmental Office. In this capacity, my staff and I have often worked well with the states in Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9, including Hawaii, to exchange information on environmental topics, to coordinate related projects and initiatives, to avoid conflicts where possible, and to help resolve issues of encroachment on the military mission. Proposed County Resolution 639-08 urges the United States military to address the hazards of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). The United States Army currently has a four-point plan to address depleted uranium (DU) discovered on Army ranges in Hawaii. The plan includes partnering with Hawaii Department of Hea!#h (DOH) to plan and execute an extensive survey and monitoring effort, The Army would like the opportunity to brief the Council on the status of the Army's DU survey/monitoring efforts prior to the vote on Resolution 63908. In addition, please find enclosed a letter from Col Killian, Deputy Director, U. S. Army Installation Management Command, Pacific, providing details of the Army's past and current efforts to address DU at PTA, as well as, proposed edits to Resolution 639-08, Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments. Please be assured that the protection of the public and the environment have the highest priority within the United States Army. The point of contact for this office is Park Haney, who may be reached at (303) 844-0957. Sincerely, Gerald F. Owens Chief, Western Regional Environmental Office Enc. MAY-16-2008 FRI 11:36 AM F, 1' DEPARTNIENT OF THE ARMY MY ~ ~ ? ~ 8 - PACIFIC ARMY INSTALL-AT{ON MANAGEMENT COMMAND PACIFIC REGION `132 YAMANAGA STREET FORT SHAMR, Ni 9e8554520 May 13, 2008 Installation Management Command-Pacific Dear Council Member: Thank you for the opportunity to bring you up to date on the Army's efforts to deal with legacy depleted uranium (DU) on Hawaii ranges. I apologize for.the volume of information I have included, but I wanted to ensure you had the background to make an informed decision in regards to the resolution (RES (339-08), which you are contemplating. Since 2005, the Army has worked a very methodical process mapped out by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety and Occupational Health, Mr. Addison Davis, W. The two major tenants of this strategy are to ensure transparency and accountability for depleted uranium. We have-outlined a seven step process of which we are on step four for Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA): 1 - Army implements its four point plan: --She Army will provide all information obtained about the presence of DU to the Hawal'i Department of Health (DOH) in a timely manner. --The State will be a partner in the planning and execution of an extensive survey and monitoring effort this summer to address Schofield Barracks' range, Makua Military Reservation and Pohakuloa Training Area. --The State will be a partner in the planning and execution of a mutually agreed upon response. --The Army will provide any necessary training to State. 2 - Archival research of Davy Crockett use in Hawaii conducted by the Corps of Engineers. 3 - U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command (JMC) Scoping Survey, sampling and testing to confirm the presence of DU conducted by U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command (JMC). (See enclosure) 4 - JMC conducts a Characterization Survey, determines how much DU with specific geographic boundaries, 5 - Data is provided to laboratories for analysis and results are compiled and sent to UH, CDC, and NRC. MAY-16-2008 FRI 11.36 AM P r!04 -2- 6 - Health risk assessment is published. 7 - NRC issues permit and addresses measure to mitigate the hazards identified in the risk assessment to include possible remediation. The Army did not intentionally mislead the public when we made public statements that we had not used DU in Hawaii as part of the Stryker Environmental Impact Statement. The M101 round was a spotting round used from 1962 to 1968 as part of the Davy Crockett recoilless rifle. We had focused on modern, kinetic energy, armor penetrating ammunition because we perceived this to be the source of public concern. The Davy Crockett was a classified, tactical nuclear weapon and the records for this system were transferred to the mainland when the weapon was removed from the inventory. We discovered pieces of the Davy Crockett as we conducted range clearance of the Schofield Barracks impact area. A subsequent archival research study led us to the discovery of the M101 at PTA. The M101 spotting round was not an armor piercing penetrator and was not designed to burn. Where it impacted the ground it remained intact or in large fragments. The Army prohibited all training with DU in 1996 and it requires a site license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to do so. The Army does not possess such a license and has no intention of seeking one. For background on the Army's efforts to date, I have included a briefing we have given the State Legislature and provided to the public. Let me assure you the Army shares your concern for the safety of our Soldiers, their families and our neighbors. We have engaged a wide variety of Federal, State and local agencies to work through the investigative process. These include our primary partner, the State Department of Health, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the University of Hawaii_ The Army is not making unilateral decisions, but works collaboratively with these team mates and will ultimately be regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Our work prioritized our ranges based on the risk of exposure. Schofield Barracks was recently completed with an announcement on April 22, 2008 of the results of the Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment (BHHRA), which demonstrated that the radiological and chemical risks from DU were found to be well within the established limits for what is considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The announcement of the results of the BHHRA is another community DU update, in the continuing series of progress reports to MAY-16-2008 FRI 11:36 AM the people of Hawaii, as directed by Mr. Tad Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety & Occupational Health. We continue to follow our process at PTA and hope to finish full characterization and a BHHRA this year. In the meantime, we have spatially deconflicted training at PTA from the areas with DU and access is restricted. Critics of our efforts have voiced a concern about burning and the aerialization of DU. In order to address this concern we completed a test prior to prescription burns at Schofield Barracks. A report of that test states that there was no measurable hazard during burning activities. We do not typically use prescription burns to manage vegetation at PTA. The creation of very small or nano particles requires an enormous amount of energy, which this low velocity spotting round does not possess. We would ask that point # 1 of the proposed 5 point plan be removed from your resolution: "ordering a complete halt to B-2 bombing missions and to all live firing exercises and other activities at the Pohakuloa Training Area that create dust until there is an assessment and clean up of the depleted uranium already present." The Armed Forces of the United States are at war, the availability of PTA to prepare and train deploying units, such as Hawaii's own 29th Brigade Combat Team and 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry expected later this year, is critical to ensure their readiness, survival and safe return home. After survey and thorough analysis, the Army spatially separated the target area for B-2 bombing training deep in the impact area, several miles removed from ranges where DU fragments were found and suspected areas where DU may have been deposited at PTA. DU is a heavy, dense metal, with nearly twice the density of lead. Studies have determined that it is highly unlikely DU will migrate out of the impact area. To date, there have been no indications that DU is present in the atmosphere and we share training schedules with the DOH to survey while training is occurring. The attached DOH brief shows the measurements they have periodlcally taken. All show only naturally occurring background levels of radiation. The Army and the DOH are in the process of procuring 5 air monitors, which will provide 360 degree persistent coverage of PTA and able to detect Uranium and Lead. The DOH will operate 3 monitors, one is already installed in Kona, but is down for maintenance. The Army will operate 2 monitors on PTA. In addition, independent testing is being conducted as part of the Supplemental EIS for Saddle Road alignment and by the Waikii Ranch Homeowners Association. Radiation can be a scary topic and we are committed to providing information to the public. Army representatives continue to engage both big island community MAY-16-2008 FRI 11:37 AM F OF -4- associations and organizations regarding their concerns with DU. It has engaged organizations such as the Saddle Road Task Force, big island members of the Hawaii Army National Guard and Reserve, and Waikii Ranch, Waikaloa, and Waimea Community Associations. The Army continues to provide timely DU updates and testimony to big island legislators, state legislative leaders and committees, state and county government officials, and the state Department of Health. The Army has hosted several state legislators at both PTA and Schofield Barracks to provide on-site DU update. Army representatives and DU subject matter experts are available to meet with and update community organizations, neighborhood boards, community associations, regarding their concerns about DU. To arrange for a presentation for your organization, please contact Mr. Howard Sugai, Chief, Public Affairs, Installation Management Command-Pacific Region, at 438-0650, or through email at: howard.sugai@us.army.mil. The Army has published an informational pamphlet; "Depleted Uranium (DU) in Hawaii". To obtain a copy or to learn more about DU, please call 438-0650, or request through email at: howard.sugai@us.army.mil. We hope to have a public web site up soon so that citizens can access reports, briefings and ask questions. Finally, DU is a problem that the Army is addressing with all of the vigor and resources that the institution can put behind it. The Army will continue to aggressively monitor DU in the environment and remains committed to protecting the health and safety of residents in surrounding communities, Soldiers, their families, and our civilian work force. Sincerely, X rd illian Colone, US Army Deputy Director Enclosures MAY-16-2008 FRI 11:37 AM P•707 A RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES MILITARY TO ADDRESS THE HAZARDS OF DEPLETED URANIUM AT THE POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA. WHEREAS, in the early 1960's the United States Military used the Pohakuloa Training Area for firing a formerly classified weapon, the Davy Crockett recoilless gun, which has created the presence of depleted uranium (DU) in the impact area at the U.S, Army Garrison, Pohakuloa; and WHEREAS, the World Health Organization has released several reports and scientific studies concerning the health risks from exposure to.depleted uranium; and WHEREAS, depleted uranium is a chemically toxic and radioactive heavy metal with a half-life of 4.6 billion years; and WHEREAS, depleted uranium emits radioactive alpha particles that can cause cancer when inhaled or ingested and also cause kidney and lung damage; and WHEREAS, there is a public health need to ensure the safe storage, disposal, and clean-up of munitions and other products or materials containing depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area to protect all residents of Hawaii Island; and WHEREAS, the United States Military Is hereby requested, with urgency, to address the potential hazards of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area with the following five-point plan; ,W., ,,....,7. :.K_,Y••; .,w....,..i, ,..,y.. g. ...T.... S. - ..'.+n,. r• ~vr, n•nj r „r v...•••,,..;r.....,.,}'--+r; _ SJt•..:, irR"; Ef'f•~'pyyvi4 ;ryq~i r.:a.. i~, 5 i.;: ..,.fir...: „ 2. Establishiff- a""" nigh-tech monitonng systerri1with procedures to ensure air quality control; r n ue Co i.n +n n with `the ;State of l-Hawaii 'fie art en o 'th ' ' niver5itawaii to assure, works g ..a an y, trar~sparencyand c„,mmunity:.~confiderce 'Provide periodic updates and inform the public; and 6. Ensure' funds are avallable;for.tNie,mpr itorlng program; now, therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the U.S. Military will incorporate the five-point plan to address the potential hazards of depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Count Clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to ,,.~.•W.,,._.,;a.. "Army In stallatlon Management Command- 117 Pacific; all members of the Hawai'l State Legislature; Senator Daniel K. Inouye; Senator Daniel K. Akaka; Congressman Neil Abercrombie, and Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono. D N 0 0 Installation Management Command Pacific MVVR S fo J D Deplete Uraniu pdate ontwar d Killian, Deputy Region l--ector February .008 Our Fission: Our mission is to provide the army the installation capabilities and services to support expeditionary operations in a time of persistent conflict, and to provide a quality of life for Soldiers and Families commensurate with their service. Leading Change for Installation Excellence MINIMUM -M COL H. Ki@laa l9MPC r fe ffi *M-898!) rbamrd.ki fi armv.mif ~ ~ MAY-16-0008 FRI 11:38 AM P _'~00 FINAL 'T'ECHNICAL MEMORANDUM Depleted Uranium Scoping Investigations Makua Military Reservation Pobakuloa Trai nfing Area Schofleld Barracks Impact Area Islands of Oahu and Hawaii Prepared for Department of the Army Headquarters, U.S. Array Sustainment Command Procurement Directorate, Environmental Contracting Division AMSAS-CCA-I, Bldg 350, 5th Floor Rock Island, IL 61299-6000 Prepared by WCABRERA SERVICES RADIOI.ACIGAL 9 ENVIRONMENTAL • REMEOIATION 3620 N. Rancho Drive Suite 114 Las Vegas, Nevada 89130 April 2008