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Environmental Restoration Program proposed for site "OT13"

  • Published
  • By the 15th Civil Engineer Squadron
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM, Hi --  The 15th Airlift Wing Environmental Restoration Program announces the availability of the Administrative Record containing documents related to Proposed Plan for Site OT13 at Wake Island Airfield, Wake Atoll.

Site OT13, also known as Scrap Metal Pile No. 2 and Burn Area, occupies approximately 20 acres in the southeastern portion of Wake Atoll. The site was used as a scrap metal disposal and staging area between the late 1950s and 2001. Wastes and materials historically found at the site include abandoned vehicles, equipment, storage tanks, aircraft parts, batteries, demolition debris, electrical transformers, and 55-gallon drums containing asphalt, waste oils, solvents, and paint thinners. Several environmental investigations have been performed at Site OT13 since 1984. The investigation results indicate that the detected concentrations of site-related chemicals in soil and groundwater do not currently pose unacceptable risks to occupational and recreational users. However, potentially unacceptable risks do exist for hypothetical future residents due to direct contact with site soils containing elevated concentrations of site-related chemicals. Based on the investigation results, the 15 AW has decided that a response action is necessary to protect human health because of unacceptable risks from the contaminated soil at Site OT13. Consequently, the 15 AW has selected land use controls as the preferred remedial alternative for the site.

The Department of Defense recognizes the importance of public participation in the Environmental Restoration Program at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam and we encourage your involvement. To facilitate public participation, the 15th Airlift Wing Environmental Restoration Program Manager will make the Proposed Plan for Site OT13 (Scrap Metal Pile No. 2 and Burn Area) available for public review on April 1. This plan is also available for review at: http://projects.ch2m.com/HNL_AFCEE/TO553_EE_CA.htm

In addition, the 15th AW will hold a public meeting April 22 to explain the Proposed Plan for Site OT13. Oral and written comments on the Proposed Plan will be accepted at the meeting. The meeting will be held at the Ohana Honolulu Airport Hotel located at 3401 North Nimitz Highway, Honolulu, Hawaii, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Please address your comments to Mr. Todd Lanning, Chief, Environmental Restoration Program, by mail at 15 CES/CEVR, 75 H Street, Bldg. 1202, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii 96853 5221 or by email at Todd.Lanning@hickam.af.mil. The public comment period begins April 1 and concludes April 30.