The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced the finalization of an administrative consent order with the U.S. Department of the Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency to safely defuel and close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

The consent order also includes provisions for the Navy to operate and maintain the drinking water system at the base to protect consumer health and the aquifer, according to a June 2 news release. EPA views this as a critical tool for overseeing the safe closure of Red Hill and the protection of the area's drinking water. 

"Throughout the process, it has been an EPA priority to ensure communities affected by the releases at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam have had a seat at the table as we work together with the Department of Defense to develop solutions that best protect public health and our environment,” EPA Assistant Administrator Janet McCabe said in the release.

Under the consent order, the Navy and DLA are required to obtain EPA approval for their defueling plan and supplements, conduct tightness testing and soil vapor testing for fuel storage tanks at Red Hill and develop a defueling preparedness report, the release said. 

The closure process will be carried out in two phases, with Phase 1 involving the closure of underground storage tanks, pipelines and surge tanks. Phase 2 will cover additional closure activities and remediation, according to the release.

In addition to defueling requirements, the Navy will take steps to safeguard drinking water quality and maintain the drinking water system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the release reported. This includes creating a source water protection plan, extending regular flushing mandates, continuing water sampling and planning for infrastructure and financial needs. 

The final consent order was issued after considering more than 1,700 public comments and includes enhanced public involvement and engagement with local technical experts, the release said.

"This consent order provides a critical tool for EPA oversight of the expeditious and safe defueling and closure of the Red Hill fuel storage facility and the drinking water system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam,” EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman said in the release. “The order reflects our agency’s commitment to ensuring that communities facing difficult and prolonged environmental challenges have an impactful voice at the table as EPA works to resolve them.”

The EPA consent order aligns with the emergency orders previously issued by the Hawaii Department of Health in response to the contamination of the drinking water system. the release reported. It requires the Navy and DLA to minimize fuel movement risks during the defueling and closure process, ensuring compliance with Department of Health's orders. 

The EPA emphasized the importance of protecting the drinking water system and incorporating the perspectives of Native Hawai'ians and local residents in decision-making processes, according to the release.