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Partnerships
Hawai'i State Governor Linda Lingle hosts environ-
mental officials from the Outer Islands
In Region 9 we are incorporating revitalization into each
of our cleanup programs. Building partnerships with
local, state, and other federal agencies is a high priority
for Region 9 and an important step in implementing and
developing site reuse.
Government agencies are collaborating to address
environmental and revitalization issues unique to the
Pacific Islands. The inaugural meeting of the Pacific
Islands Brownfields Response Team was held in Honolulu
in February, 2008. Representatives from Guam,
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
American Samoa,and Hawaii agreed to share knowledge,
expertise and resources about brownfields response
programs and cleanup of contaminated property. The
Team also agreed to develop uniform Environmental
Screening Levels (ESLs) across the Islands. These ESLs will
be used to evaluate whether cleanups are required and
should provide Pacific-wide standards for lenders and
developers.
"The Conference offers an excellent
opportunity to unite as a region and
tackle problems and issues together."
- Roland Gutierrez,Guam EPA
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Brownfields
A. B. Won Pat Infefhatioffal Airport
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Tamuninig and Barrigada,
The main terminal was com-
pleted in 1998. The facade
represents a lattestone, ancient
stone pillars built by Chamorro
people,and found throughout
the Mariana Islands
Guam
Background: The US Navy
transferred over 1800 acres
of the former Agana Naval
Air Station to the A.B.Won
Pat International Airport
Authority in 2000. Under
Base Reuse and Closure
authority, the US Navy
previously cleaned up
contamination to industrial
levels, and placed land use
restrictions on a number of
parcels. The airport wanted
to lease these parcels for airport-related purposes. Private
companies were hesitant to enterinto long-term leases,and spend
significant funds on facility improvements to properties with
restricted uses. In addition,undeveloped land was available nearby
without any of these land use restrictions.
In 2006,the A.B.Won Pat International Airport received three EPA
Brownfields cleanup grants to address residual metals
contamination at three separate locations within the airport
property: a former aircraft graveyard,a former aircraft maintenance
facility, and a large drainage facility. The cleanup of the aircraft
graveyard and the maintenance facility will allow these parcels to
be leased to air cargo handling or similar operations without
restrictions. The cleanup of the drainage facility will remove a
threat from contaminated runoff to Guam's sole source aquifer.
Summary: Cleanup of these parcels will begin in 2008. During
the cleanup, soil samples will be taken during excavation and
analyzed. Metals analyses are being performed using an X-Ray
Fluorescence (XRF) Meter, a portable field device that provides
quick turnaround results. Additional soil samples are being sent
to the laboratoryforconfirmation and qualityassurance purposes.
Reuse Facts:
• A half acre (25,000 square feet) of developable land will be made
available for commercial lease through the cleanup action. The
airport has the potential to generate up to $90,000 in annual lease
revenues when the cleanups are completed.
• Approximately 2,500 yards of contaminated soils will be reused
as base material during construction of a new airport perimeter
road. This on-airport disposal/reuse option provides a safe cost-
effective alternative to off-site transportation and disposal. The
soils will be covered with gravel and encased in asphalt,
eliminating potential exposure. Perpetual maintenance is
ensured by the airport's need to provide security patrols and
operate firefighting vehicles on these roadways.
• The airport currently provides more than 2000 jobs to local resi-
dents. Cleanup and reuse of these parcels will provide additional
employment opportunities to the people of Guam.
Contact: Dave Hodges
415-947-4287
LAND REVITALIZATION
IN THE OUTER
PACIFIC ISLANDS
US EPA Cleanup Programs at Work
Commonwealth
of the Northern
Mariana Islands
LAND REVITALIZATION
Restoring land for America's communities
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
May 2008
Introduction
The Vision: to restore the nation's con-
taminated land resources and enable
communities to safely return these
properties to beneficial economic,
ecological, and societal uses.
Revitalization - putting formerly contaminated land to
use - is a priority for all of EPA's cleanup programs.
Whether the cleanup is performed as a Superfund
removal action, remedial action, RCRA corrective action,
a Underground Storage Tanks (LIST) cleanup action, or a
Brownfields Grant,the end-use of the land is always kept
in mind.
A focus on land revitalization helps to:
• foster more efficient cleanups;
• bring jobs to communities;
• expand the local tax base;
• drive community rejuvenation; and
• expand recreational and wildlife areas
Numerous obstacles hinder the expansion and develop-
ment of useable lands in the outer Pacific Islands. These
obstacles - distance, topography, isolation, and limited
resources - are often coupled with unique historical chal-
lenges and a growing demand for development. By work-
ing cooperatively with Commonwealth and Territorial
governments and other federal agencies, EPA has been
able to address these issues to meet the needs of local
island communities while protecting human health and
the natural environment.
Raising awareness of UXO dangers helped improve
public safety at the War in the Pacific Memorial Park,
Asan Beach, Guam.
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Brownfields
Tire pile before site remediation
DededS Sport's Complex
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Guam
,
Background: In December
2002,Guam was hit by a super
typhoon causing approx-
imately $700 million in
damages. The super typhoon
caused wind,rain and flooding
damage to properties across
the entire island resulting in
extended power and water
outages. In the aftermath, government agencies set up several
temporary collection stations for residents to bring their damaged
property,such as white goods,construction debris,green waste,and
more than 5,000 motor vehicle tires. Hazardous waste was also
brought by residents to one of the collections stations located in
the Village of Dededo. While FEMA funded most of the waste
disposal,tires and potentially contaminated soil was left behind. The
site is part of over 150 acres of undeveloped village land managed
by the Guam Department of Parks and Recreation (GDPR) and is a
center of recreational activity for Island residents.
Summary: With grants from US EPA,Guam EPA conducted a Phase
I site assessment of the property in April 2008, a first step in the
redevelopment process. GDPR created development plans to
convert some of the property into a first-class sports complex. These
facilities will serve residents and the recreational needs of 10,000+
US soldiers to be relocated to Guam. The tires will be processed and
sent to Korea for incineration in a waste-to-energy plant. Steel belts
from the tires will be recycled in the Asian steel market. Soils will be
investigated prior to development.
Reuse Facts:
• 20 acres of formerly unusable land will be put into use.
• Four baseball and Softball fields and an outdoor swimming pool
will be constructed on the site.
Dededo Sports Complex rendition
Con tact: Debbie Sen ech ter
415-972-3093
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Brownfields &
r~ (
p (~* p A Resource Conservation
Ixv^ I\/\ and Recovery Act
Departmen t of Public Lands
Saipan, CNMI
Background: World War II
(WWII) military occupation and
warfare left millions of pounds
of Unexploded Ordnance
(UXO) in the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands
(CNMI). This UXO is a direct
UXO is found throughout CNMI threat to pubNc hea,th since it
may detonate if disturbed, and may also threaten soil, surface water
and groundwater. The CNMI Dept. of Environmental Quality has
located numerous areas on the Islands of Saipan,Tinian, and Rota
that require assessment and clearance.
Summary: Starting in 2006, EPA awarded Brownfields assessment
and cleanup grants to the CNMI Dept. of Public Lands. They are
currently clearing UXO at the Marpi Village Homestead site on the
north end of Saipan. Both CNMI and EPAare consulting with the US
Fish & Wildlife Service regarding potential endangered species
impacts from the cleanup and development. Several endangered
birds and the Mariana fruit bat have been observed in the area.
Biological surveys are being conducted,and conservation measures
are being identified to avoid and minimize these impacts. CNMI has
set aside a large area as a mitigation bank for the future survival of
these unique species. The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease
Registry is also assisting CNMI with a health monitoring project to
document the dangers of UXO, and provide public education and
outreach aboutthese hazards. EPA hasfinalized a unique agreement
under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) with the
CNMI Dept. of Public Safety to safely store and treat UXO at the Marpi
Point open detonation area. Previously, EPA issued emergency
permits for this activity, but now CNMI will have the authority to
quickly and safely store and dispose of this hazardous waste.
Reuse Facts:
• 153 acres on Saipan are being cleared of WWII UXO.
• 500 new homesteads are being created for local residents.
• Safe disposal of UXO, collected across the entire island of Saipan,
will allow for continued redevelopment elsewhere.
UXO is located using electromagnetic detection equipment
Contact: Dave Hodges 415-947-4287
Removal
Tanapag Tank Removal
Saipan, CNMI
Background: Tanapag
Tank Farm was built by
the US military during
World War II (WWII) to
provide fuel for naval
ships and aircraft. Prior
to WWII, the area was a
privately owned resi-
dential area. Post-
WWII, the nearly 100
acre site continued to
Response teams remove hazardous
storage tank
be used for refueling purposes until the 1950s when the operations
ceased and the site was abandoned. While aircraft fuels were
removed from some of the tanks, residual heavy oils were left in other
tanks. After the war,Tanapag Village was returned to local control,
but the tanks were left where homes are located.Consequently,the
US Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) was tasked to assess the hazards
and contamination associated with the former tank farm. Years of
neglect and weathering had caused many of the tanks to collapse,
resulting in oil spills and soil contamination in close proximity to
residences.
Summary: In 2006, the EPA's Emergency Response Team, in
conjunction with the CNMI Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
and USAGE, removed six aboveground oil storage tanks, oil/sludge,
and contaminated water and soil from the formerTank Farm. With
an emphasis placed on minimizing harm to the surrounding natural
environment,over 2,300 tons of contaminated soil and 16,710 gallons
of treated water were removed. Over 140 tons of disassembled scrap
metal from the tanks were sent for recycling. CNMI DEQ worked
side by side with EPA,expanding theirfield and laboratory experience
and increasing their environmental programs capacity.
Reuse Facts:
• Six properties were made safe for residential and commercial use.
•Two of the properties are currently being used.
• Four remaining properties are available.
Contaminated soil removal from site
Contact: Michelle Rogow
415-972-3082
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Removal
,~A--
Scrap Meial-'Yard Remediation
Tafuna Village,Tutuila,
American Samoa
Background: For several
decades, the seven acre
Tafuna Scrap Metal Yard
(TSMY) has served as a
central depository for
scrap metal waste on the
island of Tutuila in
Cleanup crews remove scrap American Samoa. Other
metal from yard waste commodities, such
as tires, machinery, batteries, and ammonia cylinders have also
accumulated, posing a significant threat to human health and
the environment. Managed by the American Samoa Power
Authority (ASPA),the scrap metal yard accepts metal waste from
the Territory agencies, local businesses,and the general public.
The TSMY property is located within the boundary of the Pago
Pago International Airport and has been leased to the
Department of Port Administration (DPA) from the American
Samoan Government.
Summary: In 2006, EPA conducted an assessment of the
property to determine how to approach the removal of on-site
waste materials. After results from EPA's assessments were
reviewed, in 2007 ASPA entered into a contract with Good Year
Corporation Ltd to begin to remove and recycle all waste
collected on the property. To date, 6,000 to 8,000 tons of scrap
metal have been removed. By July 2009 over 48,800 tons of
recycled materials are expected to be containerized and shipped
off American Samoa.
Reuse Facts:
• Seven acres of land will be put into reuse.
• Site to be used as part of a $20 million DPA Airport Division
plan for improvements to Pago Pago Airport to meet the island's
transportation, infrastructure, tourism,and economic needs.
Contact: Carl Goldstein
415-972-3767
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