[CPEO-MEF] Johnston Atoll Waste Permit Renewal

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

Subject:  EPA PROPOSES HAZARDOUS WASTE PERMIT RENEWAL FOR AIR FORCE ON
JOHNSTON ATOLL

For Immediate Release:  January 31, 2002

Contact:  Mike Ardito, Press Office, 415/972-3081

     Public Hearing in Honolulu on March 6

     SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today
announced its proposal to renew the U.S. Air Force's permit to clean up 
hazardous waste on Johnston Atoll.

     The permit will allow the Air Force to remediate and monitor its
existing hazardous waste.  No more will be brought to Johnston Atoll for 
treatment or storage.  The EPA is proposing to issue the permit for 10 
years to allow continued monitoring of certain areas to ensure the areas 
do not require further cleanup.

     This permit renewal is not connected to closure activities being
conducted at the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System, or
"JACADS," facility.

     The most environmentally significant action in this proposal
involves the thermal treatment of dioxin and PCB contamination at three 
areas.  All other Air Force areas are proposed for additional monitoring 
or no further action.  Once the cleanup is complete, the thermal 
treatment unit will be shut down and removed from the island.


     "We believe this permit renewal ensures that the U.S. Air Force
will clean up contamination on the island in a way that will be safe for 
people, fish, birds and other wildlife," said Arlene Kabei, associate 
director for the EPA's hazardous waste management program in the Pacific 
Southwest.

     People can submit comments on the proposed permit until March 15 to 
the EPA's San Francisco office.  In addition, the agency will hold a 
public hearing on the proposed permit at Washington Intermediate School, 
1633 South King Street in Honolulu on March 6 beginning at 8 p.m.  A 
question and answer session will be held there
from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.

     In February 1992, the EPA issued a 10-year permit to the Air Force 
and Defense Nuclear Agency to store hazardous waste on Johnston Atoll. 
The Air Force submitted an application for permit renewal in August 
2001.

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