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U.S. EPA: Andersen Air Force Base Signs Agreement to Improve Spill Prevention Plans, Safeguard Water Resources

Release Date: 04/28/2014
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, [email protected]

(04/28/14) HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized an agreement with Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB) in Guam requiring the base to update its oil spill prevention plan and address other spill prevention deficiencies at the base to better protect Guam’s water resources.

The Federal Facility Compliance Agreement (FFCA) between EPA and AAFB will require an updated Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan and changes to the facilities to comply with newer, more stringent oil spill prevention requirements. The new plan will include AAFB, the Navy Base, and the petroleum pipeline between the two facilities.

“This agreement improves the base’s ability to safeguard Guam's drinking water and the ocean environment,” said Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “We will continue to work with the base to ensure that the island’s important natural resources are protected for future generations.”

The compliance agreement sets a schedule with deadlines for AAFB to:

· Submit a certified updated SPCC plan by December 5, 2014
· Complete a drainage assessment and necessary improvements to the underground injection control wells to ensure protection of groundwater
· Complete all fuel containment improvement projects
· Follow the specified reporting schedules outlined in the agreement

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