Better understanding the flow patterns of groundwater in the subsurface is a critical first step in the investigation of contamination at the Red Hill facility.
While most parties agree that groundwater generally flows from the mountains towards the ocean, there are specific geologic characteristics in the area around Red Hill that may cause some groundwater to flow in directions other than directly towards the ocean. Understanding these geologic features is essential in determining the direction of groundwater flow in the Red Hill area.
Groundwater flow modeling has been performed in the past by the Navy, but there are still uncertainties that need to be addressed to ensure that the modeled predictions of groundwater flow is accurate. At this time, a better understanding of the area’s geology is needed before any drilling for the purposes of locating leaked fuel under and adjacent to the Red Hill Tanks is considered. The results of the modeling efforts, both for groundwater flow and contaminant fate and transport, will inform decisions on the feasibility and necessity of recovering any leaked fuel.
On May 4, 2016 the Navy submitted an initial scope of work to address investigation and remediation of contamination, modeling and the groundwater monitoring network. On September 15, 2016 the Regulatory Agencies disapproved this initial scope of work and required the Navy to revise the document. On November 5, 2016 the Navy submitted a revised Scope of Work/Workplan (attached below). The Regulatory Agencies conditionally approved the revised Scope of Work/Work Plan on December 5, 2016 (attached below).
Documents
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Regulatory Agency Conditional Approval: Revised Section 6&7 SOW 2 December 2016 (PDF)(4 pp, 599 K,
12/02/2016)
Letter from U.S. EPA, Region 9 and State of Hawaii Department of Health re: Conditional Approval of Red Hill AOC SOW Deliverable under Sections 6 & 7 -Work Plan/ Scope of Work, Investigation and Remediation of Releases and Groundwater Protection and Evaluation, Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, November 5, 2016 Revision 01