Navy cited by EPA for Clean Water Act violations

Wednesday, 03 December 2008 00:00 by Zita Y. Taitano | Variety News Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited U.S. Navy for violations of the Clean Water Act.

Violations included discharges from the Navy’s Apra Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant that exceeded water quality permit limits, and several unpermitted discharges to the Namo River that occurred while the Fena water treatment plant was under repair.

The infractions were found during inspections conducted on facilities at the Naval Base Guam last July.

Inspectors also learned the Navy did not fully or properly implement controls for storm water discharges from industrial activities on the base. It was also discovered that three Navy construction sites did not have proper storm water pollution measures.

Aside from the inspections at Naval Base, EPA conducted similar compliance inspections at Andersen Air Force Base.

The EPA compliance inspections at both Department of Defense facilities in Guam included underground storage tanks, solid and hazardous waste management, wastewater and storm water management and compliance with oil spill prevention requirements.

According to Alexis Strauss, EPA’s water division director for the Pacific Southwest, the matter at hand is an important factor that all military facilities on Guam must be in compliance with.

“EPA will work with Guam EPA and DoD to ensure construction and ongoing operations comply fully with environmental requirements to protect and restore Guam's environment,” Strauss said.

Lt. Donnell Evans, spokesman for the U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, said the Navy is addressing the notice of violations from EPA.

“Our environmental team is in close coordination with EPA and expects to meet all requirements and timelines associated with the submission of corrective action plans,” Evans said.