Detailed cleanup plan on oil leak submitted

Officials of the Commonwealth Ports Authority and Mobil Oil Marianas have submitted to the Division of Environmental Quality the proposed Site Investigation Plan to determine possible damage of the oil spill incident at the Saipan International Airport.

Through Allied Pacific Environmental Consulting, a Guam-based solid and hazardous waste management, CPA and Mobil Oil filed the detailed report on exploration and investigation process to detect probable water and soil contamination problems.

According to APEC Environmental Scientist C. Thomas Polevich, the SIP was submitted Wednesday to DEQ office which was followed by an intensive meeting with representatives from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and DEQ officials.

CPA and Mobil Oil are awaiting results of the evaluation of the proposed cleanup program which will be released by the Environmental Quality Office today or early next week.

Mr. Polevich disclosed that at least 14 water wells near the airport area were earlier inspected and three of these supply wells are continuously being monitored in a regular basis by APEC and Tetra Tech EM Inc.

Initial report of APEC disclosed a comprehensive sampling and testing procedure of soil and water wells although earlier laboratory tests disclosed negative result.

CPA Deputy Director Regino M. Celis said the SIP is a collaborated efforts of the ports authority, Mobil Oil, APEC and the Tetra Tech to determine safety of potable water, and the possible human health and ecological risks that might result from the spillage.

Despite the determination to immediately begin a more comprehensive investigation, ports officials are keen to keep the airport traffic normal and not to disturb any infrastructure projects within the Saipan airport.

Based on the submitted cleanup plan, APEC recommended to do soil boring to areas where the supposed leakage occurred, and detect possible soil and water contamination.

The two however believes that certain factors like rain, soil types and depth of the water wells will play a vital role in determining extent of damages.

In addition, Mr. Polevich said CPA and Mobil Oil are both preparing for the worst should contamination is detected especially to well fields where residents from Southern Saipan are getting their supplies.

As early as now, plans are being mapped out and the two companies are prepared to any eventualities, Mr. Celis explained.

Throughout the duration of the program, CPA and Mobil Oil will be working closely with the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, DEQ and EPA for developments.

Earlier, DEQ officials warned that should the two companies failed to submit the detailed SIP, monetary penalties and stricter measures will be imposed.

The two were asked to work together to sort out the problem and determine solution to possible contamination problem that may arise from the leakage incident last Jan. 1. (EGA)