Defense dep’t liable to toxic waste in Tanapag

The US Department of Defense has been cited potentially liable for its failure to properly dispose of toxic materials left behind at the Tanapag dump site, the Division of Environmental Quality said yesterday.

In a letter to General Counsel Daniel J. Dell’Orto, DEQ Acting Director Antonio Deleon Guerrero pointed out that under the CNMI Harmful Substance Cleanup Regulations, the US Defense took part in the handling, storage, treatment, transportation, and disposal of solid waste.

Mr. Guerrero said based on the Conclusions of Law and Finding of Fact contained in the Final Administrative Order, the federal agency’s improper handling, storage, treatment and disposal of PCB capacitor and fuel tank has presented an imminent and substantial danger to the environment and health of local residents.

He added that the defense’s failure to properly get rid of World War II remnant capacitors and fuel tanks at the Tanapag dump site has presented a threat to humans and the environment.

“DEQ believes that a release or threatened release of harmful substances, including PCBs, dioxins, and dibenzofurans has occurred at the site, and that such release may pose a threat to human health,” the letter read.

Based on reports contained in the Site Investigation – Tanapag Fuel Farm and the Remedial Action – Tanapag Action Contamination Phase II, the sets of evidence suggests that a release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorobenzens, and metals may have occurred.

DEQ has determined that a site hazard assessment, remedial investigation/feasibility study, and compliance monitoring should be conducted at the Tanapag dump site, the acting director stressed.

The environmental agency is seriously considering undertaking enforcement or other appropriate actions against the US Defense based on the regulations. The department was given 15 days to comment on the concerns raised by the DEQ.

Earlier, DEQ disclosed that several harmful substances released into the environment have cancer-causing ingredients and other detrimental health effects which include behavioral disruption affecting fertility, learning ability, and aggression.

The division will strictly enforce the CNMI Harmful Substance Clean up Regulations to protect the residents’ health and the environment by establishing a process to accomplish cleanup when harmful substances have been released or are being released into the environment.

Further, the regulations also establish administrative processes and standards to identify, investigate, and require the cleanup of facilities and sites where harmful substances have been located.

According to Mr. Guerrero, the regulations will provide enforceable standards and will allow DEQ to respond to imminent concerns at the sites, in the interest of protecting the environment and the public’s health. (EGA)