CPA submits findings on fuel leak to DEQ

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is ready to embark on a massive cleanup operations as it explores ways to provide immediate solution to a contamination case caused by jet fuel leak at the Saipan International Airport.

Ports authority officials underscored the need to completely and promptly address environmental protection issues surrounding the fuel leakage at the Saipan airport to prevent spread of suspected vapor contamination.

CPA, through its consultant Allied Pacific Environmental Consulting, submitted to the Division of Environmental Quality reports on its extensive leak investigation including laboratory and investigation plans.

CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said comprehensive leak investigation is being conducted by APEC and Tetra Tech EM to determine the extent of the problem.

“While we launched our cleanup plan with the initial evidence of sub surface fuel vapor contamination, we’re still gathering facts about the size, shape and scope of the problem,” Mr. Salas explained.

The ports official also said once APEC identifies the areas of contamination, CPA, Mobil Oil Marianas and a solid and hazardous waste management team will start crafting a solution.

APEC has submitted results of soil boring logs, water well sampling reports, location maps, laboratory reports, investigation plans and field survey results.

By submitting the documents, CPA indicated its firm commitment on to address environmental protection issues earlier cited by DEQ.

DEQ officials earlier asked CPA to conduct full-scale investigation to locate approximately 6,000 gallons of jet fuel that appeared to have leaked from a jet fuel storage vault at SIA.

Soil samples earlier taken from areas near the airport disclosed fuel vapor contamination which warrants immediate implementation of extensive cleanup operations.

APEC environmental scientist C. Thomas Polevich said the team has to be careful not to make the problem worse since the project management is dealing with subsurface fuel vapor which, once introduced to water or air, might aggravate the contamination level.

Mr. Polevich explained comprehensive plans are carefully being laid out and that CPA will exhaust all efforts to address the problem.

CPA officials earlier 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 the Tetra Tech.