Navy moves closer towards decommissioning, closing Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility 

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII – The Department of the Navy (DON) submitted Red Hill Tank Closure Plan Supplement 3 to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) for a 45-day review period today.  Supplement 3 builds upon previous Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) closure plan submissions and includes a revised integrated master schedule, facility closure updates, and Phase 1 of the Closure Site Assessment Work Plan (SAWP).   

A site assessment work plan is required by state law prior to the closure of any underground fuel storage tank system in Hawaii. The Navy’s Phase 1 plan details a proposed sampling and analysis process to determine the presence of petroleum. The assessment will focus on analyzing locations and components within the facility's perimeter to verify whether petroleum hydrocarbons are present, and if necessary, provide recommendations for further action.

The development of a sound sampling and analysis process is the first in a series of integral steps toward defining the Navy’s approach to the long-term environmental remediation. 

“Submission of Supplement 3 demonstrates the Navy’s continued progress towards the permanent closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility,” said Rear Adm. Marc Williams, Deputy Commander, Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill. “This supplement is foundational for the Navy’s long-term environmental remediation efforts and for safeguarding public health and the environment upon facility closure.” 

Since the May 2023 submission of Red Hill Tank Closure Plan Supplement 2 and the March 2024 completion of defueling operations by Joint Task Force – Red Hill (JTF-RH), the DON has accomplished many significant time sensitive requirements. Milestones include the successful transition from the defueling phase of operations to the closure phase, continued coordination with the EPA and DOH on submissions and revisions of closure work plans, implementation of an approved tank ventilation and air quality monitoring process, the removal of all the removal of all aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) concentrate from the facility, start of a remediation pilot study, facilitation of senior executive level and congressional site visits, and the organization and participation of numerous public engagements and community events.

The DON continues to comply with all regulatory requirements and is working to ensure future closure supplements and work plans are submitted, including Phase 2 of the Closure Site Assessment Work Plan and updated Groundwater Flow, Vadose Zone, and Contaminate Fate and Transport models. The Navy plans to decommission and close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in 2028. 

Tank Closure Plan Supplement 3 can be found here and previously submitted Closure Plan documents are available on the RHBFSF website. For more information about NCTF-RH, visit www.navyclosuretaskforce.navy.mil or download our free mobile app by searching for “NCTF-Red Hill” in the Apple App store or Google Play store.