U.S. EPA Rates DEIS “Inadequate” and “Environmentally Unsatisfactory”

“The Environmental Protection Agency is sharply criticizing the military’s plan to move thousands of Marines to Guam, saying its failure to plan for infrastructure upgrades would lead to raw sewage spills and a shortage of drinking water.

Further, the agency said the military’s plan to build a new aircraft carrier berth at the U.S. territory’s Apra Harbor would result in “unacceptable impacts” to 71 acres of a high quality coral reef.

The EPA outlined the criticisms in a strongly worded six-page letter to the Navy regarding a draft environmental impact statement by the military.

Specifically, the EPA said the military’s plan would lead to the following problems:

• A shortfall in Guam’s water supply, resulting in low water pressure that would expose people to water borne diseases from sewage.
• Increased sewage flows to wastewater plants already failing to comply with Clean Water Act regulations.
• More raw sewage spills that would contaminate the water supply and the ocean.

Regarding coral reefs, the EPA said the military underestimated the effect the aircraft carrier berth would have on a resource that currently provides essential habitats for fish and endangered sea turtles and that supports commercial and recreational fishing.

Resources

EPA Sharply Criticizes Military’s Guam Plan, NY Times (Feb. 24, 2010).

EPA’s Harsh Rating May Slow Guam Buildup, Stars & Stripes (Feb. 26, 2010).

See PNC’s Coverage on this Issue

Read the EPA’s Assessment of The Guam DEIS

Read the Summary in the Cover Letter of EPA’s Assessment of The Guam DEIS