EPA Issues Press Release On ASIG Sand Island Fuel Spill Response

(02/09/15) HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) continue response operations to recover spilled jet fuel at the Airport Service Group International (ASIG) facility on Sand Island Access Road in Honolulu. EPA is leading the response effort and working with DOH’s Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response branch and ASIG.

Status of Response

Amount of fuel recovered: 

• Response activities have resulted in the recovery of over 19,871 gallons of spilled jet fuel as of 2/8/15, with fuel recovery continuing. Please note reported fuel recovery numbers may fluctuate to account for the de-watering of the fuel that is necessary during the fuel recovery process.

Current response activities: 

• Jet fuel recovery continues both inside and outside of the facility with fuel being pumped from extraction trenches and wells directly into vacuum trucks. The vacuum truck loads are taken offsite for processing at the Honolulu Airport fuel storage farm. Additional fuel recovery wells are currently being installed outside the facility.
• There continues to be no indication the spilled fuel has moved any closer to the near shore waters or Keehi Lagoon. Spill containment booms have been deployed in the waters near the facility as a precaution. The booms on the water are monitored daily for any signs of fuel, and there is no indication that the spill has migrated into the near shore waters or entered Keehi Lagoon.
• DOH has reported that the fuel spill has not affected harbor activities and there are no closures. Boaters, fishermen, pier construction workers, office workers, wildlife and marine life are safe from the fuel spill as the fuel is underground. There are no drinking water wells in the area.
• Fuel recovery work will continue inside and outside the facility. Future plans call for an interceptor trench to be installed the full length of the area of concern between the onsite extraction trenches and the waterfront to insure that the jet fuel plume does not reach the near shore waters or Keehi Lagoon. 

Response Background Information:

Please visit EPA’s ASIG Sand Island Fuel Spill Response site for past news releases/news advisory updates and photos: http://www.epa.gov/region9/mediacenter/sand-island/