Tanapag Fuel Farm (AST Removal Action)
A survey of Tanapag Fuel Farm in August 1994 determined that the tank farm was eligible for environmental restoration funding under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program for Formerly Used Defense Sites ("DERP-FUDS"). The Tanapag Fuel Farm project site consists of two former tank farm areas located approximately 0.5 miles apart on the island of Saipan, CNMI. The project site was historically part of the Navy's Tanapag Naval Operating Base, which was active between 1944 and 1950. Forty-two ASTs were located on a 96-acre site in the village of Tanapag, and four ASTs were located on a separate 4.8 acre site near the village of Sadog Tasi. The fuel farms were constructed to supply Navy Special Fuel Oil, diesel and motor vehicle fuel, and aviation gasoline for American military operations. The project site includes land owned by the CNMI Department of Public Lands ("DPL") and privately-owned properties. In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") removed six ASTs as part of a response action. Currently, 13 tanks in various conditions remain at the village of Tanapag, and four tanks remain in the village of Sadog Tasi.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and the CNMI Division of Environmental Quality ("DEQ"), with cooperation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE") will remove some of the old military above-ground ("AST") oil storage tanks and associated contamination from Tanapag Village. In 2006, the U.S. EPA removed six AST as part of a response action, in Tanapag village. As part of a response action, those six tanks are Tanks #4, #6, #10, #12, #13, and #14. Currently, thirteen tanks in various states of deterioration remain at the Tanapag village, whereas, four tanks remain at the Sadog Tasi site.
A removal action is planned for the Former Tanapag Fuel Farm in 2016, for the remaining 17 tanks at Tanapag and Sadog Tasi. A Supplemental Remedial Investigation (RI) was done to further delineate the extent of contamination in the soil at the 17 tank locations. In addition, studies were done for the groundwater as well.
According to the RI, it has identified that six tank sites (#5C, 17, 37, 38, 39, and 42) with chemicals of potential concern (COPCs) in soil at concentrations exceeding the Pacific Basin Environmental Screening Levels (PBESLs). However, COPCs were not identified in the groundwater. (Former Tanapag Fuel Farm, Contract No. W912DY-10-D-0013)
Based on the results of these previous investigations, seventeen tank locations with ASTs in various stages of deterioration have been identified for removal during this project. Specific goals for the project include the following:
- Remove and recycle or properly dispose of steel tanks, tank remnants, piping, and appurtenances that remain at each tank site.
- Remove, crush, and dispose of concrete tank pads for use as haul road materials at Marpi Landfill.
- Remove and dispose of contaminated soil with COPC concentrations exceeding the project cleanup goals at the Marpi Landfill.
In 2016-2017, removal action for the remaining seventeen tanks at Tanapag and Sadog Tasi has begun. Removal and recycle or proper diposal of steel tanks, tank remnants, piping was done at the Sadog Tasi site for Tanks #37, 38, 39, and 42. In addition, the removal, crushing of concrete tank pads was conducted at the tank site.
A removal action was conducted for the Former Tanapag Fuel Farm in 2016, for the remaining 17 tanks at Tanapag and Sadog Tasi. A Supplemental Remedial Investigation (RI) was done to further delineate the extent of contamination in the soil at the 17 tank locations. The removal action included demolition and removal of 13 tanks and/or remnants in Tanapag village and four tanks in Sadog Tasi, followed by soil sampling to determine whether contamination is present beneath and/or adjacent to the tanks. Any contaminated soils (if present), will be properly disposed and/or treated.
Prior to any field activites, a Biological Survey for Threatened and Endangered Species ("TES") was performed within the sites. During the removal action, the tanks will be cleaned and demolished. Resulting metal debris will be transported to a local metals recycler following demolition and removal activities, soil samples were then collected to characterize the nature and extent of any contamination associated with the ASTs. Following the removal of the ASTs, soil samples were collected to verify that the soil is below the cleanup goals. (Former Tanapag Fuel Farm Above Ground Storage Tank ("AST") Removal Action, USACE, January 2016).
Category: Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS)
Coordinates: N-15.23723; E-145.75329
Island: Saipan
Village: Tanapag
Response Status: Cleanup Completed on July 30, 2006 (Angel Falig Property); Removal Action by USACE (2016 - Present).
Land Use Restrictions: Residential
Institution Control: Undetermined
Responsible Party: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
Enforcement Authority: Division of Environmental Quality; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Project Lead: Division of Environmental Quality; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Property Status: Private / Public Land
Coordinates: N-15.23723; E-145.75329
Island: Saipan
Village: Tanapag
Response Status: Cleanup Completed on July 30, 2006 (Angel Falig Property); Removal Action by USACE (2016 - Present).
Land Use Restrictions: Residential
Institution Control: Undetermined
Responsible Party: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
Enforcement Authority: Division of Environmental Quality; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Project Lead: Division of Environmental Quality; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Property Status: Private / Public Land