Experts say Army's Makua study flawed
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
Experts hired by a community group to review Army plans for air, soil, surface water and ground water tests at Makua Military Reservation say the proposed studies are flawed.
According to the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, several experts agreed with University of Hawai'i soil scientist Goro Uehara, who independently reviewed the plans and found the proposed studies "will not enable decision-makers to render a verdict on the impact of military activities on long-term environmental health."
The Army is preparing to study pollutants in the soil, water and air at Makua as part of a settlement reached with community group Malama Makua on Oct. 4, 2001.
A comprehensive review is now being conducted of the proposed testing "protocols" following a 60-day public comment period, the Army said.
"We understand the community's concerns presented during the comment period, and we are reviewing these concerns to determine the appropriate changes to make to our soil, water and air studies," said Col. David L. Anderson, commander of U.S. Army Garrison, Hawai'i.
"We are committed to working with the community as we maintain a trained and ready Army and protecting the environment and cultural resources entrusted to our care," he added.
Earthjustice, which represented Malama Makua in a lawsuit against the Army, said timing was a "major flaw" in ground and surface water testing.
The Army plans to have a draft environmental impact statement by April 2003, when only half of the planned ground water sampling would be completed, Earthjustice said.
University of Hawai'i geochemist Eric De Carlo, one of several experts hired by the community, said the soil sampling plan was "inadequate to characterize" Makua, according to Earthjustice. De Carlo added that "the locations of said sampling will not provide an objective evaluation of the extent of contamination throughout (Makua)."
As part of the settlement, the Army agreed to provide a $50,000 fund for the community to hire experts to review Army plans and findings.
