2023 Consent Order Background Information:
On June 2, 2023, the EPA finalized the 2023 Administrative Consent Order (Consent Order) with the U.S. Department of the Navy and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) requiring the safe defueling and closure of the Red Hill Bulk Storage Facility (Facility) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Under the Consent Order, the Navy commits to properly operating and maintaining the JBPHH drinking water system to protect the health and safety of its consumers. The Consent Order continues EPA’s work to oversee the Navy’s response to the November 2021 fuel release from the Facility and the subsequent decision to close the Facility by the Department of Defense.
The 2023 Consent Order does not replace the 2015 Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) between the EPA, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), Navy and DLA which requires the investigation and cleanup of releases. To view information on the active 2015 AOC, please visit Red Hill 2015 Administrative Order on Consent.
2023 Consent Order Documentation:
2023 Administrative Consent Order (Consent Order) and Statement of Work (SOW) Document
SECTION 2: Project Coordination
Under Section 2 of the 2023 Consent Order, the Navy will be working to ensure that all stakeholders and the public have the ability to provide input and feedback regarding the Red Hill defueling, closure, drinking water, and remediation processes.
Listed below are some of the public engagement and information sharing initiatives set forth in Section 2 of the 2023 Consent Order:
- 2.3 Community Outreach and Involvement
The 2023 Consent Order includes a Community Representation Initiative (CRI) which creates the opportunity for ten community leaders, selected by the community, to meet twice a quarter with representatives from DoD, EPA, and other regulators, to be briefed on details and progress under the 2023 Consent Order, and to engage in discussions and provide feedback.
Community Representation Initiative (CRI)
- 2.3.1 Community Engagement Plan
The Community Engagement Plans briefly summarizes how the Navy will facilitate an interactive relationship between interested community stakeholders, both on and off JBPHH, regarding defueling, closure and drinking water requirements conducted by Navy and, as applicable, DLA, pursuant to this 2023 Consent Order.
- 2.3.2 Public Updates
Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill (NCTF- RH) officials met with community members at a Public Open House Event at the Moanalua Terrace Community Center on August 21, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the open house was to engage with community leaders and members of the public on the status of closure of the Facility. Visitors were able to gain insight into the tank cleaning process through static displays and informative presentations from the Navy’s subject matter experts. EPA subject matter experts were also on hand to provide answers to questions pertaining to Red Hill including defueling, drinking water and remediation.
- 2.3.3 Website
In alignment with Section 2.3.3 of the 2023 Consent Order, the Navy will maintain a website accessible to the public, that is dedicated to providing updates on the work taking place at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The website will also provide an avenue for the public to provide their questions or comments to which the Navy will subsequently respond and post those responses in a timely and efficient manner.
2023 - 2025 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) documents can be found by clicking here
- 2.6 Progress Reports
The Navy will be providing 2023 Consent Order monthly progress reports by the 15th day of each respective month. To access the current monthly report, please click on the link below.
- Monthly Progress Reports
SECTION 3: Facility Maintenance and Release Detection
The Joint Task Force – Red Hill (JTF-RH), at the direction of the Secretary of Defense and, for purposes of the 2023 Consent Order, was responsible for maintenance and release detection to support the defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.
With the completion of defueling operations in January 2024, JTF-RH has since been decommissioned and all facility maintenance and release detection responsibilities transferred to NCTF-RH.
SECTION 4: Facility Defueling
Joint Task Force - Red Hill (JTF-RH), at the direction of the Secretary of Defense and, in alignment with Section 4 of the 2023 Consent Order, was responsible for the safe and expeditious defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) through coordination with State and Federal stakeholders. Defueling operations were completed in January of 2024 and all defueling information can be accessed at the link below:
SECTION 5: Facility Closure
The Department of the Navy (DON), at the direction of the Secretary of Defense and, for purposes of the 2023 Consent Order, is responsible for planning, facilitating and completing all activities related to the permanent closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) tank and pipeline system.
SECTION 6: Drinking Water Protection
In alignment with Section 6 of the 2023 Consent Order, the Navy is taking all necessary steps towards properly operating and maintaining the JBPHH drinking water system during the Red Hill defueling and closure processes. These efforts are essential towards safeguarding the health and the environment of all communities across Oahu.
If you have an inquiry not addressed in the topics above,
please submit your question or comment to
CNRH.PAO@US.NAVY.MIL
Last Updated: 01/15/2025