Provisions on chemical weapons, Makua and Kalaeloa also in bill

The action came when the Armed Service Readiness Subcommittee approved military construction projects to be included in the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Act.

The Hawaii projects approved today are:

Hickam Air Force Base

C-17 Fuel Cell Nose Dock

$25.0 million

Hickam Air Force Base

Restore C-17 aircraft apron and access road

$3.538 million

Kunia National Security Agency Operations Center

Facility replacement, Increment 4

$47.016 million

Pearl Harbor Naval Magazine

Fire Station

$6.01 million

(added to bill at Congressman Abercrombie’s initiative)

Pearl Harbor

Dredge West Loch Channel for T-AKE (ammunition ship)

$30.994 million

Pearl Harbor

Helicopter flight training facility

$4.324 million

Pearl Harbor

Site preparation, Mobile User Objective System

$13.02 million

Pearl Harbor

Replace Environmental Preventative Medicine Unit 6 Facility

$7.7 million

Schofield Barracks

Unit Operational Facility

$42.0 million

Schofield Barracks

Child Development Center

$12.5 million

“This construction will help the military and it will help Hawaii,” said Abercrombie. “Federal investment has always been a key element in our economy and it will remain important for the future.  The bottom line here is jobs, contracts and small business survival.  I worked hard to get bipartisan support for these projects, and I’m pleased to see those efforts paying off for Hawaii.

“We’re making a commitment to military personnel and the units stationed in Hawaii.  It reflects our determination to maintain an infrastructure that will support isle-based commands for decades to come.”

The bill also included three other provisions included at Abercrombie’s request:

(1)  Authorization for the Defense Department to identify, survey, study and monitor unexploded ordnance dumped at sea by the military at the end of and after World War II, including chemical munitions in waters off Hawaii.

Abercrombie said: “No one knows exactly where these weapons are, how many tons are out there, what impact they’re having on health and the environment, or what we can do about it.  It’s important to start getting a handle on these questions. Operating from ignorance is the worst thing we can do. This issue has to be approached in a methodical manner, from a solid foundation of factual knowledge and sound analysis.”

Chemical Weapons Language

(2) A requirement for the Navy to sell or lease 499 acres in the mauka portion of Kalaeloa (formerly Barbers Point Naval Air Station) by September 30, 2008. 

The area is designated for development in the Navy’s Ford Island Master Development Agreement.

“I’d like to get this area into the housing or commercial development stream as quickly as possible,” said Abercrombie.  “In planning for mass transit, it’s important that we be able to make provisions to serve the people who will live and/or work on this property”

Barbers Point Language

(3) A requirement for the Army to study and identify by March 1, 2007, alternative sites to Makua Valley for live fire training exercises.

“We have to bring the Makua issue to some kind of resolution,” said Abercrombie.  “I’ve told the Army that if they choose another site for this activity, I’m confident our congressional delegation can secure funding for it.  It’s the only way to bring an end to the endless round of conflict and bad feelings connected with the use of Makua Valley for live fire exercises.” 

Makua Valley Language

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