A 2001 U.S. Army report stated that more than 15 million pounds of chemical weapons were dumped in at least three locations off Hawaii during and after War II.

Abercrombie asked the Army to prepare a follow-up report, scheduled for release tomorrow, surveying military records for further information on chemical weapons dumped at sea during that period.

“We need to start moving now to address this issue through legislation,” Abercrombie said.  “The congressional calendar won’t wait.  I want to finalize the bill language and introduce it in time to have it considered for inclusion in the fiscal year 2007 National Defense Authorization Act.

“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 possibly do. I want to approach this issue in a methodical manner, from a solid foundation of factual knowledge and sound analysis.”

Abercrombie’s legislation calls for:

• An underwater survey of  sites where chemical munitions are believed to have been dumped;

• Monitoring confirmed dump sites and Hawaii coastal waters for possible release of harmful agents;

• A research program to study the long-term effects of sea water on chemical weapons; and

• Reporting to Congress on the public health and environmental risks posed by the dump sites, and the feasibility and estimated costs of remediation.

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