[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 20 (Thursday, February 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. AKAKA:
  S. 2295. A bill to require the Secretary of the Army to conduct a 
survey and monitoring of off-shore sites in the vicinity of the 
Hawaiian Islands where chemical munitions were disposed of by the Army 
Forces, to support research regarding the public and environmental 
health impacts of chemical munitions disposal in the ocean, and to 
require the preparation of a report on remediation plans for such 
disposal sites; to the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation aimed 
to address the disposal of chemical weapons by the military from World 
War II until 1970. A report titled, Off-Shore Disposal of Chemical 
Agents and Weapons Conducted by the United States, lists possible sites 
and types of munitions that may be found in Hawaii.
  The Department of Defense has made tremendous strides in protecting 
the health and welfare of our citizens. However, it still is working on 
being better stewards of our environment. I am pleased the Army has 
taken preliminary steps to investigate these munition disposal sites in 
and around Hawaii. Given the health and safety threats that these 
munitions may pose, I am introducing legislation to ensure the Army 
will obtain a full accounting of the munitions found and the state of 
their condition. Furthermore, it requires the Army to monitor these 
areas for any health, safety, and environmental risks that these 
weapons may pose. Lastly, and more important, the Army will provide a 
report on remediation plans for these areas.
  Sadly the issue of disposing hazardous ordnance and waste is not new 
to the State of Hawaii. Our citizens are keenly aware of the dangers 
that hazardous waste poses to the health and safety of the public and 
the environment. In fact, Departments of Defense installations are 
responsible for generating half of all hazardous waste in Hawaii. For 
these reasons, it is important for Congress to send the right message, 
specifically in this case, and ensure that the Army completes its 
survey, monitors the sites, and provides a plan for remediation. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in passing this important legislation to 
ensure that, if the Department of Defense is responsible for disposing 
of hazardous materials, wherever it may be, then it should be held 
accountable for monitoring and providing a plan for remediation.
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