Introduction

     This fact sheet provides information regarding environmental cleanup activities at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Midway Island. On September 30, 1993, NAF
Midway Island operationally closed in accordance with the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act (BRAC) of 1990. In an effort to implement President
Clinton's decision to promote early reuse and redevelopment of closing bases, the Navy is currently implementing a BRAC Cleanup Plan (BCP) for NAF
Midway Island. The Department of the Navy (DoN) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 22,
1996, concerning the transfer of NAF Midway to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Executive Order transferring legal enforcment authority to
the USFWS was signed on October 31, 1996. This fact sheet describes the current and future BCP activities at Midway Island.

 Background

     NAF Midway Island is located on Midway Atoll at the northwestern end of the Hawaiian Island chain, approximately 1,100 miles northwest of Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii. Site of the historic Battle of Midway in June 1942, NAF Midway Island has supported various naval operations since the late 1800s. Currently,
Midway Atoll is a naval base under the juristiction of Pacific Division, Naval Facilities Engineering command (PACNAVFACENGCOM). The USFWS assumed
custody of Midway Island when the transfer of MOU was signed, but operation of Midway will not be changed until the current Navy Base Operating Services
(BOS) contract is completed on June 30, 1997, and the Navy leaves Midway.
     Midway Atoll consists of two main islands, Sand and Eastern, with several smaller islets. NAF Midway Island operational facilities are located on Sand
Island, while Eastern Island has been uninhabited since 1970.

 Purpose and Scope of the BCP

     The purpose of the BCP for NAF Midway Island is to summarize the current status of base environmental restoration and associated environmental
compliance programs, and to present a strategy for implementing response actions necessary to protect human health and the environment. This strategy integrates
activities being performed under both the Navy Installation Restoration (IR) Program and other environmental compliance programs that support cleanup and
accelerate reuse of the base. The initial BCP and Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) were copmpleted in March 1994. The BCP is updated annually to reflect
changes in the status of base activities. The first, second, and third updates were completed in February 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.

Current Activities

     The status of current cleanup activities is presented below:

   1.Two Fluid Injection with Vacuum Extraction (FIVE) systems were installed to cleanup petroleum-contaminated soil and groundwater on Sand Island. The
     systems are fully operational and are anticipated to run until May 20, 1997. As of April 1997, the systems at Area 354 and the Fuel Farms have removed
     over 677,946 pounds of petroleum hydrocarbons.
   2.Forty-two sites were investigated under the IR Program and 11 were identified for no further action (NFA). Of the 31 sites recommended for cleanup, 29
     have been remediated; cleanup is underway at the remaining two sites.
   3.PCB- and presticide- contaminated soils, identified at IR sites on Sand Island, have been excavated and remediated throug stabilization and solidification.
     This methodimmobilizes contaminants, preventing contaminant leaching and creates a solid unit that has been buried in a Corrective Management Unit
     (CAMU) in the new Bulky Waste Landfill (BWLF).
   4.Removal of marine debris from the Inner Harbor and the south shore of Sand Island was completed in August 1996. Containers, vehicles, batteries, and
     potential sources of hazardous substances were removed, cleaned, and disposed of properly. Twenty-three compressed gas cylinders were vented by a
     Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team, prior to removal and placement in the new BWLF.
   5.Asbestos removal actions have been completed in all buildings slated for demolition. These buildings have now been demolished.
   6.Rat eradification efforts on Sand Island began in June 1996 and proved successful. Monitoring of bait stations will continue.
   7.The news BWLF on Eastern Island was closed in December 1995 and covered with 4 feet of clean fill. The BWLF was closed in March 1996 and
     covered with 2.5 to 4 feet of clean fill in September and October 1996. The inactive portions of the municipal and new BWLF on Sand Island are being
     covered as areas within these landfills are filled. Both of these landfills will remain open until June 1997.
   8.Excavated petroleum-contaminated soil will be used for asphalt to repave island roads. Any soil remaining after paving will be treated by solidification.
 

 Future Activities

     Planned future cleanup activities will include:

     In November, the BOS contractor began scraping and repainting damaged lead based paint (LBP) on buildings that are not slated for demolition. This task
     is expected to continue through May 1997.
     All of the aboveground FIVE system equipment and other equipment associated with remedial activities will be shipped off island by June 30, 1997.
     All Navy and Navy contractor personnel and personal belongings will be off island by June 1, 1997.
     A few marine sediment and tissue samples will be collected in September 1997 and 1998 near the old BWLF to monitor the effectivenss of the marine
     debris removal action.
     A closeout BCP will be completed after June 1997.
 

 For Additional Information

     If you have any questions, please contact the Public Affairs Office, PACNAVFACENGCOM, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, at (808) 471-0774.