Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian to hold art demonstration on Dec. 21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 18, 2021 – Hagåtña) Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian invites the community to an art demonstration and solidarity event in response to the ongoing Red Hill water crisis in Hawai’i. The U.S. Navy’s bulk underground fuel reserve ruptured, resulting in thousands of gallons of jet fuel contaminating Oʻahu’s primary drinking water supply and poisoning thousands of people, including young children. The aquifer supplies water to 400,000 residents from Moanalua to Maunalua.
Health officials said on Dec. 10 that additional samples from the Red Hill shaft contained "total petroleum hydrocarbons diesel range organics" 350 times that of levels deemed safe for drinking water. They also tested positive for "gasoline range organics" at more than 66 times the safe level. (More info on Red Hill crisis: https://bit.ly/redhillplsr
“We stand with Hawaii activists and community members calling for the fuel facility to be permanently shut down,” said PLSR Program Director Monaeka Flores. “There are few things more precious than access to pure drinking water. We are nothing without our fresh water aquifers. Once an aquifer is compromised, the harm cannot be reversed. Our hearts are heavy for all those affected by this tragedy, including the many children who have fallen ill from drinking and bathing in jet fuel.”
This crisis is a reminder to our community that what is happening in Hawai’i is currently a very real scenario for Guåhan. Our sole source aquifer provides our island with 80-90% of our drinking water and is at risk of contamination due to development, including the construction of the U.S. Marine Live Fire Training Range Complex above it. 6.7 million rounds of ammunition are proposed to be expended annually. Lead, heavy metals, and other harmful contaminants are known to accumulate in soils at training ranges, thus adversely affecting the health of our aquifer.
The military’s Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) has indicated that the over extraction of water from the aquifer to support the new marine base can result in salt water intrusion that can irreparably harm our aquifer, yet their plans for the buildup include an increased annual withdrawal of groundwater of 1.7 million gallons each day. The SEIS also indicated an increase in the rate of sewage spills impacting groundwater quality from potential exposure to additional raw sewage, and higher levels of chloride concentrations in the aquifer.
Meanwhile, Andersen Air Force Base is just attempting the process of cleaning up contamination on the land it operates, 25 years after it was put on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List. Eighteen sites related to munitions on the base, which house military weapons and equipment, are pending action for contamination investigation and cleanup. The spraying of agent orange continues to harm the health of our people, and most recently AO residue was found along the fence line of an elementary school.
Our island also suffered a massive fuel leak in recent years, contaminating our soil. On August 9, 2018, local news outlets reported that a military contractor waited nearly three months to notify the Guam Environmental Protection Agency about accidentally spilling 100 gallons of jet fuel and 10 gallons of fuel-contaminated water. The jet fuel spill occurred during an upgrade to a pipeline from Sasa Valley to Andersen Air Force Base one year ago in August 2017. While the project cost is $63 million dollars, the contractor was only required to pay fines of less than $100,000.
Enough is enough. Guahan can’t afford anymore contamination.
“We wish we could turn back time for all those affected in Hawai’i. They are currently living our worst nightmare,” said PLSR Interim Executive Director Maria Hernandez May. “On Guåhan, there is still time to say NO to 6.7 million bullets per year above our main drinking water source and oppose contamination to our aquifer before we suffer a similar fate. We need to protect our water. We need clean water to sustain our people. ”
The event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021 at the Adelup field. Art supplies will be provided for community members to create signs and decorate a large canvas dropcloth to show solidarity with Hawai’i activists and all those affected by this tragedy.
Please carpool, bring water and a chair or blanket to sit on. Feel free to also bring paints and used cardboard or poster boards. This is a family friendly event. Attendees are expected to be mindful of PLSR’s code of conduct for events and protests:
1. This is a peaceful action; we are non-violent.
2. Please let the CHamoru value of respetu guide your words, actions and expressions.
3. Do not attack others or their beliefs.
4. Do not use spoken or written profanity.
5. Be mindful of those around you, especially young children and elders; Look out for one another.
6. Think of safety at all times.
7. No smoking of any kind and no alcohol.