Bill Text: HI SCR118 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Pohakuloa Training Area; Testing and Monitoring of Radioactive Contamination

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-21 - (S) Referred to HTH/PGM. [SCR118 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-SCR118-Introduced.html

---

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	118
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the members of hawaii's congressional delegation to call for comprehensive independent testing and monitoring to determine the extent of radioactive contamination at the pohakuloa training area.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, after years of repeatedly denying the use of depleted uranium in Hawaii, it has been confirmed that the United States Army used depleted uranium at the Pohakuloa Training Area on the island of Hawaii, Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu, and possibly other sites in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the documented use of M101 spotting rounds, containing depleted uranium, for training purposes in conjunction with the Davy Crockett recoilless gun and the possible use of other spotting rounds or weapon systems that utilize depleted uranium have created the presence of radioactive contamination at the Pohakuloa Training Area; and

 

     WHEREAS, the license granted to the United States Army by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission to possess depleted uranium expired in 1964; and

 

     WHEREAS, the full extent of radioactive contamination at the Pohakuloa Training Area is unknown because less than one per cent of the 133,000 acre installation has been tested; and

 

     WHEREAS, depleted uranium is a chemically toxic and radioactive heavy metal with a half-life of approximately 4.5 billion years; and

 

     WHEREAS, depleted uranium emits radioactive particles that can cause cancer, cell mutations, birth defects, and other possible health problems when inhaled or ingested; and

 

     WHEREAS, on July 2, 2008, the Hawaii County Council adopted Resolution No. 639-08, by a vote of eight to one, urging the United States military to order a complete halt to all bombing, live firing exercises, and other activities at the Pohakuloa Training Area that create dust until there is an assessment and clean up of the depleted uranium; and

 

     WHEREAS, although the depleted uranium has not been cleaned up, live firing exercises continue to be conducted at the Pohakuloa Training Area, thereby risking the spread of radioactive contamination on and off the installation; and

 

     WHEREAS, Resolution No. 639-08 also urged the United States military to establish a citizen monitoring system to work closely with military experts to ensure transparency and community confidence; and

 

     WHEREAS, on August 13, 2008, the Hawaii County Council adopted, by a unanimous vote, Resolution No. 701-08, designating Dr. Lorrin Pang as a member of the citizens' advisory committee upon the establishment of a citizen monitoring system; and

 

     WHEREAS, the United States military has failed to establish a citizen monitoring system to work closely with military experts to ensure transparency and community confidence; and

 

     WHEREAS, independent action is needed to address the potential hazards of radioactive contamination to troops, citizens, and visitors to the Pohakuloa Training Area; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation are urged to call for comprehensive, independent testing and monitoring, to be conducted with civilian oversight to determine the extent of radioactive contamination at the Pohakuloa Training Area; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation are also requested to seek federal funds to support this testing and monitoring effort; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States; the Commander, United States Pacific Command; the Commander, United States Army Garrison-Hawaii; the members of the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and the United States House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense; the Governor; and the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Pohakuloa Training Area; Testing and Monitoring of Radioactive Contamination