In surprise move, DOD drops appeals to Hawaii’s emergency order over Red Hill

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Division of Protection has dropped its federal and state appeals of the Hawaii Division of Well being’s emergency order to empty the Pink Hill gasoline tanks.

The DOD had beforehand introduced it might drain the tanks, however didn’t drop the appeals amid broader authorized disagreements over whether or not the state might direct the Navy to take motion on the problem.

“The Navy dropping its appeals implies that lastly, after months, the Navy has agreed that all of us face imminent peril from the Pink Hill facility,” mentioned lawyer David Henkin, of Earthjustice.

“That so long as gasoline stays in these tanks, our water provide shouldn’t be secure. And so having lastly given up the authorized maneuvering, we’re hopeful that the Navy goes to focus completely on cleansing up the mess and defueling these tanks in order that we are able to all really feel secure after we open up our faucets.”

Army officers have promised to provide you with a plan for how you can defuel the underground facility, which triggered the Navy water disaster and continues to threaten the general public aquifer.

There’s no timeline but for when the tanks can be emptied.

It is a growing story. Please test again for updates.

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