Answer:
JANURY 10, 2008
Dear Candyce:
Enclosed you will find some recent documents from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in regard to its hearings on the contamination at Camp Lejeune.
The documents include letters from committee members to various agencies, and the responses.
I am also writing to Chairman John Dingell of that committee to obtain any updates the committee may have on the situation. When I receive a response, I will forward it to you. I am also writing the Environmental Protection Agency to see what follow-up action, if any, are being taken for those who were potentially contaminated by the pollution at Camp Lejeune.
I will also send you that response. It will take about 30 days or so for those responses.
If I can be of further assistance to you during the interim, please feel free to contact my District Office.
W. Olver of Congress JOHN 0. DINGELL, MICHIGAN CHAIRMAN June 6, 2007 Dr. Howard Frumpkin Director Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 1825 Century Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30345
Dear Dr. Frumpkin: The Committee staff of the House Energy’ and Commerce Committee recently met with officials of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to review ATSDR’s ongoing public health assessment of possible health impacts related to historical exposures to trichloroethylene (TCE) and other volatile organic compounds from contaminated drinking water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (Camp Lejeune).
We are writing to obtain information regarding apparent historical exposures of military personnel to TCE and volatile organic compounds in drinking water at military facilities other than Camp Lejeune with observed TCE contamination.
At Camp Lejeune, TCE and other volatile organic compounds were discovered in finished drinking water and in groundwater wells used as a source of drinking water at the site in the early-mid I 980s. In 1985, military officials immediately closed 10 specific groundwater wells used as a source of drinking water upon discovering the wells were contaminated with high levels of TCE and other volatile organic compounds.
Concentrations of TCE were detected as high as 1,400 parts per billion (ppb). The Environmental Protection Agency promulgated a 5 ppb drinking water standard for TCE in 1989. ATSDR is in the process of completing an extensive multi-year public health assessment that will calculate TCE and other volatile organic compound exposures to residents at Camp Lejeune, and review possible links between birth defects and exposure to TCE and other volatile organic compounds. As part of our review of TCE and volatile organic compound contamination at Camp Lejeune, Committee Minority staff reviewed over 7,000 records that document TCE contamination of groundwater and tap water at various military and civilian facilities across the United States. This information was obtained from the ATSDR’s publicly available HazDat database, Using the information available in HazDat, the attached list (Attachment A) identifies military bases with TCE contamination of both finished tap water and groundwater used as a source of municipa]lpublic drinking water. In some cases, the extent of TCE contamination is similar to or far in excess of what was observed at Camp Lejeune. For instance, at the Wurtsmith Air Force Base, TCE concentrations were as high as 1,100 ppb in tap water, and source groundwater used as a source of drinking water at the site had concentrations as high as 5,173 ppb. As another example, source groundwater used as a source of drinicing water at the Nebraska Ordnance Plant had TCE concentrations as high as 663,000 ppb.
In many cases, facility-specific data in the HazDat database is incomplete or missing important information with respect to the levels of TCE observed, the source of the tested water (tap water, groundwater, or municipal groundwater), or the location of the sampled water (onsite or offsite). Furthermore, where more complete data is available, the HazDat data indicates that source groundwater or tap water was at one time contaminated with TCE. However, the data does not indicate whether individuals were in fact exposed to contaminated drinking water, the degree of any exposure, or the duration of any exposure.
Based on the limitations of the HazDat data, we are concerned that we do not have a complete understanding of historical TCE and volatile organic compound contamination and exposures from drinking water at these facilities. Many of these facilities are Superfund sites, so it is likely that ATSDR has completed a health assessment at many facilities that will provide information on current exposures at these sites.
To obtain a better understanding of these matters, and specifically to obtain available information on historical exposures at these sites, we ask that you respond in writing to the attached list of questions (Attachment B).As you know, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is planning a June 12, 2007, hearing to review Camp Lejeune drinking water contamination. I ask that you provide an interim response to these questions by June 11, 2007, and a complete response by June 25, 2007.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important matter.
If you have any questions, please contact us or have your staff contact Dwight Cates of the Minority Committee Staff at (202)225-3541.
Sincerely,
Joe Barton Ed Whitfield Ranking Member Ranking Member Ranking Member Subcommittee on Oversight and Invesstigations
cc: The Honorable John D. Dingell Chairman Committee on Energy and Commerce
The Honorable Bart Stupak Chairman Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
CHAPTER 2
Attachment A Defense Facilities with TCE Contamination in Groundwater used for Municipal/Public Drinking Water.
AIR FORCE PLANT #4 (GENERAL DYNAMICS) TX7572024605 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 11000 micrograms/Liter (ug/L)
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE GU 6-5-7 1-7-9-9-9 5-1-9 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 39parts per billion (ppb)
BARSTOW MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE CA8170024261 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 25parts per billion (ppb)
CORNHUSKER ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT NE2213820234 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 32.lparts per billion (pph)
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE (4 WASTE AREAS) WA Groundwater, Public/Municipal 80parts per billion (ppb)
LAKE CITY ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT M03213890012 Groundwater, Public/Municipal S2parts per billion (ppb)
MARCH AIR FORCE BASE CA4570024527 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 66 micrograms/Liter (ugLL)
MATHER AIR FORCE BASE CA8570024143 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 800 parts per billion (ppb)
MCCI-IORD AIR FORCE BASE WA8570024200 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 20 parts per billion (ppb)
MCCLELLAN AIR FORCE BASE CA4570024337 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 2000 micrograms/Liter (ug/L)
MIDDLETOWN AIR FIELD PAD980538763 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 311 micrograms/Liter (ug/L)
NAVAL AIR DEVELOPMENT CENTER PA6170024545 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 293 parts per billion (ppb)
NAVAL WEAPONS INDUSTRIAL RESERVE PLANT MA6 170023570 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 33 parts per billion (ppb)
NEBRASKA ORDNANCE PLANT NE621 1890011 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 663000.00000 pans per billion (ppb)
NORTON AIR FORCE BASE CA4570024345 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 17 parts per billion (ppb)
OLD ROOSEVELT FIELD NYSFN0204234 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 170 micrograms/Liter (ug/L)
OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE/CAMP EDWARD MA2570024487 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 9.80 micrograms/Liter (ug/L)
PICATINNY ARSENAL NJ3210020704 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 260 parts per billion (ppb)
PEASE AIR FORCE BASE NH7570024847 Groundwater, PubliefMunicipal 391 micrograms/Liter (ug/L)
WHITING FIELD NAVAL AIR STATION FL2170023244 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 10.5 parts per billion (ppb)
WURTSMITH AIR FORCE BASE M15570024278 Groundwater, Public/Municipal 5173 parts per billion (ppb)
Defense facilities with TCE contaminated Tap Water
NEW BRIGHTON/ARDEN HILLS/TCAAP (USARMY) MN72 13820908 Tap Water 150 micrograms/Liter (ug/L)
WURTSMITH AIR FORCE BASE M15570024278 Tap Water 1100 parts per billion (ppb)
Attachment B 1. For each facility on the attached list, please describe what public health activities the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has conducted, and the results of those activities. Please provide information specific to trichioroethylene (TCE) and volatile organic compound contamination, exposures, and historical exposures. Please include an explanation of when the TCE contamination was discovered, whether/when other volatile organic compounds of public health significance were discovered, whether exposures were likely to have occurred, and whether/when such exposures were stopped.
2. Please provide the same information requested in question #1 for any military facility missing from the attached list that ATSDR is aware had TCE or volatile organic compound contamination in tap water or groundwater used as a source of drinking water.
3. Please explain why the data for several military facilities in the HazDat database have incomplete or missing information, and what ATSDR is doing to obtain that missing information, and any steps ATSDR is taking to ensure more complete information in the HazDat database.
6/11/07 Preliminary Information in Response to 6/6/07 Letter Requesting Information re: Department of Defense Sites with Private or Municipal Well Water Contamination (Specifically, Tetrachloroethylene and Trichioroethylene Contamination) Site Name -
American Lake Gardens (U.S. Air Force) Contaminant-PCE Maximum Level-Not Reported. Private Wells-Not Reported.Private Wells- TCE-Maximum Level-41 ppb. Municipal Wells-4.5 ppb. Estimated Exposed Population 3,000-10,000.No time-lines provided. Restoration began in 1985, and public water had been provided by that time.
Site Name-Camp Lejeune (Marine Corps). Contaminant-Maximum Level- Municipal Wells-PCE-215 ppb. TCE-1,400 ppb. Estimated Exposed Population-up to 1,000,000 (about 85,000 at Tarawa Terrace) for 29 years.
Site Name-Defense General Supply Center (Defense Logistics).Contaminant-Maximum Level- Private Wells-PCE-4.9 ppb. TCE-5.2 ppb. Estimated Exposed Population-84. No time frame for expousure.Center opened in 1942. Contamination found and alternate supply offered in 1987.
Site Name-Ellsworth Air Force Base. Contaminant-Maximum Level-PCE-Private/Municipal Wells-not reported. TCE-24.5 ppb. Estimated Exposed Population-6. Time Frame Exposed-10 years maximum.
Site Name-Fort Lewis( U.S.Army)Contaminant-Maximum Level-PCE-Private Wells-6 ppb. TCE-41 ppb.Estimated Exposed Population-20. No time frame for exposure. Post opened in 1917. Contamination was found in 1985, and alternative water was made available in 1985.
Site Name-Fort Riley (U.S. Army). Contaminant-Maximum Level-Private Wells-PCE-330 ppb. TCE-96 ppb. Estimated Exposed Population-2,550. Time Frame Exposed-no estimate. Wells on-line in 1928, 1943, and 1958 with oldest ones replaced in 1993 and signs posted at off-site well in 1993. Contamination found in 1981.
Site Location-Griffiss Air Force Base-Contaminant-Maximum Levels-Private Wells-PCE-6.9 ppb. TCE-Not Reported. Estimated Exposed Population-95. Time Frame Exposed-No Estimate. Base operated from 1942-1995. Contamination(low levels)was found in 1982 and continued until 1989(7 years known exposure,years prior to 1982 unknown).
Site Location-McClellan Air Force Base. Contaminant-Maximum Level-Private Wells-PCE-4 ppb. TCE-55ppb. Estimated Exposed population-16,540. Time frame of exposure. No estimate. Base opened in 1938. Contamination found in 1979. Most homes put on public water by 1986.
Site Location- Rocky Mountain Arsenal (U.S. Army)Contaminant-Maximum Levels-Private Wells-PCE-14.7. TCE-Not Reported. Estimated Exposure Population-30,207. Time frame exposed. No estimate, but likely less than 5 years. Sampling began in 1985 and comtamination was first found in 1990. Bottled water was offerd in 1990
CHAPTER 3
JOHN 0. DINGELL, MICHIGAN CHAIRMAN June 7, 2007
J. DENNIS HASTERT, ILLINOIS FRED UPTON. MICHIGAN CLIEF STEARNS. FLORIDA NATHAN DEAL. GEORGIA EDWHITFIELD. KENTUCKY BARB AR A CUB IN. WYOMINY JOHN SHIMKUS. ILLINOIS HSATHER WILSON. NEW MEXICO JOHN B. SHADEEG. ARIZONA CHARLES W, 'CHIP’ PICKERING, MISSISSIPPI VITO FOSSELLA, NEW YORK STEVE BUYER, INDIANA GEORGE RADANOMCH, CALIFORNIA JOSEPH R. PITTS, PENNSYLVANIA MARY BOND. CALIFORNIA GREG WALDEN, OREGON LEE TERRY, NEBRASKA MIKE FERGUSON, NEW JERSEY MIKE ROGLRS. MICHIGAN SUB MYRICK. NORINCAMOLINA JOHN SULLIVAN. OKLAHOMA TIM MURPHY. FENNBYLVANIA MICHAEL C- BURGESS,TFXAS MARSHA BLACKBURN. TENNESSEE
The Honorable Donald C. Winter Secretary of the Navy 1000 Navy Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20350-1000
Dear Secretary Winter:
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is investigating issues arising from drinking water contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. As a result of the contamination, Camp Lejeune was placed on the National Priorities List in 1989. As part of our investigation, Committee staff are reviewing activities of the U.S. Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy, the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with regard to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
The Committee has jurisdiction over the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund), and public health. To aid our investigation of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune and to gain a fuller understanding of the events leading up to the discovery of the contamination and the Federal response after the contamination was discovered, the Committee would like to review copies of all of the documents listed on the Vaughn Index (attached). Please provide unredacted copies of these documents to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, room 316 Ford House Office Building, as soon as possible, but no later than close of business on Friday, June 8, 2007.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact us or have your staff contact John Arlington at (202) 226-2424 or Joanne Royce at (202) 225-8077.
JOHN D. DINGELL CHAIRMAN JOHN D. DINGELL MICHIGAN CHAIRMAN June 11,2007 J. DENNIS H.ASIERT. ILLINOIS FRED UPTON. MICHIGAN CLIFF STEARNS, FLORIDA NATHAN DEAL GEORGIA ED WHITFIELD, KENTUCKY BARBARA CUBIN, WYOMING JOHN SHIMKUS, ILLINOIS HEATHER WILSON, NEW MEXICO JOHN B. SNADEGG, ARIZONA CHARLES W. ‘CHIP’ PICKERING, MISSISSIPPI VITO FOSSELLA, NEW YORK STEVE BUYER, INDIANA GEORGE RADANOOVICH, CALIFORNIA JOSEPH R. PITTS, PENNSYLVANIA MARY BONO, CALIFORNIA GREG WALDEN, OREGON LEE TERRY, NEBRASKA MIKE FERGUSON, NEW JERSEY MIKE ROGERS, MICHIGAN SUE MYRICK, NORTH CAROLINA JOHN SULLIVAN, OKLAHOMA TIM MURPHY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL C. BURGESS,TEXAS MARSHA BLACKBURN, TENNESSEE
Dear Secretary Winter:
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is investigating issues arising from drinking water contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. As a result of the contamination, Camp Lejeune was placed on the National Priorities List in 1989. As part of our investigation, we are reviewing activities of the U.S. Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy, the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with regard to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
The Com.mittee has jurisdiction over the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund), and public health. To aid our investigation of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune and to gain a more complete understanding of the Navy’s handling of claims arising from the contamination, please provide a copy of the 1999 memorandum pertaining to the Camp Lejeune contamination and potential liability identified by Captain Howell Dronberger and Commander Anne Fischer in conversations with Committee staff earlier today. Please provide an unredacted copy of this document to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Room 316 Ford House Office Building, as soon as possible, but no later than close of business on Monday, June 11,2007. The copy may be transmitted electronically to John Arlington, Senior Investigative Counsel for the Committee, at john.ar1ingtonmail.house.gov.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact us or have your staff contact John Arlington at (202) 226-2424 or Joanne Royce at (202) 225-8077.
Jun 07 The Honorable John D. Dingell Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce U.S. House of Representatives Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-6143
Dear Congressman Dingell:
This responds to your June 7, 2007 request for copies of all the documents listed in the “Vaughn” Index regarding water contamination at Camp Lejeune. These materials are privileged attorney-client communications and attorney work product. However, the Department of Defense General Counsel’s Office has directed us to disclose these documents to the Committee despite the privilege. I have attached the requested documents.
JOHN 0. DINGELL, MICHIGAN CHAIRMAN June 7, 2007 J. DENNIS HASTERT, ILLINOIS FRED UPTON. MICHIGAN CLIEF STEARNS. FLORIDA NATHAN DEAL. GEORGIA EDWHITFIELD. KENTUCKY BARB AR A CUB IN. WYOMINY JOHN SHIMKUS. ILLINOIS HSATHER WILSON. NEW MEXICO JOHN B. SHADEEG. ARIZONA CHARLES W, 'CHIP’ PICKERING, MISSISSIPPI VITO FOSSELLA, NEW YORK STEVE BUYER, INDIANA GEORGE RADANOMCH, CALIFORNIA JOSEPH R. PITTS, PENNSYLVANIA MARY BOND. CALIFORNIA GREG WALDEN, OREGON LEE TERRY, NEBRASKA MIKE FERGUSON, NEW JERSEY MIKE ROGLRS. MICHIGAN SUB MYRICK. NORINCAMOLINA JOHN SULLIVAN. OKLAHOMA TIM MURPHY. FENNBYLVANIA MICHAEL C- BURGESS,TFXAS MARSHA BLACKBURN. TENNESSEE
The Honorable Donald C. Winter
Secretary of the Navy 1000 Navy Pentagon Washington, D.C. 20350-1000
Dear Secretary Winter:
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is investigating issues arising from drinking water contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. As a result of the contamination, Camp Lejeune was placed on the National Priorities List in 1989. As part of our investigation, Committee staff are reviewing activities of the U.S. Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy, the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with regard to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
The Committee has jurisdiction over the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund), and public health. To aid our investigation of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune and to gain a fuller understanding of the events leading up to the discovery of the contamination and the Federal response after the contamination was discovered, the Committee would like to review copies of all of the documents listed on the Vaughn Index (attached). Please provide unredacted copies of these documents to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, room 316 Ford House Office Building, as soon as possible, but no later than close of business on Friday, June 8, 2007.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact us or have your staff contact John Arlington at (202) 226-2424 or Joanne Royce at (202) 225-8077.
Sincerely,
JOHN D. DINGELL CHAIRMAN
JOHN D. DINGELL MICHIGAN CHAIRMAN
June 11,2007
J. DENNIS H.ASIERT. ILLINOIS FRED UPTON. MICHIGAN CLIFF STEARNS, FLORIDA NATHAN DEAL GEORGIA ED WHITFIELD, KENTUCKY BARBARA CUBIN, WYOMING JOHN SHIMKUS, ILLINOIS HEATHER WILSON, NEW MEXICO JOHN B. SNADEGG, ARIZONA CHARLES W. ‘CHIP’ PICKERING, MISSISSIPPI VITO FOSSELLA, NEW YORK STEVE BUYER, INDIANA GEORGE RADANOOVICH, CALIFORNIA JOSEPH R. PITTS, PENNSYLVANIA MARY BONO, CALIFORNIA GREG WALDEN, OREGON LEE TERRY, NEBRASKA MIKE FERGUSON, NEW JERSEY MIKE ROGERS, MICHIGAN SUE MYRICK, NORTH CAROLINA JOHN SULLIVAN, OKLAHOMA TIM MURPHY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL C. BURGESS,TEXAS MARSHA BLACKBURN, TENNESSEE
Dear Secretary Winter:
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is investigating issues arising from drinking water contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
As a result of the contamination, Camp Lejeune was placed on the National Priorities List in 1989. As part of our investigation, we are reviewing activities of the U.S. Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy, the Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with regard to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
The Com.mittee has jurisdiction over the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund), and public health. To aid our investigation of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune and to gain a more complete understanding of the Navy’s handling of claims arising from the contamination, please provide a copy of the 1999 memorandum pertaining to the Camp Lejeune contamination and potential liability identified by Captain Howell Dronberger and Commander Anne Fischer in conversations with Committee staff earlier today. Please provide an unredacted copy of this document to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Room 316 Ford House Office Building, as soon as possible, but no later than close of business on Monday, June 11,2007. The copy may be transmitted electronically to John Arlington, Senior Investigative Counsel for the Committee, at john.ar1ingtonmail.house.gov.
If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact us or have your staff contact John Arlington at (202) 226-2424 or Joanne Royce at (202) 225-8077.
Sincerely, JOHN D. DINGELL CHAIRMAN
11 Jun 07
The Honorable John D. Dingell Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce U.S. House of Representatives Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-6143
Dear Congressman Dingell:
This responds to your June 7, 2007 request for copies of all the documents listed in the “Vaughn” Index regarding water contamination at Camp Lejeune. These materials are privileged attorney-client communications and attorney work product. However, the Department of Defense General Counsel’s Office has directed us to disclose these documents to the Committee despite the privilege. I have attached the requested documents.
These documents are produced with a full reservation of rights and with the understanding and intent this production shall not be deemed a waiver of the Department’s rights to assert any applicable privilege or exemption, with respect to any information contained in any document in connection with any existing or subsequent litigation or request for such information by any party.
We respectfully request that the information provided in these documents be shared only within the Committee and then, only with those who have an official need for the information, that the information not be disclosed outside the Committee or to the public, that appropriate steps be taken to safeguard all privileged information and information exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, and that the documents be destroyed or returned to the Department of Defense after Committee use.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Garrett Ressing at (703) 692-1764 or LtCol Michael Tencate at (703) 614-2150.
Sincerely,
Robert D. Hogue
Counsel for the Commandant
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