GAO-07-552R: Vieques cleanup — costs and Navy DERP status

On March 26, 2007, GAO replied to Representative Charles B. Rangel with GAO-07-552R: status and estimated costs of environmental cleanup on Vieques after the naval cessation in 2003. The Navy transferred land to the Municipality, the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust and Interior, but remains responsible under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) — Installation Restoration (hazardous substances) and Military Munitions Response (munitions) — via CERCLA/SARA.

In February 2005, at the governor’s request, EPA listed Vieques on the National Priorities List. Transfers: ~5,000 west acres to Municipality/Trust and ~3,100 to Interior (Apr 2001); ~14,700 east acres to Interior (Apr 2003) for the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge; 900 acres of the live-impact area as wilderness without public access (NDAA FY2002). Access to the rest of the east will be set by Fish and Wildlife Service’s comprehensive conservation plan.

Installation Restoration: 37 sites (17 west, 20 east); 9 proposed for no further action (EPA/EQB technical concurrence; EQB senior deferred public approval); 28 in CERCLA phases. Allocated ~$18.1 million through FY2006; additional estimate ~$15.2 million. Munitions: ~9,000 acres potentially affected in the eastern maneuver area; time-critical action on ~1,100 acres (~290 already surface-cleared; goal to finish ~810 remaining toward 2010). Allocated ~$35.4 million through FY2006; programmed ~$235.3 million more. Estimates may change with investigations and Interior’s reuse plan.

In the west, ~100 acres of surface munitions removal were completed in FY2003; the open burn/open detonation site was to have surface removal in FY2007–08. Obligated/programmed ≠ fully disbursed. Federal cleanup ≠ local litigation. Primary: GAO-07-552R 2007-03-26.

Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-07-552r