Claim #1: The Navy is afraid to engage with the community and does not want to engage with the CRI.
Ground Truth #1: Together with Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, Navy Facilities Engineering Systems Command Hawaii, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), and Navy Closure Task Force – Red Hill (NCTF-RH) the Navy remains an active participant in a range of community venues to include:
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Neighborhood Board Meetings across the island of Oahu
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The Navy Information Sharing Forum (NISF - formerly the Defueling Information Sharing Forum)
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Fuel Tank Advisory Committee (FTAC) Meeting
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Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) Meeting
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the Governor’s Water Committee
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the State House of Representatives Special Committee on Red Hill,
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the Hawaii State Emergency Response Commission (HSERC),
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the Honolulu Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC),
The Navy also holds quarterly open houses for the public, weekly water quality informational booths in neighborhoods connected to the JBPHH water system and meets in informal settings with local leaders to share information and listen to community concerns.
Regarding the CRI – as of May 2024 the Navy has met all guidelines set forth by the 2023 Administrative Consent Order (ACO) regarding the frequency and nature of meetings, emphasizing the importance of coordination among stakeholders.
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Claim #2: The Navy wants to use a mediator to try and dictate how CRI meetings should be run.
Ground Truth #2. The idea for mediation was proposed by Amy Miller, Director, Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, EPA Region 9 at the March 21 CRI. Ms. Miller strongly recommended federal mediation to ensure the CRI is productive and the Navy supported this proposal. The Federal Mediation process mandates specific protocols for engagement and participation, ensuring all parties involved adhere to the established framework for effective communication and resolution.
Similarly, the 2023 Administrative Consent Order (ACO) sets forth guidelines regarding the frequency and nature of CRI meetings, emphasizing the importance of coordination among stakeholders. The Navy expects the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to leverage the Federal Mediation process and the ACO’s stipulation of holding two CRI meetings per quarter with all parties in compliance. This corresponds with the formal requirements and scheduling constraints outlined in both the mediation process and the ACO guidelines.