Two officials from the US Army Corps of Engineers spent a week in the territory to gather more information about contamination of the ground in Aua from oil seepage dating back to the days of the US marines.
The marines used to have fuel storage tanks in the area and underground lines carried the fuel from the depot to the canneries.
Recently the US Army Corps of Engineers declined a request from the American Samoa Power Authority to provide funding assistance for a sewerline project in Aua as its ASPA’s contention that the oil seepage from the naval fuel tanks imposes extra mitigation costs for any project in the area.
Congresswoman Aumua Amata held discussions in Honolulu with the US Army Corps to try and get them to change their mind and provide mitigation funding as ASPA requested.
Mr. Derrick Chow, the Chief of Civil and Public Programs for the Corps of Engineers and a colleague, and John Hosaka arrived Monday night and have held various meetings and inspected the Aua site.
Chow said they collected more information that would help the US Army Corps of Engineers Commander Lt. Colonel James Hoyman make a decision on the funding issue.
They met with Lt Governor Lemanu, ASPA officials and staff of Congresswoman Aumua Amata.
Other than the Aua oil seepage, the Army Corps officials also looked at a damaged breakwater in Aunuu that needs repairs.
Chow said their visit and meetings were successful and they gathered information that will be considered in the decision of whether Corps funding will be made available.
