Marine Corps holds open house at Puuloa Range to show how it will handle erosion…
How Marine Corps Base Hawaii is Tackling Erosion and Contamination to Keep Communities Safe
Protecting the Shoreline: A Military and Community Effort
Marine Corps Base Hawaii is taking action to solve two serious problems at its Puuloa Range Training Facility: shoreline erosion and heavy metal contamination. To help the public understand these efforts, the base recently held an open house, where Commanding Officer Col. Jeremy Beaven explained the challenges they face. He pointed out how the ocean’s rising waters are slowly eating away the land near the range, making it necessary to move an old pistol range further inland.
“We will tear down the old range and turn the area into open land,” Col. Beaven shared. He assured the community that the range won’t be rebuilt on the eroding shoreline. To protect the area long-term, the military is studying ocean wave patterns to find solutions that can prevent further erosion.
Community Voices Their Concerns
State representative Julie Reyes Oda joined the open house to express the community’s worries. She explained that erosion is only one of many concerns. Residents are also worried about noise from the range and possible lead contamination from the bullets used during training.
Oda emphasized the importance of the military’s commitment, saying, “Protecting both the environment and the people who live here is essential.”
Heavy Metal Contamination and Health Risks
Recent tests revealed that soil behind the firing berms at Puuloa Range contains elevated levels of heavy metals like lead. The Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command studied how this might affect human health. Environmental engineer Chris Waldron explained that their study was cautious and assumed someone would be on the beach for eight hours a week over 26 years. He said it would take a long time for the contamination to pose a real threat, but the Hawaii Department of Health has still recommended installing groundwater monitoring wells.
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Residents Demand More Action
Local community members, such as Ewa Beach Neighborhood Board member Mike Plowman, feel that more needs to be done. Plowman raised concerns that homes and fish populations nearby haven’t been tested. He also shared his experience of finding bullet fragments on the beach, raising questions about the safety of the area.
“I’ve seen bullet fragments myself, which means they can escape the range,” Plowman stated, highlighting the need for more thorough testing.
A Commitment to Safety
The Puuloa Range is vital for training about 4,000 Marines each year, along with law enforcement officers. However, Col. Beaven assured the public that the military is working closely with the Department of Health to determine the next steps for testing and monitoring the area. The goal is to keep both the environment and the community safe while ensuring the range can continue to serve its important training role.
This open house and ongoing dialogue between the military and the community are vital steps toward ensuring safety and environmental protection for everyone involved.
