The EPA announced today at a press conference that they have signed off on the Oriskany. She's good to go down. Here's the statement from the EPA
ex-Oriskany Artificial Reef Project Status Report
February 15, 2006
Jon Dodrill, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (ph. 850.922.4340 x 209)
At 1215 hrs February 15, 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency held a press conference to announce its release of a finalized and signed PCB Risk Based Disposal Permit authorizing the ex-Oriskany to be sunk as an artificial reef for fishing and diving off Pensacola, Florida in May 2006.
Copies of the EPA’s project approval letter, and the EPA’s response to public comments letter can be found on the EPA’s PCB website at:
http://www.epa.gov/Region4/air/lead/PCBWebPage.htm
Based on the schedule put forth by the Navy on February, 8, 2006 during a Navy planning meeting at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, the vessel will be towed from Beaumont, Texas to Pensacola Naval Air Station beginning March 2 and arriving March 8, 2006. Pre sinking preparations, ceremonies, etc place the sink date of the vessel on or around May 17, with a two week buffer (up to June 1, 2006) factored in.
In the news briefing a couple key points EPA reiterated:
· EPA would not have authorized sinking of this vessel if they felt, after review of all studies and available information, EPA felt there was an unreasonable risk of human health or the environment. Monitoring by FWC and Escambia County will be required, however and if there are any changes in PCB levels in fish species targeted for consumption that would exceed established EPA health limits guidelines, coordination with DOH would be required to issue a fish health advisory for the site. EPA believes this is not likely.
· EPA emphasized that this is not a blanket permit covering other military vessels to be sunk as artificial reefs. It is a permit issued indefinitely specific applicable only to the Oriskany at the site it is to be sunk.
FWC ongoing responsibilities include:
1. Working on finalization of a pre and post sinking fish tissue analysis monitoring plan to satisfy EPA human health monitoring requirements as specified in the risk based disposal approval.
2. Reaching consensus among FWC and Navy attorneys on final wording of Oriskany Title Transfer Agreement
3. Developing and integrating an FWC security assistance plan covering the window of final offshore tow from naval base to sink site, anchoring, sinking, and 48 hrs post sinking security. Provide the necessary manpower and funds to support this effort.
4. Working with Escambia County to buoy the sink site prior to vessel arrival and anchoring.
5. Providing input on/support of a marine mammal/marine sea turtle observer effort prior to detonation of internal explosives that will cut the 22 valves/pipes necessary to flood the ship over a five hour period.
6. Working with Escambia County to provide necessary outreach to dive shops/media emphasizing importance of diver safety and that vessel will not be accessible to recreational diving until 48 hours post deployment.
7. Assisting Escambia County in the collection of fishes for tissue analysis, pre- and post sinking.
Published - February, 15, 2006, Pensacola New Journal
EPA gives Oriskany OK
From staff reports
The U.S. Navy announced today that the Environmental Protection Agency has given its approval for the Oriskany reefing project.
The risk-based polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) disposal approval was issued based on EPA’s findings that the disposal action will not pose an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.
This allows the Navy to sink the Oriskany, a Korean War and Vietnam War era aircraft carrier, in May 2006 at an artificial reef site approximately 24 miles off the coast of Pensacola.
The 32,000-ton and 888-foot long Oriskany will become the largest ship intentionally sunk as an artificial reef and will benefit marine life, sport fishing and recreational diving off the Panhandle coast.
A 2004 Florida State University study estimated Escambia County would see $92 million a year in economic benefits from an artificial reef.
The Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is planning a ceremony for veterans of the Oriskany in conjunction with the planned scuttling of the ship as an artificial reef.
http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060215/NEWS01/60215002
