On the Record - Camp Lejeune Water

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8 Mar 10

Associated Press Editor

RE: 17 FEBRUARY 2010 ARTICLE REGARDING CAMP LEJEUNE, NC

Editor:

      We were disappointed to see that the Associated Press (AP) article written by Kevin Maurer on February 17, 2010 regarding past water contamination at Camp Lejeune, NC contained many inaccuracies that will likely confuse an already complex issue. The article contained factual and contextual errors, and drew erroneous conclusions that are not supported by the record and may lead people to doubt the current safety of the drinking water at Camp Lejeune. I want to assure your readers, without any reservation, that the drinking water at Camp Lejeune is safe. We have, and will continue to comply with all Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements. Additionally, I would like to correct the article’s most significant inaccuracies to ensure that all of your readers have the most accurate and reliable information.

      First, Mr. Maurer’s article indicated that benzene contamination in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water wells has worsened since 1984. This allegation is completely inaccurate. Routine sampling for benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), as required by the SDWA, has been ongoing at Camp Lejeune since 1987 and the results are part of the public record. Benzene has not been detected in current drinking water at Camp Lejeune. These facts are beyond dispute and could have easily been confirmed by Mr. Maurer. Recent elevated benzene concentrations referenced by Mr. Maurer were actually from environmental cleanup program monitoring wells. Water from these wells is not used for drinking water purposes.

      Secondly, Mr. Maurer also alleged that a well contaminated with benzene was left functioning for five months after a sample discovered contamination. While it is true that benzene was discovered during testing of a drinking water well in 1984, that well was immediately taken out of service when the laboratory informed Camp Lejeune officials of the findings. To suggest that contaminated wells continued to operate into the late
1980’s and early 1990s as a source of tap water is simply inaccurate.

      Lastly, Mr. Maurer alleged that benzene data was intentionally downplayed in contractor reports and then entirely omitted from a 1994 report as Camp Lejeune prepared for a health assessment by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Although there were errors in text sections of a few reports, these errors appear to be the result of an unintentional transcription error, and not an intentional misrepresentation of the original data. The correct data for this sample is included prominently in several other contemporaneous public reports, including the 1994 report referenced by Mr. Maurer. This 1994 report does discuss benzene and does contain the correct benzene data1. Finally, the reports used and referenced by ATSDR for their health assessment at Camp Lejeune contained the correct benzene data as well2,3. There is no factual basis to suggest, as Mr. Maurer did, that the transcription errors were purposeful efforts to hide this testing result.

      We receive phone calls, emails, and letters from our Marines and their families daily. Many are confused, scared, or angry. I would appreciate your assistance in correcting the record on these points to your readers as we all seek to provide them the most accurate and reliable information on this topic. In our view, Mr. Maurer’s article is a profound disservice to the officials who are responsible for public health, our Marines and Sailors, and the general public. Former residents should visit www.usmc.mil/clwater or call our dedicated hotline at 1-877-261-9782 to register to receive more information.

Semper fidelis,

                 E. G. PAYNE
                               Major General, USMC
                                             Assistant Deputy Commandant
                                                    Installations and Logistics (Facilities)

1. FINAL REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT OPERABLE UNIT No. 1 (Sites 21, 24 and 78), June 1994; Page 1-26; http://www.bakerenv.com/camplejeune_irp
2. SITE SUMMARY REPORT FINAL (ESE), September 1990; Pages 3-55, 3-56 & 3-57; http://www.bakerenv.com/camplejeune_irp
3. 00258 - CHARACTERIZATION STEP REPORT FOR HADNOT POINT INDUSTRIAL AREA, May 1988; Page 2-6; http://www.bakerenv.com/camplejeune_irp