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Womenwith Hill Women's Peace Camp[aign],
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4 December 2002 |
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Here's the latest aplication for Menwith Hill developments. This makes 25 in the past year. This is of major concern to people living in the connurbations of Leeds and Otley because the water runs off Menwith Hill into their water supply reservoir. There was a major leak of 5000L diesel oil in 1991 from the adjoining military base, which reached the reservoir. During the three weeks clean-up, Leeds and Otley had to obtain water from another reservoir. In 1992 an unannounced USA Team of Inspectors arrived to investigate the environment at Menwith Hill. We discovered a hand-written note from the Head of the Motor Pool to NSA's Director of Installations enquiring whether they should admit that 13,000L diesel oil was lost underground. As this was not mentioned in their Report 'Environmental Compliance Survey' (which concluded that the conditions in MHS were 'fair to poor') we conclude that it was not mentioned. In 1994 another leak was said to have 'been contained'. Extra oil interceptors have since been installed. The site plans show that the underground storage of liquid petroleum fuel is extensive. The tanks to be replaced are at the Motor Pool (where the station's vehicles are maintained): the AAFES Filling Station: the diesel storage tanks for 'Jetsams' Generators (they generate their own electricity) tanks 1 to 8 are already above ground but 9 to 17 are currently underground; heating fuel storage tanks at the rear of the Commissary, Medical Center, Installations Warehouse Building 42B (this is the only one for which any capacity is recorded: the existing 4000L tank is to be replaced with above ground 16000L - a further suggestion of anticipated increase in demand from increased personnel numbers). The sites are marked in with green/yellow highlighter pen. There are several indeterminate blotches which the Planning Officer confirmed were definitely depicting underground tanks for replacement: these were on the US NSA HQ; on the Commissary; in the Orchid Reserve and the N entrance into the MoD Police Post. The plans state: '...there are no records of existing tank installation'. 'Existing tank and concrete surround to be removed from the ground. Support required to existing foundations should excavation extend below.' 'Tank removal to comply with BS 6187 and Procedure for Underground Storage tank Removal DEO/USF code amendment no 113. (Whatever that is). When the USAF left Greenham Common, the clean-up was left to the UK. The underground storage tanks for the aviation fuel had to be emptied, filled with sand and left for two years. I was also informed that the plans for the PX Store (substantial supermarket) will not go to Planning Committee but be dealt with by a Planning Officer under delegated legislation. Nothing said about the call for Environmental Impact Assessment, Archaeological Impact Assessment nor Public Inquiry. Anne Lee
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