Vietnam, US complete environmental remediation project at Da Nang airport

Wednesday, 07/11/2018 11:22
(CPV) - Vice Minister of National Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh and US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink on November 7th, 2018 witnessed the signing of an agreement to hand over 13.7 hectares of remediated land at the Da Nang International Airport to the control of the Ministry of Transportation.

This is the third and last portion of land to be turned over for expansion of Da Nang airport, marking the completion of the six-year, USD110 million environmental remediation of dioxin contamination at Da Nang airport project, jointly implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Vietnam Ministry of National Defence (MND).

Launched in August 2012, it serves as an important milestone in the bilateral relationship and will result in a cleaner, safer environment for the people of Da Nang. So far, the project has successfully treated over 90,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil and sediment through thermal desorption and safely contained an additional 50,000 cubic meters of low concentration, dioxin-contaminated material. 



Photos: ATP
The two sides also tested the treated soil and sediment to determine if the cleanup objective of 150 parts per trillion (ppt) was achieved. Phase 1 treated soil was less than 9 ppt and Phase 2 even lower (<1 ppt), exceeding all project goals.

The successful efforts with Vietnam's Air Defense-Air Force Command have resulted in over 30 hectares of additional land for expansion of Da Nang airport, which will drive regional economic growth.

The US is committed to working with Vietnam and MND to resolve war legacies while continuing to strengthen the economic, cultural, and security ties between the two countries. The Southern Dong Nai province’s Bien Hoa air-base area is the largest remaining hotspot of dioxin contamination in the nation.

On May 11th, USAID signed a grant with Vietnam's Air Defense-Air Force Command for a total expected contribution of USD183 million towards remediation activities in the Bien Hoa air-base area over an initial five-year period.

The US has worked with Vietnam to resolve humanitarian and wartime legacy issues since 2000, including the removal of unexploded ordinance, the identification of remains of missing personnel, and the remediation of dioxin./.

ATP

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