By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

THE U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined the Guam Waterworks Authority $1,450 for oil spill prevention violations at its Fujita Pump Station in Tumon.
According to EPA, GWA still needs to develop a comprehensive spill prevention plan and implement procedures to prevent oil spills.
Norwood Scott, technical advisor for the EPA Pacific Southwest Region’s Pacific Islands Office, said it is critical that facilities such as GWA take the measures needed to prevent contaminating the environment.
“Delicate coral reef ecosystems, marine species, and tourism are easily harmed by oil spills that could be prevented with proper planning and spill containment,” Scott said in a news release.
In November, the EPA found that GWA failed to comply with the following federal spill prevention requirements:
* Having a comprehensive spill prevention plan;
* Implementing adequate facility security measures;
* Having records of drainage events from diked areas; and
* Testing the integrity of the petroleum tank and piping.
GWA has 30 days to pay the fine and correct the violations to avoid additional penalties of up to $11,000 per day per violation.
The Fujita Pump Station is less than a quarter mile from Tumon Bay, the island’s number one tourist attraction, and operates an 8,000-gallon diesel aboveground storage container.
GWA has identified over 90 other facilities that may be required to meet local and/or federal oil spill prevention requirements.
According to the EPA, oil spills and other contamination from onshore sources can pollute and harm coral and marine life.
The EPA requires near shore oil storage facilities to have their spill prevention plans and measures in place to prevent oil from being discharged into the ocean.