VIPA Reports Fuel Spill and $2.1M in Military-Related Repairs at Rohlsen Airport; Hydrocarbon Contamination Complicates Apron Project

V.I. Port Authority officials told the board Wednesday that military activity at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport has led to about $2.1 million in repair work tied to impacts on airfield pavement, while fuel spills associated with those operations have also required environmental response and monitoring.

During the board meeting, board members asked whether military activity at the airport had been causing issues with the runway or other airfield areas. VIPA responded that it had executed a memorandum of agreement with the military covering operational impacts to airport pavement and said about $2.1 million in repair work had already been completed and submitted for reimbursement.

Officials also said there have been operational concerns involving fuel spills linked to military activity. In one instance, fuel ran into an open excavation associated with construction work. VIPA said environmental monitoring services were brought in to ensure contamination was not spreading, and officials said all cleanup, monitoring, testing and sampling costs tied to such incidents are subject to reimbursement under the memorandum of agreement.

The military-related update came as VIPA also reported that hydrocarbon contamination discovered beneath phase four of the apron rehabilitation project at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport appears more extensive than first anticipated, creating a potential impact on the schedule for full completion of the job.