JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. —
The Joint Base Andrews environmental team continues to work closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) on ongoing fuel spill response efforts since first notifying these regulatory agencies on March 23, 2026.
“We take this fuel release seriously,” said Col. Jun Oh, Joint Base Andrews Installation Commander. “We strive to be good stewards of the environment as members of this community and continue to partner with MDE on containment and spill response operations. The team at Joint Base Andrews is conducting a thorough review to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.”
Following identification and immediate reporting of the fuel release to the EPA, MDE and the National Response Center on March 23, base engineers deployed absorbent booms in Piscataway Creek. Concurrently, the base coordinated with the contracted remediation company Clean Harbors to implement containment systems along the creek and surface water outfalls from Joint Base Andrews. The Clean Harbors containment systems were installed on March 26.
Out of an abundance of caution, and in response to feedback from MDE, an even more robust containment measure was employed on April 15 and a second system is under design to ensure all fuel remains contained on the installation. The enhanced measures, which include larger, more rigid booms built for deeper waterways and the addition of a second underflow dam, exceed industry standards for a waterway of this size. The new booms were put in place on April 15, and the dam placement is scheduled for April 18.
Additionally, on April 15, base environmental personnel conducted testing in Piscataway Creek, approximately two miles downstream from the suspected release location, to confirm that existing containment measures remain effective. Personnel obtained samples of stream water for visual inspection and used a photoionization detector (PID) to test for volatile organic compounds, which can indicate the presence of fuel. Visual observation did not indicate the presence of fuel, and soil and surface PID testing did not produce results consistent with fuel contamination.
“The additional containment measures we've implemented are a testament to our commitment to a robust and effective response. We are leveraging every available resource, in close coordination with state and federal agencies, to protect our local waterways and see this process through to a successful resolution,” said Oh.
Joint Base Andrews has identified and isolated the source of the leak, shut down the affected fuel system, drained the pipeline, and stopped the active leak. However, the installation is still investigating the specific cause of the leak. Base personnel continue to work closely with MDE and the Defense Logistics Agency on a plan to conduct testing to pinpoint the exact location of the leak before repairs begin. Joint Base Andrews will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available and as regulatory milestones are met.
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