Environmental Division

Q. Where can I find information about daily air quality conditions in the local area?

A. The daily air quality conditions for Iwakuni, Japan can be found at the web link below.

http://aqicn.org/city/japan/iwakunishi/marifushogakko/

Q. What air pollution sources do we have at MCAS Iwakuni?

Air pollution sources on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni include incinerators, steam plants, ozone depleting substances (ODS), painting operations and vehicle emissions.
Air pollution can be a threat to human health and the environment. 

Air pollutants can cause damage to trees, lakes, crops, and animals, as well as damage the ozone layer. Air pollution also can cause and intensify haze, reducing visibility for vehicle and air traffic.

Q. Is the water on our installation safe to drink?

A. MCAS Iwakuni meets all Japan Environmental Governing Standards (JEGS) and drinking water health standards. The most recent Consumer Confidence Report can be found in the WATER PROGRAM drop-down under ENVIRONMENTAL MENU.

Q. What is the source of MCAS Iwakuni’s drinking water?

A. MCAS Iwakuni purchases water treated at the Nishimi Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and distributed by the Iwakuni City Water Works Bureau. The drinking water is treated at the Nishimi WTP and is delivered to MCAS Iwakuni which originates from the Nishiki River, a surface water source in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The Nishiki River is the longest river in the prefecture and drains into the Seto Inland Sea.

Q: What are the immediate response actions to a spill?

A: Upon discovering or causing a spill, the individual should take these immediate actions (but only if properly trained):

Tell someone around you to call MCAS Iwakuni Emergency Dispatch Center (EDC) and report the spill at: 119 or 911. If you are able to, or have the training to stop the spill, then let someone else make the call, you focus on the following actions:

• Shutdown all appropriate valves and/or pumps

• Restrict all ignition sources and activate/deploy available spill control devices

• Notify immediate supervisor or others working nearby, and if required, evacuate the area immediately and move to a location upwind of the spill if possible

• Aid any exposed personnel by assisting in safely removing them from the spill area and requesting medical assistance if needed

• Secure storm drains and/or waterway entries with covers, booms, or diversion barriers

Q: What kind of report do I need to file for a spill?

A: Personnel are required to submit an “OHS After Action Spill Report Form” for all reportable spills.

When filling out this form, personnel should be as detailed as possible in describing who was involved, what happened, when it happened or was spotted, where the spill is located, a detailed list of what was done to stop and/or contain the spill, what supplies were used and how many, how was the spill cleaned up, etc. Do NOT simply list the most basic information and leave it at that. This information is important for future spill prevention and is often briefed to higher levels. So please be specific and detailed.

Q: What kind of spills do I need to report to 911?

A: Any spill of POL/HazMat that is:

• Greater than 5 gallons in volume, or

• Larger than 15 feet in diameter, or

• Any substance of any amount that reaches, or may reach, soil, a storm drain, canal, ditch, or open water, or

• Any POL or HazMat spill that exceeds the spillers training or capability to safely respond and contain the spill.

Spills smaller than the amounts shown above, or that are within hangar bays or areas that already maintain secondary containment, are considered “Contained Releases”. These are “Operational Spills” and do not need to be reported to 911.

Regardless, however, ALL spills MUST be contained and cleaned up immediately without hesitation.

Q. Where do units/organization take their unwanted hazardous material?

A. If the HazMat has been opened/used and/or expired, then it needs to be double bagged in clear plastic bags and placed inside the unit’s HWAP with corresponding SDS for disposal. HazMin Center will not take back anything that is open/used or expired.

Please refer to the PDF for Solid Waste Program.

Q. Are there any cultural / historic sites on base?

A. Yes. There are four historic sites: the building 360, Zero Hanger, 1st MAW Vietnam War Memorial and Yuhi monument. There are no known archaeological resources present on base.

Q. There is a dead animal. Who do I contact?

A. Contact PMO Desk Sgt at 253-3303. If in the Airfield, contact Airfield Operations at 253-3553.

Q. There are dead fish in Penny Lake or North/South retention ponds. What do I do?

A. Please contact Facilities Trouble Desk at 253-3131.

Q. I found a white snake. What do I do?

A. Nothing. Please do not disturb. Iwakuni white snakes are designated as national treasure. Capturing or keeping as a pet is prohibited by the law.

Q. Are there any endangered or threatened species on the installation?

A. MCAS Iwakuni has no known "Japan Natural Monument" species, although some birds on the Japan Environmental Governing Standard (JEGS) list (Threatened and Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora in Japan)  have been observed transiting  through the air station during migratory season. Some "Government of Japan (GOJ)-Protected" ("Red Data Book")  insects and plants have been identified during 2017 survey. However there are no immediate impact on any units or operations on the installation.

Q. Who do I contact if I want to report Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) or see abnormal bird activities in or near the Airfield?

A. Contact Base Operations at 253-3553.

Q. I see small mammals look like a raccoon on base. What are they?

A. They are called "Tanuki", Japanese raccoon dog. They are cute and may seem tame, but please do not feed them. They have caused damages on equipment by chewing on wires, and also have caused BASH issues by getting hit by vehicles and aircraft in the Airfield.

Q: What kind of tanks do we have on base?

A: MCAS Iwakuni currently has two primary types of tanks used across the installation – Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST’s) and Underground Storage Tanks (UST’s).

Q: What are the concrete barriers for under the tanks, what purpose do they serve, and what do I do if I find one full of water?

A: The majority of tanks readily seen across the base are AST’s typically found within a concrete barrier used as a type of “Spill Prevention Countermeasure” called a “Secondary Containment”. This Secondary Containment area is for safety, and they are designed purposely to hold the entire volume of all liquids stored in the tank, plus an additional 10%, should a tank fail and its contents spill out. This Secondary Containment area is designed to hold and contain liquids and prevent them from flowing out into the open environment, which means many times people will find standing rain water inside this area. Standing rain water is a problem because it takes up volume within the containment area, and if a tank ever failed, the water would displace the total volume needed to contain the leak, thus allowing the leaked fluids to potentially spill over into the open environment. If you see an AST with its Secondary Containment Area full of water – even a few inches – please contact the owner of the tank (typically listed on the tanks Identification Sign) as soon as able to inform them that it needs to be drained.

Q: What is the proper drainage procedure for AST Secondary Containments, and why can’t we just let the water drain out by itself all the time?

A: Due to Spill Prevention regulations, water inside this space should never be allowed to flow freely and unsupervised out if the containment area. The purpose of the Secondary Containment area is to protect the environment from a POL spill. If the tank is “leaking”, and the water drained freely and unsupervised, no one would ever know it was leaking. Before long, the tank would be empty, the POL would have contaminated the soil and waters of Japan, and in the event we needed the tank for an emergency, we would only then discover the contents missing and the emergency now worse. Therefore, draining standing rain water from within AST Secondary Containment areas must be a controlled and supervised event, and may only occur after inspecting the water for the presence of a POL “sheen” first. This is the responsibility of the tank owner and can only be accomplished by a properly trained individual.

Any questions regarding training should be referred to the sharepoint page.

Q. What is the QRP?

A. “QRP” stands for the “Qualified Recycling Program”. Its main purpose is to collect and process recyclable materials generated from residents and contractors on MCAS Iwakuni and turn these items into revenue for Marine Welfare and Recreation (MWR) projects.

Q. Where is the Recycling Center and what are the business hours?

A. The MCAS Iwakuni Recycle Center is located at building #7725 near the North Gate Gym. Recycle Center working hours are now Mon-Wed, Fri 0800-1500, and Thu 0900-1500, listed on both Main Base and Atago Garbage Separation Guides.

All unit Recyclables will be turned in by APPOINTMENT ONLY.

Q. What materials does the Recycle Center Process?

A. The Recycle Center currently collects and processes the following items:

• Corrugated Cardboard

• Aluminum/Steel Cans

• Paper

• Magazines/Newspapers

• Scrap Metal

• Clothes

• Soft Plastics

• Cooking Oil

*There is a 24-hour drop-off site for the following items: Paper, Corrugated Cardboard, and Aluminum/Steel Cans.