Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase Area Project Quarterly Report FY21 Third Quarter – Apr. 01 to Jun. 30, 2021

The project is being implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the Air Defence-Air Force Command (ADAFC) and other stakeholders. Major project milestones and events during the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2021 (April 1 to June 30, 2021) include a meeting between USAID and ADAFC with Office 701 on April 28, 2021, at the Bien Hoa Airbase. During the meeting, the A&E Bien Hoa Contractor provided an update on contractors' activities and recent environmental monitoring. USAID described upcoming procurement and project activities, while ADAFC provided contact information for the Ministry of National Defence (MND) contractor who will provide unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance for an additional 21 hectares. UXO clearance was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation this quarter, and the Airbase was closed for about two weeks in compliance with the government decision. All contractors made adjustments as Ho Chi Minh City implemented the Prime Minister's Directive 15 on social distancing starting from the end of May and continuing through the quarter. The MND approved the First Interim Measures (IM1) technical design for the dig and haul and site restoration for the Pacer Ivy (PI) PI-8, PI-10, and PI-13A on May 31, 2021. Through the IM1 Contractor, USAID completed the staging area at PI-02, which was partitioned by pre-cast concrete blocks to store excavated soil temporarily before hauling to one of the designated areas: Low Concentration Storage Area (LCSA), High Concentration Storage Area (HCSA), or Long-Term Storage Area (LTSA). USAID, through the IM1 Contractor and with the support of the A&E Bien Hoa Contractor, started construction of a groundwater de-watering system at Gate 2 Lake Zone 2 (G2L-02) after coordination with Dong Nai Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Dong Nai DONRE). The construction included drilling and installation of groundwater wells, construction of manifold and discharge pipes, installation of an aeration basin, pump capacity testing, and surface water diversion activities from common drainage at the Southeast culvert to the downstream of Gate 2 Lake (G2L) at the Northwest corner. USAID, through the IM1 Contractor and with the support of the A&E Bien Hoa Contractor, also started preparation works for excavation activities in PI-13A, including vegetation removal, surface water diversion, groundwater observation, pre-excavation survey, erosion control, site characterization, and installation of pilot test dewatering well points before finalizing the excavation plan and proceeding with excavation. The A&E Bien Hoa Contractor reached an agreement with Regiment 935 on security arrangements to support IM2 activities at the LTSA and future project activities at the ZT Treatment area. IM2 Contractor installed the guard shacks for the LTSA. USAID and A&E Bien Hoa Contractor prepared and revised technical memoranda on the Project Action Limits (PALs), baselines, and/or monitoring plans for G2L, LTSA, PI, and the other areas around the Airbase. The project schedule and financial status are being closely monitored, with the A&E Bien Hoa Contractor working to ensure that all tasks and deliverables are completed on time and within budget. The project performance indicators, including construction activities and A&E activities, are being tracked and reported on a regular basis. The next quarter of FY 2021 will see the continuation of excavation activities in PI-13A, the completion of the groundwater de-watering system at G2L-02, and the start of construction of the LTSA. The A&E Bien Hoa Contractor will continue to work closely with USAID and other stakeholders to ensure that the project is completed on time and to the required standards.