To require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a feasibility study on the removal of oil from sunken World War II vessels in waters near the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau.

SA 3015, submitted by Ms. Hirono, aims to add a new section to bill S. 2296 regarding a feasibility study on removing oil from sunken World War II vessels. These vessels are located in the waters near the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia.

The purpose of this amendment is to address an environmental threat from sunken Japanese warships, including three oil tankers. These ships hold an estimated 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 gallons of oil. The amendment notes that as these ships deteriorate, leaking oil threatens the marine ecosystem, surrounding communities, and United States military activities.

The amendment requires the Secretary of Defense to:

• Conduct a study on whether it is feasible and advisable to remove the oil, analyzing the costs, logistical requirements, environmental risks, and removal methods.
• Submit a report to Congress by March 1, 2026.

The required report must include:

• An assessment of current leakage and the risks of a major spill.
• An evaluation of technical approaches, logistical challenges, and costs for extracting or containing the oil.
• A review of planned and ongoing efforts by international partners and the United States.
• Recommendations for timelines, resource needs, and cooperation between agencies and international partners.