HANOI, October 1, 2009 -- The United States Government today announced a $1.69 million environmental remediation project to support Vietnam in addressing Agent Orange/dioxin contamination at the Danang Airport.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded a contract to CDM International to implement the "Environmental Remediation at Danang Airport: Assessments and Engineering Plans and Design" project. The project will lay the groundwork for dioxin containment. Under this project, the Government of Vietnam and USAID will conduct an environmental impact assessment and will develop engineering designs, specifications, and plans. The project will work together with the Government of Vietnam on a detailed implementation approach.

The project is expected to be completed within a year, and project results will inform subsequent efforts to construct a secure landfill and remove contaminated soil and sediment from hotspot areas and contain them in the landfill.

With this award, the U.S. Government has committed more than two-thirds of the $6 million of Congressional funding it has received for Agent Orange/Dioxin environmental remediation and health activities.

Since 2001, the United States and Vietnam have worked in concert to solve issues related to dioxin contamination resulting from use of the defoliant Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

In early 2009, the Government of Vietnam, the U.S. Government, and other donors reached a consensus on a clean-up approach to address dioxin contamination. The approach's first phase involves removal and containment of dioxin contaminated soil and sediment in secure landfills to eliminate any further human and environmental exposure. The second phase will focus on the longer term goal of dioxin destruction, which requires more testing before a final remedy can be selected.