Chem Demil Update

Here's a tale of two cities, Hermiston, Oregon, and Pine Bluff, Arkansas. It's the worst of times for Hermiston - a judge denied the local environmental activists their bid to stop the Army from incinerating mustard agent.

The petitioners feel that the burning of mustard agent is harmful to the environment and the people who live near the depot, where the chemical agent disposal facility is located. The unknown levels of mercury in the mustard when burned and released into the atmosphere is risky, GAP said.

"We're asking the court to stop the burning, which we believe poses a serious health threat to citizens of Oregon and Washington state," GAP Senior Counsel Richard Condit said.

According to GAP, unlike the chemical disposal plants with this type of mustard agent, the quantities of hazardous wastes in the ton containers stored at the depot - 63 percent by weight of all stockpiled munitions - have never been determined because "the EQC (Environmental Quality Commission) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have refused to require testing of each of the ton containers."

DEQ is requiring the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility to sample 120 ton containers, said Bob Dikeman, project general manager for Washington Defense Group, the contractor for the facility.

It's a bitch when you find out that the Army is actually doing everything safe and legal and there's nothing your Luddite ideology can do to stop it. I weep for the poor GAPpers. Meanwhile, in Pine Bluff, it's the best of times. In fact, the local community, who actually LIKES the Army, supports speeding up the disposal process.

Stu Soffer, a member of the arsenal’s Citizens Advisory Commission, commented on “the high level of confidence we have” in those involved in the burn. They include ADEQ, the U.S. Army and the contractor hired for disposal, Washington Defense Group, EG&G Division of URS Corp.

“We’ve got the highest regard for their ability,” he said, adding, “I believe the community also has the same high degree of confidence. I think that confidence is evident here tonight.”

Soffer predicted at last month’s commission meeting that “there’s not going to be anybody at White Hall City Hall for the public hearing.”

Several commissioners commented on how the facility here had not received the kind of public opposition as other disposal sites have.

Same agent, same incineration process at both facilities. It's a funny world, but fortunately the Army is cruising along with its chemical demilitarization program - except for the ACWA project that is inching forward in Kentucky and Colorado. But that's on Mitch McConnell.