ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (Army News Service, March 13, 2007) -
The Army announced yesterday the completion of all requirements to
close the Aberdeen Chemical Agent Disposal Facility. The command
neutralized 1,623 tons of mustard agent, decontaminated and disposed of
the steel containers used to hold the agent, and demolished buildings
used during the disposal process.
"Today marks a significant achievement in the global chemical weapons
disarmament effort. ABCDF is the first chemical weapons disposal
facility in the continental U.S. to destroy its stockpile and
decontaminate and demolish its plant," said Dale Ormond, Army Chemical
Materials Agency acting director. "It is a model for all the other
facilities that will follow suit."
The site has fewer buildings since the ton container cleanout facility
and process neutralization building, the two structures dedicated to
agent destruction activities, were demolished. Auxiliary buildings,
such as the medical infirmary and administrative trailers have also
been removed. In addition, all waste generated from closure has been
decontaminated and disposed.
"Safety has always been the cornerstone of our project. We built,
operated and now closed this facility with safety as the first
priority. The fact that our safety record during closure is on par with
banking institutions is testament to this," said Brian O\'Donnell,
ABCDF site project manager.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permit issued by the
state will take an additional few months to achieve before full
closure. RCRA governs the construction, operation and closure of
hazardous waste storage, treatment and disposal facilities. Since ABCDF
is located on APG, its property and structures will remain under Army
control after closure. Some of the equipment at ABCDF may be used at
another CMA or government facility. The site will be re-used by APG.
Remaining disposal facilities are located in Anniston, Ala., Pine
Bluff, Ark., Pueblo, Colo., Newport, Ind., Richmond, Ky, Umatilla,
Ore., and Tooele, Utah. ABDCF is the second chemical demilitarization
facility to close. Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System
completed closure operations in November 2000.