Army depot cited, faces criminal investigation

Associated Press

RICHMOND, Ky. -- The Blue Grass Army Depot was cited four times by the state, and two complaints about the facility have been sent to criminal investigators.

The Kentucky Division of Waste Management cited the depot for failing to "characterize" waste (properly preparing it for disposal or transportation), improper storage that resulted in the cracking of a rocket shipping and firing tube, failure to properly train employees to prevent chemical releases and an inadequate refresher training program.

In a report issued last week, the department said parts of its investigation of the depot are of a "potentially criminal nature."

State investigators said those areas include an alleged cover-up of employee exposure to harmful levels of a chemical agent, signature inconsistencies in monitoring logs and the demotion of an employee who refused to sign off on a standard operating procedure.

The complaints were sent to the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet's Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Investigation Division.

The report addressed 40 allegations of improper procedures at the depot. The Department for Environmental Protection found many of the complaints unmerited, unverifiable or outside the department's jurisdiction.

Army spokesman Dave Easter said the violations were an administrative issue. He said the depot has been aware of the inspections, which began in September 2006, and has been in communication with the state. A formal response will be filed in the next 30 days, he said.

"The folks at the depot are doing everything they can to not harm the community," Easter said.

The report got the attention of public advocacy groups that monitor the depot.

Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said it's troubling that the Department of Environmental Protection didn't address some of the allegations. Ruch said he was also concerned with the inadequate training for employees.

"They have to make split-second decisions about events that occur that may put the staff at Blue Grass at risk, as well as the surrounding communities," he said.

Craig Williams, director of the Chemical Weapons Working Group, said the number of allegations that have been referred to criminal investigative authorities "are cause for great concern."