STOCKTON -- The U.S. Army on Thursday shut down a holding facility for materials contaminated by chemical agents after state regulators issued a critical review of its operation.

Col. Raymond T. Van Pelt ordered the shutdown for the Chemical Agent Munitions Disposal System, located about 1.5 miles south of the Army's chemical-weapons incinerator.

The facility will remain closed for 60 to 90 days while the Army responds to findings of the Utah Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste that were critical of the depot's "operational culture," said Alaine Southworth, a spokeswoman for the Army's Chemical Materials Agency.

Van Pelt said the Army would remedy deficiencies cited by the state division and achieve a more "disciplined operational mindset.

"We have initiated this work stoppage on our own because we are absolutely committed to the safety of our workers and the public," he said.

The Army's former research and development facility is in charge of safekeeping personal protective gear, insulation, cleaning materials, tools, steel containers and munitions casings that have been contaminated by chemical warfare agents.

The facilities are about 40 miles west of Salt Lake City.