Officials look to block munitions

By Amy Sieckmann
Star Capitol Correspondent
01-16-2005

MONTGOMERY -- Nearly all of Alabama's state and national political leaders say they'll oppose any attempt by the Pentagon to transport additional chemical weapons to Anniston Army Depot. "This is an absurd idea and one I strongly oppose," U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, said, referring to a report earlier this week that Department of Defense personnel are considered moving munitions from two of the Army's storage sites. Rep. Lea Fite, D-Jacksonville, said the local legislative delegation will meet with lawyers in Montgomery to determine what options they can take to block more chemicals from coming to Anniston. "I know it is a federal thing, but we have to try to do everything we can," Fite said. "We promised this community that we would build it, burn it and forget it." Each member of the Calhoun County area's legislative delegation contacted by The Star opposes the idea. "We need to get rid of it just as soon as we can, and then don't bring any more in," said Rep. Barbara Boyd, D-Anniston. "That was my position from the start, and that's still my position." An Army "decision memorandum," dated Dec. 21, 2004, and made public by the Chemical Weapons Working group, discusses the possibility that budget cutbacks might delay construction of demilitarization sites in Kentucky and Colorado. The memo also says the Army should consider ways to safeguard the stockpiles at those two sites, including "relocation if necessary among sites." Anniston's chemical weapons incinerator is the nearest facility to the Kentucky stockpile that is equipped to process weapons filled with nerve and blister agent. Fite began calling his fellow lawmakers after learning of the memo Thursday. Fite said the memo shows that the Army lied to the community when the incinerator first was proposed, promising the Calhoun County Commission that, "we will burn it and be out of here." "It is outright lying to this community if they do this," Fite said of the memo's suggestions. Rep. Randy Wood, R-Saks, also expressed outrage. "I don't have a problem with the burning here," he said. "But I don't want them bringing anyone else's chemicals in here. They promised us and the people of this area that once we got through burning the stockpile here, there would be no more burning." Sen. Jim Preuitt, D-Talladega, said he was surprised to hear the military talking about moving chemical weapons, since one of the government's big selling points about building the incinerator in Anniston in the first place was that the weapons were too dangerous to move. "It would seem very dangerous to me to be moving chemicals about," he said. "Otherwise, we could have shipped Anniston's someplace else." Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, and Rep. Steve Hurst, D-Munford, did not return calls for comment. Fite said he had spoken to Hurst, who agreed that a meeting to discuss the issue is needed. Gov. Bob Riley's office issued a statement saying, "The military has not approached the governor on this issue yet. We will need more details before we comment on it further."

About Amy Sieckmann

Amy Sieckmann covers state government. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri.