Anniston Star
February 14, 2003

Some federal funds for protection program still delayed

By Nathan Solheim
Star Staff Writer

When the Calhoun County Commission awarded the contract two weeks ago for protective hoods and other measures intended to protect residents in case of an accident at the Anniston Army Depot's chemical weapons stockpile, they did it in part to compel federal officials to provide the remaining funds for the program.

They're still waiting.

Commissioners still need $5 million to cover the cost of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Plan's citizen protection program before their contractor, Centech, Inc., can begin distributing protective hoods, shelter-in-place kits and recirculation filters, and train residents in their use.

Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assured commissioners that the agency has the money and gave a verbal commitment that it would arrive in the middle of next week.

"The money is at FEMA headquarters," said Bruce Baughman, a high-ranking FEMA official and Gov. Bob Riley's emergency management advisor. "We're trying to get a status. It's there, and we're trying to get it down here."

Commissioners recessed their regular meeting Thursday instead of adjourning it so that they can return to finalize the contract as soon as the money arrives.

The waiting game is one they have played many times before, commissioners said.

Commission Chairman James A. "Pappy" Dunn said the delay is somewhat frustrating.

"We're already months behind and we needed this yesterday; in order for us to have protection for this community, we should have started on this a month ago," Dunn said.

Start-up of the billion-dollar chemical weapons incinerator at the Anniston Army Depot has been postponed.

Commissioners already have received $9 million for the program. Centech is in the process of leasing property on McClellan for a storage, distribution and training center.

"It's just going to hold back the incinerator process, it's the same game they've played for years," said Commissioner Eli Henderson. "'The check's in the mail.' Maybe this time the check really is in the mail."

Commissioners also received funding for operations and maintenance of their regular CSEPP program from FEMA. The commission received $3.1 million.