Chemical weapons won't be moved during race weekend

By Rob Jordan
Star Staff Writer
04-22-2004

TALLADEGA--As Talladega Superspeedway revs up this weekend, activity at the nearby Army chemical weapons incinerator will wind down a bit. The Army will not move chemical munitions or open weapons storage igloos at the facility from midnight Thursday through midnight Sunday of race weekends, according to an agreement between Talladega County officials and the agency overseeing the incinerator. Incinerator employees likely won't resume transporting munitions until Monday around 7 a.m., said Tim Garrett, the Army's site manager for the incinerator. With little or no way to provide protection for the 200,000 fans and with sheer numbers making evacuation a near impossibility, local emergency management officials in 2003 asked the Army to address the issue of race-week crowds. The agreement to refrain from transporting the munitions during race-week activities was the result. Chemical weapons destruction at the incinerator will continue at its current rate of about 16 rockets per hour during the races, however, Garrett said. The incinerator recently received word from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management that it can begin processing about 25 rockets per hour. Officials said they won't process at that rate until they get approval from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, which could happen over the next few weeks. Talladega Superspeedway is 6.5 miles from the incinerator. Because of the temporary freeze on munitions transports, the incinerator's operations should pose no threat to race-goers, said Nelson Bates, director of the Talladega County Emergency Management Agency. "Go enjoy the race, and don't worry about the incinerator," he said.

About Rob Jordan

Rob Jordan covers criminal justice issues for The Star.