Anniston Star
June 3, 2003

Speak Out ... On the incinerator

By our readers
06-03-2003

I read with interest your recent article, Incinerator operations could begin next month: Army pitches plan to start limited process. I have learned that this plan was initiated by Congressman Mike Rogers.

Although the Army and FEMA presented this plan, these offices did not create or initiate the idea of introducing and/or destroying chemical agent before the community preparedness issues have been implemented. This plan was initiated by Congressman Rogers. At his request the Army and FEMA offices merely staffed their appropriate areas within the proposal.

It is intriguing to note that nowhere in the documents associated with this activity nor in the media coverage has Congressman Rogers name appeared as being responsible for this plan.

I find it appalling that Congressman Rogers would initiate such an activity! Local, state, and federal officials have an agreement with the Army and FEMA that the issues on the safety check list would be implemented before any agent was moved or destroyed. To secretly subvert this agreement is underhanded and is a breech of trust between all the parties. Worst of all, it knowingly places citizens in this area at greater risk.

Congressman Rogers needs to immediately issue a public statement, which speaks to his role in this activity. He also needs to state his reasons for advocating that operations should commence before the completion of the safety check list, which includes collective protection for schools, protection for the special needs population, and adoption of the new toxicity thresholds.

Brenda Lindell
Anniston

Rep. Rogers responds

In her recent letter, Brenda Lindell expresses some concerns regarding incinerator operations that could possibly commence, on a limited scale, next month. I would like to address a couple of inaccuracies in her assessment of the facts.

First, Ms. Lindell asserts that this limited burn plan was initiated by me. That is incorrect. While I fully support the limited burn proposal that has been tendered by the Army and FEMA, I cannot claim to have initiated it. What I have done is vigorously urge the Army and FEMA to move the process of destroying these dangerous weapons along. Further, I have continuously emphasized that the Army and FEMA must address each and every issue on the safety check list set out by our local officials. I believe that the proposal tendered by the Army and FEMA does, in fact, do just that.

It is my position, as an individual who lives along with his family in the Immediate Response Zone (near the incinerator), that continuing to do nothing is not an option. The leaking, deteriorating stockpile poses a far greater risk to the safety of our community than the incineration process. Any implication that community safety concerns have been ignored, compromised or subverted in any way is completely inaccurate.

The safety of my family and community is of paramount importance to me. I am convinced that the Army and FEMA's proposal for a limited burn process meets that safety threshold.

Mike Rogers
Representative, 3rd District of Alabama
U.S. House of Representatives