Birmingham News
June 17, 2003

Riley tells officials he won't delay incineration at Anniston

The Associated Press
6/17/03 11:50 AM

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Gov. Bob Riley has informed Anniston area officials he does not plan any further delay to the start of incineration of the Army's chemical weapons stockpile at Anniston.

Riley told Anniston Mayor Chip Howell and Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, that he will not delay the burning of the weapons if the Army can assure him that two safety concerns have been met, The Anniston Star reported Tuesday.

Riley told the two officials that he wants the Army to finish making improvements to its notification system and that extra assistance be provided for residents with special needs, Marsh and Howell told The Star.

Howell said Riley's concerns are being addressed.

Last week, the Army gave Congress the mandatory 30-day notice before the incinerator can start burning the chemical stockpile stored for decades at the Anniston Army Depot. The governor has the final say on the startup, and based on his statements to local leaders, the start date appears to depend on when he is assured that his final concerns have been resolved.

The Calhoun County Commission received a letter from Riley on Monday responding to the commission's concerns that certain safety measures be met before incineration begins.

"We must move as quickly as possible to remove this threat from our communities, but not before all efforts to protect the community have been addressed," Riley wrote.

The governor's announcement followed a resolution signed by all of Calhoun County's mayors. It supported the work being done at the Anniston Army Depot to prepare the community in the event of an accident.

"We just wanted the governor's commitment" that he would support the incinerator, Marsh said after the meeting Monday.

Riley also spoke to the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency on the phone during Monday's meeting, Howell said. The governor confirmed that the Army will use the latest toxicity models to figure out who in the community is most at risk should a chemical weapons accident occur.

Howell said Riley was told in the meeting that the Army would have a new communication system up and running within 30 days to notify residents who live in the area believed to be most likely affected by an accident.

Marsh said the governor's statement sends a message to the federal government.

"When the Army is ready to start, we are ready to start," Marsh said.