November 16, 2001

President George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.
20500

Dear Mr. President,

In the wake of the immense human tragedy of September 11th, our country, under your leadership, has taken enormous steps toward increased security by reducing risks to U.S. citizens from potential terrorist actions.  We applaud your efforts.
 
Citizens living near chemical weapons stockpiles especially appreciate the increased security deployed at such storage sites in their communities.  The millions of Americans living in the shadow of these obsolete weapons of mass destruction deserve no less.
 
Unfortunately, according to information released by the Pentagon on September 24, 2001,  U.S. citizens will continue to live with the threat of these weapons for 15 years or more, using the Army’s current chemical weapons destruction strategy.  The current incineration approach is already 20 years behind schedule.  Serious consideration must be given to available options for eliminating this risk in a more expeditious manner.
 
In 1991 the Secretary of Defense, at the direction of Congress, developed a Contingency Plan for the rapid reduction of chemical agent risk from the most problematic munitions should such a need arise.  Prior to the issuance of this Contingency Plan, Army engineers and their contractors developed specific designs, schedules and environmental assessments along with cost and risk analysis for actions required to implement the plan.  This information was incorporated into the Secretary’s submitted Contingency Plan and stands to this day.
 
In brief, the Contingency Plan provides for disassembly of the weapons and separation of the lethal chemical agents.  In 1993, the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences broadened the Contingency Plan to include neutralizing the agents after weapons disassembly thereby moving from risk reduction to risk elimination.  They found this strategy scientifically sound and viable for all agents in all chemical weapons configurations concluding that, “International treaty obligations for demilitarization would be met and the risk of continued agent storage eliminated.  By destroying the stored agent, the risk of catastrophic agent release during storage is avoided.”

Following the September 11th attacks, it is imperative that this risk be addressed immediately.  According to sources inside the military, implementation of disassembly and neutralization on a fast track could safely eliminate the agent risk to U.S. communities within 4-5 years.  This would do away with the threat significantly faster than the current approach.  Additionally, shortening the disposal timeframe could save billions.
 
We respectfully propose that you, along with the Congress, immediately convene a Task Force to make a determination regarding the viability and swift implementation of the disassembly and neutralization approach in line with the Contingency Plan of the Secretary of Defense that was later expanded and endorsed by the National Research Council.
 
The Task Force would consist of prominent scientists, military representatives, public health experts, representatives of the Governors of stockpile states and the Office of Homeland Security, along with citizen representatives from host communities.  Within 60 days of convening, the Task Force would submit its recommendation on the disassembly and neutralization approach to you and the Congress.
 
Mr. President, waiting 15 years or more to rid our country of these deadly warfare agents through the current destruction program is unsafe and unnecessary.  Since 1985, following the Army’s incineration approach, not a single drop of agent has been disposed of at seven of the eight storage sites.  We cannot afford to wait well over another decade before this dangerous burden is lifted from our nation.
 
We appreciate your consideration of this proposal and look forward to working with you, the Congress and others toward a safe and rapid elimination of this serious threat to a vast numbers of Americans.
 

Sincerely,

Craig Williams

Craig Williams, Director
Chemical Weapons Working Group
 
 

cc: Secretary of Defense
      Undersecretary of Defense (A&T)
      Secretary of the Army
      Undersecretary of the Army (I&E)
      Senate and House Armed Services Committees
      Senate and House Defense Appropriations Committees
      Senators and Representatives of Chemical Weapons Stockpile States
      Governors of Chemical Weapons Stockpile States