| Army looks to modify
hazardous storage permit HERMISTON — The Army is seeking a permit modification to its hazardous waste storage permit at the Umatilla Chemical Depot to allow the installation and operation of five heating units to keep mustard agent in a liquid state. Mustard, a blistering agent, solidifies at about 58 degrees. When it’s frozen or partially frozen, it’s difficult to sample or drain from containers for incineration in the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility on the depot. The Mustard Condition System units are designed to warm the air inside igloos where mustard is stored and gradually raise the temperature of mustard stored in ton containers. The units are similar to those tested successfully at a mustard storage site in Utah, said Dennis Murphey, administrator of the state Department of Environmental Quality’s chemical demilitarization program. Mustard is one of three chemical agents stored at the depot, and it will be the last to be destroyed. The state recently approved a permit modification allowing mustard storage containers to be moved from I-Block igloos to K-Block. Now that about 60 percent of the GB rockets containing sarin nerve agent have been destroyed, there is room in K-Block to store mustard. K-Block is the closest storage area to the disposal facility, which will make moving mustard containers during demilitarization safer. Consolidating the storage of munitions in one area also allows for improved security management, according to depot officials. If approved, the five Mustard Condition Systems will be installed in K-Block, where they can be connected to igloos as needed to warm the mustard to a liquid state. It hasn’t been determined how many K-Block igloos will be used for mustard storage, said Tom Beam of DEQ, permit manager. In addition to containers with sarin, VX nerve agent also is stored in K-Block. Public comment A public information meeting regarding the permit modification request to allow Mustard Condition System units at the Umatilla Chemical Depot has been scheduled for 7 p.m. March 30 at the Umatilla Chemical Disposal Outreach Office on Hermiston’s Main Street. Copies of the request are available at the Outreach Office, Hermiston Library and DEQ’s Hermiston office. Comments also can be sent to Dennis Murphey at 265 East Hurlburt, Suite 105, Hermiston, or faxed to him at 567-4741. For more information, call Murphey at 567-8297. |
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