East Oregonian
Monday, July 14, 2003

Watchdog group seeks CSEPP probe

By JEANNINE KORANDA of the East Oregonian
jkoranda@eastoregonian.com

PENDLETON - A citizen watchdog group based in Hermiston opposed to the incineration of chemicals at the Umatilla Chemical Depot is asking the state attorney general to investigate Umatilla County for using funds for a 450-megahertz radio system for a computer-aided dispatch system.

In a written statement released Monday, the group said it sent a letter to Gov. Ted Kulongoski on July 10 citing "Umatilla County maneuvers to combine CSEPP funds dedicated for a 450-megahertz radio system with other funds to purchase a computer-assisted dispatch system."

The group contends the delay is a permit violation and requests an immediate investigation. The letter requested the governor to order an investigation by the state attorney general into the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program.

Mary Ellen Glynn, spokesperson for the governor's office, said this morning the letter had not been received so she could not respond to the specific concerns.

She stressed that the governor's office has been very involved in trying to make sure that proper safety procedures are in place prior to the burning of chemical weapons.

Umatilla County officials said that the fund transfer was approved by the CSEPP governing board in May and that it would not jeopardize the 450 MHz radio system or cause delays in the project.

"What this would actually do is expedite, not delay things at all," said Meg Capps, CSEPP emergency manager for Umatilla County. Both the computer-aided dispatch system and 450 MHz radio system are tools to enhance first-responder communication as well and emergency communication, she noted.

Both projects were equal in scope and no one in the CSEPP program voiced any opposition to the shift, Capps said.

In a May 21 meeting, the CSEPP governing board agreed that $200,000 of the funding set aside for the megahertz radio program be shifted to the computer-assisted dispatch system, should it become necessary. In exchange, Umatilla County waived previously negotiated administrative fees due the county.

There was a linkage between the 450 MHz system and computer-dispatch system that made perfect sense, Umatilla County Commissioner Dennis Doherty said. He is the county liaison with the CSEPP program.

The computer-aided dispatch system would benefit not just local law enforcement but CSEPP, he added.

"It makes sense to do it now so we have an integrated communication system that includes both voice and data in working condition so we get the best bang for our buck," Doherty said.

The 450 MHz radio system was designed to handle a heavy load of voice traffic from all the responders in the field and between the field and the emergency operation center, he said. The system was chosen by the first responders, who later decided they would also like to receive data communications in the field.

"The 450 MHz wasn't selected for the purpose of carrying data; it is too slow for the purpose in mind," Doherty said. The dispatch system would add the capacity to transmit data.

"The two go together ... Historically, it has not been uncommon for these things to come a phase at a time, but the idea and the goal is to apply both of the needs that the people in the field have at the same time," he said.

In its letter, GASP asked that the governor to determine whether or not the actions by the Umatilla County Commissioners and CSEPP budget reductions constitute permit violations, and whether the state Department of Environmental Quality and the Army have fulfilled their permit responsibilities by using a "report card" format. GASP also is asking for permit requirements to include an annual independent audit of CSEPP.

"Umatilla County leadership knowingly jeopardized CSEPP funds in its quest for Army gold and that is unacceptable," Karyn Jones, director of GASP said in the written statement.

GASP, which includes Jones and 22 other Hermiston area plaintiffs, also are suing the state to halt incineration at the depot. The group contends safer technology is available to destroy the weapons that have been stored at the depot since World War II. The Army contends incineration is safe and the best technology now available for destroying the types of weapons stored at the Umatilla Chemical Depot. That case is being handled in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

GASP researcher James R. Wilkinson said in the written statement the governor "has unique power to call for an annual CSEPP program audit and the best reasons have been demonstrated by our own Umatilla County Commissioners."

Neither Jones nor Wilkinson could not be reached for further comment this morning