WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Greg Walden, a Republican from Hood River, has asked the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities to increase funding for the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program in Morrow and Umatilla counties.

The Subcommittee met today in a hearing titled “U.S. Chemical Weapons Stockpile — Program Status and Issues” to examine issues surrounding the demilitarization of chemical munitions across the nation, including emergency preparedness plans to protect communities situated near chemical weapons facilities.

The Umatilla Chemical Depot just west of Hermiston stores about 12 percent of the nation’s chemical weapons stockpile. An incineration complex has been constructed to destroy the weapons and is now being tested. Incineration is expected to begin next year.

“Given the gravity of the threat to the people of Oregon posed by these chemical agents, both I and my colleagues in this Congress have a profound responsibility to ensure that our citizens are properly prepared as we move toward the complete destruction of the nation’s chemical weapons stockpile,” Walden said in his testimony to the subcommittee. “For this reason, it is paramount that we spare no expense in preparing our communities to respond quickly and effectively to the accidental release of chemical agents.”

Currently, Oregon is slated to receive $5.6 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2004. That’s far short of the $12.9 million that both the governor’s office and Morrow and Umatilla County officials say is needed to fund emergency preparedness projects, Walden noted.

Walden’s office said projects that may be jeopardized by a shortfall in CSEPP funds include the evacuation project for the city of Hermiston, upgrades to existing over-pressurized schools, and additional warning sirens and tone alert radios for the Immediate Response Zone.

“Like the overwhelming majority of the citizens of Morrow and Umatilla counties, I favor the swift destruction of chemical weapons at the Depot as soon as we are able to proceed safely and effectively,” Walden said. “However, adequate public safeguards must not be sacrificed for the sake of efficiency in destroying these munitions.”

Walden represents the Second Congressional District of Oregon, which includes the 20 counties of central, southern and eastern Oregon. He is a deputy whip and member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Committee on Resources.