Nerve agent transport plan to be focus of Army hearing

Tuesday, March 16, 2004

CARNEYS POINT TWP. --The U.S. Army is holding a public hearing at Penns Grove High School Wednesday to discuss its proposal to transport and treat a neutralized nerve agent at DuPont's Pennsville Township facility.

The proposal has been met with a great deal of controversy from local, state and federal officials as well as community environmental organizations.

Elected federal representatives have urged the Army to extend the public information period from 30 to 60 days and will hold this public hearing as part of the informative process.

The VX Nerve Agent, is being neutralized in Newport, Ind., and is proposed to be transported from the Army facility there to DuPont's facility in Salem County for further treatment and disposal into the Delaware River.

DuPont Secure Environmental Treatment (SET) facility conducted a series of tests to determine if the nerve agent byproduct was treatable. A 350-page research study, which included independent studies, concluded that the project can be completed in a "safe and environmentally sound manner and poses no unique hazards."

"We do not accept any wastewater unless we can treat it safely and effectively without any adverse impact on our employees, the community and the environment," said Nick Fanandakis, general manager of DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise.

The Salem County Watershed Task Force is one of the environmental groups strongly opposing the treatment of the wastewater in New Jersey.

"Among our reasons is the risk posed to residents and our waterways from the number of deadly toxins which will remain in the wastewater after it is treated by DuPont," stated Vice Chair Nancy Merritt. "Those toxins will be discharged into the Delaware River."