By Karen Hutchinson-Talaski
Staff writer

HERMISTON - The Umatilla Chemical Depot failed a Department of the Army Inspector General Surety Inspection last month; however, the failure stems from administrative inadequacies rather than a problem with the stockpile of chemical weapons.

According to Mary Binder, Army spokesperson, every 18 months the depot is put through rigorous inspections by the Inspector General (IG). Those inspections are multi-functionary, Binder said.

"The IG inspects security of chemical OPS, medical OPS, safety and emergency response," Binder said.

The purpose of the Army Chemical Surety Program, says Binder, is to ensure that chemical agent operations are conducted in a safe, secure and reliable manner. That includes administrative to actual implementation and operations of the depot.

At any time, inspectors may reinspect any aspect of the depot's surety program. In July, there will be another inspection, which, according to Binder, will be primarily on the administrative aspects of the surety management program.

The problem may lie in training issues, Binder said. However, she was unable to specifically pinpoint a particular administrative concern that the IG raised.

"The key for the public to know is our chemical weapons stockpile remains safe and secure," Binder said. "That remains our number one focus, 24/7."