Hermiston Herald
May 28, 2002

Test burns put on hold at depot

HERMISTON - The start of test burns at the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal
Facility, which were to have begun May 18, has been put on hold while the
Army tackles "challenges" it has encountered.
A number of issues have arisen that require more time to properly address.

Calibration Challenges

UMCDF is working with the the Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS)
vendor to resolve "calibration challenges."

The Army has yet to establish a new target date for the surrogate thermal
operations. A vendor is on site, troubleshooting a "situation" with the
Continuous Emissions Monitoring System. To assist in the process, an
instrument is expected to arrive from England in early June.

Once the vendor and technicians can determine the full scope of the
situation, the Army will project new target dates.

Readiness Assessment

Washington Demilitarization Company plans to prepare plant readiness
assessment for the Army before trial burns. The readiness assessment is a
written plan with criteria measuring everything from planning to procedures
and training to ensure facility operators are ready and certified.

The assessment is normally required before agent disposal operations.
However, UMCDF has "refined" the approach and will also use the plan for the
surrogate operations. "This will further help us gain operating efficiencies
and increase confidence before actual disposal operations," depot
spokesperson Mary Binder reported. "It is ultimately additional assurance to
the public of our commitment to safety - for our workers, the communities
and the environment."

Most Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) checklist items are
complete. UMCDF reports that employees continue to work diligently toward
safely conducting trial burns and the start of disposal operations. The
UMCDF has enough surrogate chemicals on site to begin surrogate trial burns
when the facility is ready. The surrogate chemicals will be burned to test
the furnaces and are more difficult to destroy than chemical warfare agent.

"Taking the time to make sure these issues are properly addressed
demonstrates the UMCDF's commitment to safety as its top priority," the
command reported.

Additional Information

• Sodium hydroxide is set to start arriving on site Friday. Commonly known
  as "lye" or "caustic," it will be used in testing the Pollution Abatement
  System (PAS) and to make decontamination solution for use in the plant
  during agent operations.
  
• Current total UMCD (the Army depot) workforce is 203 employees. Projected
  for disposal operations are 290 workers. The current total UMCDF (the
  demolition facility) workforce is 633 employees. Projected for disposal
  operations are 750.

Employment information telephone numbers are: UMCD, (541) 564-5205. UMCDF,
(541) 564-7394. UMCDF laboratory work, (210) 522-3085.

Public Involvement Opportunities:

The Chemical Demilitarization Citizens' Advisory Commission will meet at
6:30 p.m., June 20, Good Shepherd Medical Center, 610 N.W. 11th St., The
public is invited.