PHASE II OF EVACUATION PLAN MAY BE SCRUBBED
Published: January 14, 2004
By Karen Hutchinson-Talaski Staff writer
HERMISTON - Phase II of an evacuation plan proposed by the Morrow County
Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) may be scrubbed
if
federal funding is denied.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracted with IEM, a
consulting firm, to determine whether or not the evacuation plan is
necessary for the safety of citizens in the Immediate Response Zone (IRZ)
of
the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (UMCDF).
At this point, according to Casey Beard, director of Morrow County CSEPP,
FEMA has not made a determination not to fund the project; however, he isn't
taking any chances.
"Planning for Phase II is done and ready for bid," Beard said. "We are
hoping to move toward Phase III items."
The evacuation plan originally called for three phases to be implemented
as
money became available from FEMA.
Phase I dealt with linking signals in Hermiston and Umatilla via a
computerized program. The signals are controlled at the Bob Shannon Safety
Center. Beard says Phase I should be complete in about 45 days. The cost
for
Phase I was about $1.5 million.
Phase II, a $3 million project, was funded in January of 2004. This phase
of
the plan would have enhanced Elm Street and Diagonal Roads to allow better
access out of town in case of a chemical emergency at the UMCDF.
At the time Phase II was funded, FEMA said it was unsure if it would fund
Phase III. The agency felt there needed to be more study as to the
feasibility of the project.
Phase III, at a cost of $6 million, would have upgraded Highland Avenue,
Feedville and Sheridan Roads, make improvements to Interstate 84 and Hwy.
395, among other items.
"We won't be able to change the roads," Beard said, "so we will be using
signage (to direct traffic)."
Beard says the new signs would be much smaller than the large signs on
Interstate 84 and Hwy. 395 which alert motorists regarding any problems at
the UMCDF.
The signs are more hardy, Beard says, which makes them more economical
in
the long run. Beard also wants to add bumpers to First Responders' vehicles
in case they need to move a disabled vehicle off the road.
"We want to alleviate the damage to First Responders as much as possible,"
Beard said. "We are trying to do lots of smaller common sense things to help
get the work done."