RICHMOND
MONEY SET FOR DEPOT CONSTRUCTION
In a memo sent Thursday to congressional defense committees, the Pentagon acknowledged that it intends to use $44 million of the $51 million appropriated in 2006 for construction of the chemical disposal facilities at Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County and in Colorado. Just a week ago, a solicitation of bids for preliminary construction at the Madison County site was put out by the contractor, but it was noted any award would be contingent on available funding. "This memo should allow the contract to start 'moving dirt' be awarded, and we hope to see such activities beginning this spring," said Craig Williams, director of the Berea-based Chemical Weapons Working Group. The memo, signed by Under Secretary of Defense Kenneth Krieg, comes after an amendment to the 2006 defense spending bill put forth by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., permitting research and development funds to be used for construction.