Lexington Herald-Leader
November 22, 2002

Editorial:

A win on chemical burning

The U.S. Defense Department's decision against burning nerve and mustard gas at Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County is indeed a victory for grass-roots activism

For 18 years, local residents and other activists fought the Army's disposal plans out of concern about the potential dangers of burning dangerous gases in such a heavily populated area. The cause was aided by lobbying from Kentucky senators, problems with other incineration plants and the development of newer disposal methods.

This week, the Defense Department chose chose chemicals to neutralize the weapons, many of which have been stored a the depot since 1944. This method recently received the approval of the National Research Council, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences.

There is still a long way to go before Central Kentucky is free of these Cold War relics, which an international treaty says must be destroyed by 2007. An $18.6 million neutralization plant has to be built at the depot, and the disposal process must be monitored. Sen., Mitch McConnell is right to stress continued vigilance.

We have no doubt that the Chemical Weapons Working Group and others who have joined it in this fight won't drop their guard. Congratulations for an important job well done.