As the Army begins final preparations for neutralizing the deadly VX nerve agent stored near Newport, an Indiana lawmaker wants to ensure the state is not left in the dark about even the smallest detail.

Rep. F. Dale Grubb, D-Covington, is pushing House Bill 1059, which would give the Indiana Department of Environmental Management authority to inspect and oversee the process. It also would require that the Army or its contractor file transportation routes and a safety plan with the environmental agency, Indiana State Police and the State Emergency Management Agency. The Army also would pay a $200-per-shipment fee to help offset costs for such things as oversight, road repairs and maintaining emergency warning systems.

"I think we trust the Army, but what the heck does it hurt on something this important to have one more step in the process that ensures public confidence?" Grubb said.

"It's a pretty complicated situation with one of the deadliest agents known to man -- for us to make sure it's handled properly shouldn't be a problem to anyone."

The Army said this week it plans to begin neutralizing VX in April or May and will store the byproduct in 4,000-gallon tanks at the depot until the government decides where to dispose of it.

Plans to ship the byproduct to New Jersey for final treatment and disposal are on hold while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases a report on the safety of shipping the waste, treating it further and dumping it into the Delaware River.

A drop of VX on the skin could paralyze and kill a person in minutes. In Newport, more than 1,200 tons of the oily liquid -- the final two batches ever made -- has been stored in almost 1,700 casks since 1969.

A solution of hot sodium hydroxide and water will be mixed with the VX to neutralize it. The byproduct, a caustic chemical called hydrolysate, will be tested to ensure the VX is undetectable.

State environmental officials said the Army has been cooperative, but they support Grubb's bill because it would put everything into law and update language in an old state law passed when the Army was considering incinerating the VX.

"This means they're obligated to give us a role in (overseeing the process)," said Bruce Palin, deputy assistant commissioner of the state's Office of Land Quality.

The State Emergency Management Agency also would like to know the potential shipping routes so emergency responders could be ready in case of an accident, said David Crose, director of the SEMA technological hazards division.

"With our working relationship with (the Army), they probably would let us know, but wouldn't have to," he said.

Army spokeswoman Terry Arthur said she could not comment on the bill, but residents could be assured the process would be safe. Shipment plans include (satellite) tracking of the vehicles, she said. And, she said, the byproduct, "is no worse than many of the chemicals driven through Indiana and across the nation's highways every day."

The Army already is required to obtain state permits for the destruction of VX and storage of the byproduct.

Although the byproduct could remain stored at the site indefinitely, Grubbs, environmental officials and residents said it's far preferable to casks of pure VX.

"If I have a choice between VX or the byproduct, I'm going to take the byproduct every time," Grubb said. "This has been an issue so long, . . . let's bring this to a conclusion."

Resident Leonard Akers said he still has questions about the process but is glad something will be done about the VX.

"I've lived around here so long that I never really gave it a thought" until the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said Akers, who lives about 12 miles south of the depot.

The House Environmental Affairs Committee approved the bill, and it was heard by the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.

Call Star reporter Tammy Webber at (317) 444-6212.