136th Year... and still on the job!	Friday February 20, 2005

Depot plan top subject of meeting

Pentagon officials have tried to divert money from the effort for two years.

By PETER ROPER
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

Defense Department officials are expected to give an explanation of their plans for cleaning up the Pueblo Chemical Depot at a public meeting Wednesday of the depot's Citizens Advisory Commission.

U.S. Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., invited the Pentagon officials to make the presentation and answer questions from the commission. He will host the meeting scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the Pueblo Convention Center and the public is invited.

President Bush's proposed budget for next year eliminates nearly all the funding for destroying the mustard agent weapons stored at the Pueblo depot, despite the Defense Department's previous decision to build a $1.7 billion water-based destruction system at the depot.

Pentagon officials have attempted to divert money away from the new technology program for two years now, drawing criticism from Colorado's congressional delegation.

In a Jan. 17 letter to the Defense Department, Salazar reminded officials that the Pueblo community had designated the new technology as their choice for destroying the aged mustard agent weapons.

"Further delay makes the arsenal a continuing security and environmental risk for the region," he said.