138th Year... and still on the job!	Wednesday August 30, 2006

Depot awaits funds

Editorial
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

PUEBLO CHEMICAL Depot and the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky await a proposed $1.5 billion over the next five years to destroy chemical weapons at the two Department of Defense sites.

Craig Williams, director of the Chemical Weapons Working Group, said the Defense Acquisition Board recommended the funding last week. The $1.5 billion is for the entire alternative demilitarization program. No breakdown of projected funding levels between Pueblo and Kentucky was announced.

The funding still needs congressional approval, although the Colorado and Kentucky delegations were credited with pressuring the Pentagon to get it moving.

As recently as 18 months ago, the program learned that an undersecretary of defense had plugged in only $30 million a year until 2010, placing both sites on a "caretaker" status, Mr. Williams said in announcing the revised figure of 10 times that annual amount.

"Apparently, they have heard our arguments and have taken heed," he said of Army officials.

The program has been beset by funding delays. While the Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens Advisory Commission had wanted more, it looks as if adequate funding finally is close at hand. We certainly hope so.