for more information contact:
Craig Williams: 859-986-7565
for immediate release: Thursday February 27, 2003
The final decision document issued today states that chemical neutralization, followed by Super Critical Water Oxidation (SCWO) will be the technology used to destroy chemical weapons stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot. This "Record of Decision" (ROD) was signed off on by Assistant Secretary of the Army, Claude Bolton. It brings to an end 19 years of opposition to an Army proposed chemical weapons incinerator for Kentucky.
The ROD is the last in a long series of Department of Defense procedures under federal laws to clear the way for moving forward with disposal of the lethal chemical weapons. In November 2002, the Army announced their neutralization and SCWO as its "preferred technology" and earlier this month the Pentagon signed off on their Acquisition Decision Memorandum, allowing bids to be received from contractors to construct and operate the disposal facility.
According to a memo sent to Congress today, "The potential site-specific health and environmental impacts of the demilitarization of these chemical weapons via incineration and an available alternative technology have been evaluated." The memo also says, "The Department of the Army announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) to employ chemical neutralization followed by supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) at Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD), Kentucky."
"Today is a victory by Kentuckians in our efforts to protect our health, welfare and environment," said Craig Williams, Director of the Berea based Kentucky Environmental Foundation. "It has been a collective effort by thousands of citizens along with local, state and federal elected officials to achieve this result - each deserve praise for sticking to it," he said. "Everyone who ever attended a meeting, signed a petition, wrote a letter, marched in the streets or participated in this effort in any way deserves the credit for seeing this through to a successful end."
The process of attaining permits, selecting contractors, building
the facility and operating it is anticipated to take between 8
and 10 years. Citizens groups, including KEF intend to remain
involved in monitoring the project to ensure that safety and community
concerns remain top priority.
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