Chemical Materials Agency continues research
By Ryan Garrett/Register News Writer

The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency is making progress on an interim report examining the possibility of transporting 523 tons of chemical weapons from the Blue Grass Army Depot to incinerators in another state.

The purpose of the interim report, which is due to the Department of Defense Department on Feb. 18, is to meet a directive to assess ways to destroy the remaining U.S. stockpile of chemical agent and munition before an international deadline of April 2012.

"We are investigating various areas, looking at a wide variety of possibilities," Kevin Duvall, CMA's acting director of its Cooperative Reduction Support Directorate and the lead for the technical assessment, said in a statement released Thursday.

CMA is looking at possibilities including, but not limited to, transportation, reconfiguration, Non-Stockpile Chemical Material systems applications, co-processing and other technical alternatives, Duvall said.

"It would be premature to discuss where those options might lead at this time," he said. "We expect further refined guidance from DOD as a result of this interim report. Safety of our workers, our communities and our environment will not be compromised."

A final report is due March 21 to Michael Wynne, acting under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.

The possible transportation was made public last month in documents released by the Berea-based Chemical Weapons Working Group. The documents also showed the DOD intended to severely slash funding for Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives, the program responsible for disposing of chemical weapons at Blue Grass and the Pueblo (Colo.) Chemical Depot.

The CMA confirmed the information soon after,, and President Bush's proposed budget included the cuts Monday when it was sent to Capitol Hill.

Congressmen, however, have pledged to restore funding for the program and have taken steps to prevent the Army from studying transportation.

"The president's budget request is the first step in a long process," Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Monday in a statement released by his office. "Ever since cuts to the chemical demilitarization program were first rumored, I have made clear that I think such cuts are misguided and I will use my position on the Senate Appropriations Committee to ensure that the chemical agents are disposed of in a safe and expeditious manner."

Rep. Ben Chandler, D-6th District, is visiting Blue Grass today for a briefing on the situation and a tour of the facility.

"It is irresponsible that the administration continues to spend billions of dollars in Iraq, but will not fulfill its obligation to the citizens of Kentucky by funding the weapons disposal program at the Blue Grass Army Depot," Chandler said in a statement also released Monday.

Ryan Garrett can be reached at rgarrett@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 234.