Published: May
01, 2007 12:17 pm
CWWG releases 'Citizens Solution'
By Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer
BEREA -- The Berea-based
Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG) marked the 10th anniversary of
ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Monday with
release of the "Citizens Solution" for safe chemical weapons disposal.
The
document contains five recommendations to redirect the U.S. chemical
demilitarization to more closely comply with the CWC while providing
maximum protection to citizens and workers.
The CWC, created in 1997, is an international treaty mandating that all
existing chemical weapons be destroyed within 10 years.
However,
because of funding complications and other delays, the Army has now
delayed the destruction of all the weapons until 2023.
In 1997,
the CWWG achieved a major victory for safe weapons disposal when
Congress mandated a program to identify, demonstrate and implement
non-incineration alternatives for chemical weapons disposal.
The
program, called the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA),
consisted not only of detailed technology reviews, but a national
dialogue process through which all program decisions -- such as
technology criteria, assessments and reports -- were made by consensus.
The
program recommended neutralization as a safe, viable means of chemical
weapons destruction, with follow-up biological and Supercritical Water
Oxidation (SCWO) technologies.
Indiana, Maryland, Colorado and
Kentucky sites were selected for neutralization technology and
non-incineration secondary treatment, with full support from local
citizens, state and federal government.
Design changes and
Pentagon funding cuts to Kentucky and Colorado's chemical weapons
disposal facilities stretched the timeline for weapons disposal 11
years after the original CWC deadline.
A press release issued
Monday from the CWWG, a grassroots organization in support of safe
disposal of chemical weapons at the Blue Grass Army Depot and other
sites around the U.S., explains the reason for its recommendations.
The
documents reads: "This paper (the 'Citizens Solution') brings to light
some of the major challenges in the program since ratification of the
CWC 10 years ago, and gives specific recommendations through which
these challenges can be overcome, for the health and safety of our
communities, and for the ability of our government to be a leader in
international chemical demilitarization efforts."
The five
recommendations include: Neutralization of all mustard agent munitions
in Alabama, Arkansas, Oregon and Utah; full funding of a chemical
demilitarization program, particularly in Colorado and Kentucky;
on-site disposal of chemical agent hydrolysate with safe, publicly
acceptable technology; use of advanced monitoring systems and
government accountability and transparency through public involvement
in the chemical demilitarization decision-making process.
"(The
CWWG) is about proposing solutions and we will continue to be here
asking to work collaboratively with the Army, state regulators and with
Congress to get closer to the goals from the CWC," said CWWG member
Elizabeth Crowe. "We are the folks who are living in the shadows of the
chemical weapons and we want them gone as soon as possible."
Crowe said that she and the entire CWWG are in hopes that the
recommendations will receive a response.
"When
you have community groups who are very involved in this program who
think about solutions and who offer up suggestions, at minimum, that
deserves a response," she said.
The group would like to
receive more than "the same level of arrogance displayed by the Army
over many years that says, 'We've made up our minds and we're going to
move forward.'"
The "Citizens Solution" concludes firmly by
stating: "The CWWG believes that where citizens are encouraged and
empowered, solutions will follow. We support the goals of the CWC and
are prepared to work collaboratively with the Army and other government
agencies in order to bring a safe end to our nation's chemical weapons
legacy."