Published: June 04, 2007 10:33 am

Depot urges public to get involved, learn more
By Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer

As construction of the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant at the Blue Grass Army Depot continues, those associated with the project are still making efforts to get the community more involved.

This month's Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office newsletter is encouraging the public to become more involved in the demilitarization process and utilize the sources of information that area available.

"The public outreach office is available for those who are very busy and don't have time to do the research on their own," said Dave Easter, public information officer for the Blue Grass Army Depot. "What has changed (since the 1980s) is the availability of information. Before, people had to call me and I had to research it for them in order to give them an answer."

The outreach office features ample parking availability, handicap accessibility, a large office display area and a wealth of informational resources about everything from the history of the Blue Grass Army Depot to the weapons destruction process, or "demilitarization," as it is known to those in the military realm.

What's all the fuss about?

There are several opinions about how the weapons should be destroyed, and related issues have been on the forefront since the 1980s.

The goal of interested community members, including those with the Berea-based CWWG (Chemical Weapons Working Group), all want the weapons to be destroyed as soon as possible doing the least amount of harm to the environment as possible.

The chemical weapons stockpile at the depot consists of 523 tons of nerve agent that are stored in both projectiles and M55 rockets that each contain 10 pounds of either GB or VX nerve agent, or mustard gas, which is a blister agent.

The nerve agents being stored at the depot were created precisely to shut down the nervous system and ultimately lead to death.

The nerve agent GB has the consistency of water and VX is more like an oil. Mustard agent can be contaminating an area and no one would know it was in the air. The gas produces blisters after a period of time, therefore, people who come in contact with it are exposing themselves much more than if it caused immediate effects.

The weapons arrived at the depot in 1944, which was two years after the Blue Grass Depot became an operating facility.

They are stored in "igloos" and monitored daily for leaks or vapors that indicate the agent has made its way into the atmosphere inside the igloo.

Those living within six miles of the depot are classified as living in an emergency response zone, and the entire county has a zoning code that lets them know when to evacuate in case of an emergency at the depot.

Several attempts have been made to secure funding for the destruction of the weapons, but because of funding cuts from the Army, the process has been delayed.

The most recent deadline set for all the weapons to be destroyed is 2023.

The topic of demilitarization processes has led to several heated debates among community members and members of the CDCAB/CAC.

What is the CDCAB?

The Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board (CDCAB) is made up of community members who represent organizations chosen to advise the public of the major issues about the pilot plant being built at the depot that will be used to destroy the weapons in storage.

According to information provided by the outreach office, the continuation of community interest and participation will be a key factor in the successful launch of the board.

Members are responsible on relaying information about ways to promote the safe and timely destruction of the weapons; ensure the protection of the community and depot employees; encourage sustainable economic development of the community; articulate community priorities; and help public outreach and information get out into the community.

One common issue tends to resurface at each meeting of the CDCAB and that is the method chosen to destroy the weapons.

The Department of Defense selected a process that calls for neutralization followed by supercritical water oxidation (SCWO). This has been the chosen method for the weapons stored at the depot since February 2003.

While the weapons are being neutralized, the munitions are disassembled, chemically decomposed and neutralized by water hydrolysis.

The waste produced from this is know as "hydrolysate." This is then destroyed by SCWO, which subjects the waste to extremely high pressure temperature, breaking then down into carbon dioxide, water and salts, which are safe for disposal.

The CDCAB was created in 2003 to represent the local community throughout the demilitarization process and serve as an outlet for dialogue and helpful information.

To learn more about Madison County's CDCAB, contact Madison Judge-Executive Kent Clark at 624-4700 or Craig Williams, director of the CWWG, at 986-7565.

What is the CAC?

The Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens' Advisory Commission (CAC) consists of nine members who are appointed by the governor.

Seven members represent the community and the remaining two are representatives of state agencies that work closely with the demilitarization process.

According to outreach office representatives, the purpose of this organization is to provide a link between the community and the Army.

The CAC usually meets right after the conclusion of CDCAB meetings.

For more information about current issues and to receive meeting notices and minutes by mail or e-mail, call 625-1528 or send an e-mail to kycac@iclub.org.

For a copy of this month's Chemical Stockpile Outreach newsletter, call 626-8944.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.