Recent fires at two chemical weapons disposal facilities in the United States may change the way Blue Grass Army Depot officials choose to dispose of M55 rockets.

Three fires have occurred while processing rockets at the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility in Oregon and two have occurred during the same process at the Pine Bluff facility in Arkansas.

The incidents stem from the destruction of M55 rockets containing GB nerve agent, which also are stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot. Weapons disposal has not yet begun at the depot; however, the rockets will be destroyed first, said Dick Sloan, public affairs officer for Blue Grass Chemical Activity.

Rockets are being destroyed at Arkansas and Oregon sites by a robotic processing machine that drains the nerve agent from the rocket and then cuts it into eight pieces. No humans come into contact with the rockets during this process and all action is monitored on a closed-circuit television, Sloan said.

"While the current design for the neutralization plant calls for the same type of rocket shear equipment in use at the incineration facilities (in Oregon and Arkansas), we are exploring alternatives to reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring once the Blue Grass plant becomes operational," said Jim Fritsche, government site project manager.

Members of Bechtel-Parsons Blue Grass, the government's contractor for the future demilitarization site at the depot, is evaluating the effectiveness of separating rocket warheads (which contain nerve agent) and motors (which contain propellant) during the demilitarization process, according to a statement released by Mickey Morales, public involvement manager for Bechtel-Parsons.

The Bechtel-Parsons team has been considering separating the rocket motors for several months as a way of improving operations and reducing overall cost; however, the idea will be pursued more vigorously, according to the statement.

"This effort is our top priority," said Chris Midgett, project manager for Bechtel-Parsons Blue Grass. "As part of the evaluation we will submit a design for government approval. Upon approval, we will go into the fabrication and construction phase. Our goal has always been to reduce the risk of the chemical weapons to the community."

Design plans for the weapons destruction plant at the depot are set to be complete by the end of 2005 and construction may begin in 2006.


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