New permit to make pilot plant a reality
By Ronica Brandenburg/Register News Writer

The recent issuance of a permit by the state puts the construction of a chemical weapons destruction plant at the Blue Grass Army Depot one step closer to reality.

A Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permit was issued Friday by the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection's (KDEP) Division of Waste Management.

Known as a Research, Development and Demonstration permit under the RCRA program, it allows for construction, testing and operation of a facility to destroy M55 rockets and 8-inch projectiles containing nerve agent GB, also known as sarin, and related wastes.

The permit was tentatively approved July 19 by the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. It was written to destroy only GB agent or "sarin"; however, based on the success of the process, the permit may be expanded as a regular permit and include the destruction of VX and mustard agents.

Col. Rick Mason, depot commander, emphasized the depot's mission while expressing his appreciation to the state for granting the permits for chemical weapons storage and destruction operations.

"The Blue Grass Army Depot has safely stored its stockpile of chemical weapons for more than 60 years," Mason said. "I commend KDEP for the way they've balanced their oversight responsibilities with support for the mission to safely store and destroy the chemical weapons stored here."

These feelings were echoed by the government and systems contractor team.

"I want to express my appreciation to the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection for their teamwork and diligence in the environmental permitting process," said Jim Fritsche, government site project manager. "They have done their job in ensuring that this project is protective of human health and the environment."

A statement from U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell released last month reports that as of August, $8.5 million has been released to the BGAD.

"Although the Depart-ment of Defense's report was overdue, it appears they are doing what the law instructed them to do and that is to spend money at Blue Grass to dispose of these weapons as Congress intended," McConnell said.

The pilot plant is a project of high priority to those at the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, stating that "There is an increasing risk to human health and the environment from long-term storage of the aging chemical munitions," according to a statement released in July.

Initial infrastructure construction for the facility is expected to begin in 2006. Construction for the main destruction facility is scheduled to continue during 2007 while the plant design is finalized by the government's contractor, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass.

Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass Project Manager Chris Midgett is grateful for everyone who has been supportive of the demilitarization process at the depot.

"We were able to obtain this important permit in a timely manner thanks to the hard work of everyone involved and by actively involving the community in the permitting process. It was truly a team effort."

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