Published: October 24 , 2007

Officials seek faster destruction of weapons

Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer

U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, D-5th, is joining forces with U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and others in speeding up the process of destroying chemical weapons stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot and in Colorado.

A letter from Chandler's office was sent Oct. 19 to Ike Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Service Committee, and to Duncan Hunter, a ranking committee member, in support of the recent 2008 Defense Authorization Bill that was an effort of McConnell and Sen. Wayne Allard of Colorado.

The letter also is signed by U.S. Reps. John Salzar, D-Colo., Geoff Davis, R-Ky., Harold Rogers, R-Ky., Ron Lewis, R-Ky., Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., Mark Udall, D-Colo., Diana DeGette, D-Colo., Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., and John Yarmuth, D-Ky.

A previous Pentagon budget proposal moved the deadline for chemical weapons destruction from 2012 (which was set by the international Chemical Weapons Convention) to 2023. The deadline already has been extended from 2007 to 2012 as a result of funding stopped by the Pentagon in 2005.

Chandler reminded Skelton and Hunter that the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty requires weapons disposal by 2012.

"The 523 tons of nerve and blister agent at the Blue Grass depot, and the 2,611 tons of mustard agency at the Pueblo (Colo.) depot pose serious risks as the Cold War-era weapons continue to age becoming less stable and serve as terrorist targets," Chandler wrote. "Not only would a shorter deadline help protect these communities, but it would also save taxpayers about $3.3 billion."

The bill states: "The United States is committed to making every effort to safely dispose of its entire chemical weapons stockpile by the Chemical Weapons Convention extended deadline of April 29, 2012, or as soon thereafter as possible, and will carry out all of its other obligations under that convention."

Establishing a new, closer deadline "will ensure that cleanup will be a top priority," Allard said.

The Senate version of the fiscal year 2008 Defense Authorization Bill includes the 2017 deadline, "which is absolutely essential for the safe disposal of dangerous chemical weapons on American soil. We are urging conferees to include this critical language in the final bill," Chandler wrote.

Construction of the pilot plant continues and so far has cost $43,025,148 with $25,438,634 going to Madison County businesses, $2,050,324 going to Kentucky businesses outside of Madison County and $15,536,190 going to businesses outside the state, according to information released in the October project status.

Roadway concrete, potable water and sewer, perimeter fencing, access road, active security vehicle barrier, control building, associated utilities and temporary electrical substation all have been completed.

The update includes works in progress, including the installation of underground utilities, a personnel support building and a maintenance building.

Visit pmacwa.army.mil for more information about the Blue Grass Army weapons disposal project.

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