Information session slated as VX destruction nears

The Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility will host a public information session from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Newport Lions Club on the east side of the town square.

Representatives from the Newport Chemical Depot and Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility will provide information and respond to questions from citizens in preparation of startup of nerve-agent VX destruction operations.

Col. Jesse Barber, project manager for Alternative Technologies and Approaches, said in February that he would do everything he could to begin VX destruction May 5 and not later than May 15.

One drop of VX the size of a BB can be lethal, the Army has said. The Newport Chemical Depot, about 30 miles north of Terre Haute, stores 1,269 tons of VX.

Stockpile destruction is expected to be completed in 30 months, said Jeff Brubaker, government site project manager.

Tribune-Star staff report

Story created Apr 27, 2005 - 09:37:25 CDT.