A program to dispose of 523 tons of chemical weapons stored at Blue Grass Army Depot appears to be making headway after years of delays over community opposition.

A 19-year argument has been resolved between government officials charged with burning the chemicals and community activists who want to ensure the job is done safely.

They share optimism that the neutralization process still in the design stages is on the right track.

A new Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board will work with the government as the Blue Grass disposal process advances.

Under international treaty, the site and several others are supposed to be free of the chemicals by April 2007. But it could be a decade before the work is complete at the Kentucky facility.