Kitzhaber gives depot panel 2001 deadline

This story was published Fri, Aug 4, 2000

By Mary Hopkin
Herald Oregon bureau

PENDLETON - The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program executive panel has until June 1, 2001, to determine whether Oregon residents are prepared for a chemical release.

Gov. John Kitzhaber gave the panel the deadline Thursday in Pendleton.

Kitzhaber appointed the 20-member panel in May to evaluate whether residents are prepared for a chemical event.

The panel must report back to Kitzhaber by June with the answer.

Kitzhaber said only after receiving assurances from the panel that the citizens are prepared will he allow the Umatilla Chemical Depot to begin test burns of chemical weapons.

"My No. 1 priority is the safety of our citizens," Kitzhaber said. "On the other hand, we have dangerous chemicals here we have to get rid of. I'm relying on you to work together to get it done."

About 7.4 million pounds of deadly nerve and mustard agents are stored at the depot, seven miles west of Hermiston. The weapons will be destroyed in the incinerator plant being built at the depot.

The executive review panel should not be confused with the new board being put in place to oversee CSEPP operations, said Chris Brown, CSEPP spokesman.

The panel is to judge whether CSEPP is reaching members of the public and teaching them what to do if a chemical event occurred.

The new board being developed will oversee the everyday functions of Oregon CSEPP and help ensure the separate agencies are communicating, cooperating and working together.

Umatilla County Commissioner Dennis Doherty explained the new CSEPP management concept to Kitzhaber.

The board will have seven voting members, one person each to represent the state, Morrow County, Umatilla County, the cities, the medical community and the Community Response Coordination Committee, plus an at-large community member.

Kitzhaber suggested the board allow a member of the Confederated Tribes to join the other nonvoting members, which include a representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army, plus a local congressional field representative.

The board plans to hire a program manager who will be responsible for operations.

Kitzhaber gave the new management concept his approval and offered assistance.

"Anything you need from my office to help facilitate, just give a call," he said.

 

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