DEQ pushing for new designations at depot

This story was published Thu, Jan 4, 2001

By Mary Hopkin
Herald Oregon bureau

HERMISTON - The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality wants every rocket, bomb and munition stored at the Umatilla Chemical Depot to be considered chemical waste.

That would give the DEQ oversight of storage of the depot's complete stockpile of weapons and the ability to test and monitor for leaks.

The Environmental Quality Commission is currently considering the DEQ's request to adopt new rules designating all chemical agent munitions hazardous waste, and public comments will be taken during a hearing at 7 p.m. today in the Community Room at Good Shepherd Health Care System.

Lt. Col. Tom Woloszyn, depot commander, said the Environmental Protection Agency's munitions act, adopted by the state, only gives the DEQ jurisdiction over those munitions declared as waste, such as rockets and munitions that have leaked in the past and been sealed.

The Army considers all chemical agent munitions and bulk items in storage, except the rockets and leaking munitions, to be nonwaste product, not subject to regulatory oversight by the DEQ.

Only about 50 percent of the depot's total munitions and 16 percent of the total weight of chemical agents stored there can be regulated by the DEQ, Thomas said.

The DEQ believes all chemical agent munitions and bulk items should be classified as hazardous waste so the state has the ability to make sure they are being handled properly and can protect Oregon's citizens from chemical releases.

That's why the DEQ wants oversight of the stockpile, which includes bombs and munitions capable of being used. Then, the DEQ could independently test and monitor all the storage igloos to make sure the agent isn't being released.

Woloszyn said the Army is not opposed to the proposal.

"We have been working with the state on this," Woloszyn said. "Added safety and protection are always our concern, and increasing protection is a plus."

Wayne Thomas, of the DEQ, said the change would allow the DEQ to require the Army to take special precautions, such as adding carbon filters - to capture chemical agents - to the vents at the top of the igloos. This would prevent the agent from escaping into the atmosphere.

In addition, the DEQ would require the Army to plug the two drainage ports at the base of each igloo so chemicals could not drain outside.

But that already has been done, said Woloszyn.

"The plugs have already been installed," Woloszyn said. "Some of the things, even though not mandated, we are already doing. It's just good business. Right now, we are running tests to see if we need carbon filters."

Karyn Jones of GASP, a citizen's group opposed to the incineration of the stockpile, said the new rules are a step in the right direction.

"It can only improve public safety," Jones said. "Fundamentally, we will always oppose incineration as obsolete technology, but we are glad to see (the DEQ) is taking these aggressive steps. I think the DEQ has been a little lax but not because its employees haven't wanted to be tougher. It's because the rules and regulations have held them back."

The public comment for the new proposal ends Jan. 10. Written comments can be presented at the hearing or to the DEQ at DEQ, Chemical Demilitarization Program, Attn: Thomas G. Beam, 256 E. Hurlburt Ave., Suite 105, Hermiston, OR 97838.

 

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