Umatilla depot incinerator tour opens chemical destruction process to view

This story was published Sun, Jul 15, 2001

By Mary Hopkin
Herald Oregon bureau

HERMISTON - The Umatilla Chemical Depot's parking lot was packed early Saturday with people wanting to get a first peak at massive plant where 12 percent of the nation's chemical stockpile will be destroyed.

Steve Meyers, of the depot's Outreach Office, said reservations filled up quickly for the 300 spaces available on the first-ever public tour of the facility.

It took the Army four years and $567 million to build the plant 7 miles west of Hermiston. The plant has four large incinerators that will be used to destroy the 7.4 million pounds of deadly nerve and mustard agents that were brought to the depot during the Cold War.

The tour attracted a variety of people from across Oregon and Washington. Many were families of depot workers who wanted to see where their loved ones worked. Several grange groups also took the tour.

Others, such as Brenda Hector, were just curious.

"I've lived in Hermiston since 1970 and have a lot of friends who have worked out here, so I just wanted to see it," Hector said.

Plant employee Carla Gutcher of Irrigon joined her husband, Jon, and daughter Becky for the tour. Gutcher, who will be operating the plant's water and power utilities, wanted her family to get a better idea of how the incinerator would work.

The tour guides, all plant employees, gave visitors a step-by-step tour of the incineration process.

Visitors also were given a brief tour and history of the depot and taken inside an empty storage igloo - identical to those that house the chemical weapons.

Although members of the group asked questions about how the plant and incinerators would operate, none appeared concerned about the potential for major spills or accidents.

"I think it's pretty safe," Hector said. "Something astronomical would have to happen for it to affect us (in Hermiston)."

Becky Gutcher was more curious about where her mother worked than worried about the potential for a problem.

Construction on the plant was completed in late May, but it could be fall 2002 before incineration actually starts. All the incinerator's components, every valve, socket, motor and gauge, must be tested to make sure it's in working order. In addition, the Department of Environmental Quality still is perusing Army requests to modify the original pant and incinerator permits.

Another public tour will be offered April 18. For more information, call the Outreach Office at 564-9339.

 

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