Changes proposed for Umatilla depot incinerator permit

Published Nov. 30, 2001

Karen Zacharias
Herald Oregon bureau

HERMISTON - It appears the only folks who fail to show up at public hearings these days are the public.

Such was the case Thursday when the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality held a public hearing regarding changes it's proposing regarding the Umatilla Chemical Depot incinerator permit.

The proposed changes would require the Army to get written consent from the state's environmental agency before burning surrogate munitions, said Wayne Thomas, manager for the agency's Chemical Demilitarization Program. The changes would include written consent from the Environmental Quality Commission before actual munition burning, which is expected to begin in 2003.

Of the nearly 20 people who turned out for the hearing, only one offered comment regarding the changes. All of the others were representatives of various state and federal agencies, including the Army.

Karyn Jones supported the permit modifications. Jones said she represented GASP, a group of citizens opposed to incineration, as well as the Oregon Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club.

Jones said the changes are necessary to protect the public and the environment. Moreover, she said, "We'd like to see the department go beyond what they're proposing."

Jones said she isn't worried about delays that could arise from the permit changes.

"The first priority should be to keep the public safe and to protect the environment regardless of any potential delays that will occur," she said.

Thomas said so far all delays have been a result of poor management on behalf of the Army, not because of the state's regulatory oversight. The Army recently held public hearings of its own to explain why the incineration project is more than a year behind schedule. Army officials blamed the slowdown on operational issues, such as the gelling of aging munitions.

Thomas said he's not sure whether to be disappointed that people don't turn out for public hearings.

"It could be that the public trusts us and that's why they don't feel the need to show up," he said.

But Jones offered another perspective.

"The people I've talked to want to come and speak but they are intimidated - scared of looking foolish. I think they need to come and say what their concerns are," she said.

 

Copyright 2002 Tri-City Herald. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.