Chemical depot officials worry over funding

Published Dec. 6, 2001

Karen Zacharias
Herald Oregon bureau

IRRIGON - Officials from Umatilla and Morrow counties are monitoring more than just the happenings at the Umatilla Chemical Depot.

They are tracking the politics at Alabama's chemical depot.

Umatilla County Commissioner Dennis Doherty reported Wednesday that Alabama officials have tapped into an additional $40.5 million from the Department of Defense to help prepare for the incineration of chemical agents.

"The next eight to 10 weeks are pivotal for us. We need to stand our ground," Doherty told the governing panel of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program. The board held its monthly meeting at the Stokes Landing Senior Center in Irrigon.

"Alabama has broken down a new wall. We need to find out if all the water flows through that wall or not," Doherty said.

County officials fear the Department of Defense may rob Umatilla's coffers to pay for Alabama's.

"We may have to take stronger action if we find out we're being shortchanged," said John Wenholz, Morrow County commissioner.

So far, defense department officials have promised they are not going to tap into funds set aside for projects at the Umatilla depot site, Doherty said.

But, he said, "It still isn't clear to us where the money is going to come from."

And even less clear is just how much money is available for the Umatilla depot. President Bush announced Wednesday that he is prepared to veto the appropriations bill unless what he viewed as "excessive" funds for homeland security were removed, said an aide representing U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.

"We are moving into a critical period," added Cmdr. Bev Venell of the Oregon State Police. "The budget hasn't even been passed by Congress yet."

No one on the oversight committee could be sure that there would be enough funds to carry out an emergency response exercise with the depot planned for Jan. 26.

"We don't know if we have the resources to conduct the exercise," said Chris Brown, also of the state police.

Hopefully, that question will be resolved before January's meeting, Doherty said.

 

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