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CSEPP safety programs have $5.6 millionThis story was published Thu, Nov 13, 2003
HERMISTON - The bad news is that the Oregon Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program will receive less than half the money it requested from the federal government for 2004. CSEPP will get just $5.6 million of the $12.9 million the group wanted for its public safety programs. The good news is that Federal Emergency Management Agency and Army officials are looking for money to make up the difference. Barry Anderson, a FEMA representative who works with the state's CSEPP program, told governing board members during a meeting Wednesday that Oregon's $5.6 million is available now. "What we need to know is where the community wants it to go," Anderson said. But governing board members said the money will cover only basic operating costs for CSEPP, with just about $200,000 left over for public safety programs in the communities surrounding the Umatilla Chemical Depot. The depot, 35 miles south of the Tri-Cities, stores 220,604 munitions and containers filled with 7.4 million pounds of deadly nerve and mustard agents. The chemicals are set for incineration probably beginning next summer. | |
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