CSEPP to get an additional $4.1 million in 2004

This story was published Thu, Dec 18, 2003

By Kathleen Gilstrap
Herald Oregon bureau

IRRIGON -- The agency charged with ensuring the safety of the communities surrounding the Umatilla Chemical Depot will receive an additional $4.1 million to spend in 2004.

The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program board of governors heard about the additional money Wednesday during a conference call
with government officials from Washington, D.C. That call took place shortly before the board's monthly meeting in Irrigon.

CSEPP officials originally requested $12.9 million for the coming year but were told in November that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had only
$5.6 million to give them. At the time, FEMA and Department of the Army officials said they still were looking for funds to make up the difference.

CSEPP will get about $9.7 million of the $12.9 million requested, but that didn't make everyone happy.

John Wenholz, chairman of the governing board, said CSEPP had to bring political pressure on federal agencies to get that money, despite the fact officials in Washington, D.C., promised the communities near the depot the money to provide maximum security for residents.

"We shouldn't have had to get the governor involved. We shouldn't have had to get senators involved. We shouldn't have had to go that far," Wenholz said.

Some governing board members also are displeased that the agency won't get, at least for now, about $3 million to design an evacuation plan for the Hermiston area in the event of an accident or emergency at the chemical depot.

The depot, 30 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.FEMA officials aren't convinced an evacuation plan is necessary to reduce risk to the community.

Barry Anderson, Oregon CSEPP program manager for FEMA Region 10, said the agency is paying for a study to decide if the dollars should be provided for an evacuation plan. Preliminary findings could be available in January, he said.

But officials from Morrow and Umatilla counties criticized FEMA for not including them in making the decision.

"I have a real concern about the process," said Casey Beard, emergency manager for Morrow County. Beard is coordinating the evacuation project for CSEPP. "The fact that there's no consultation bothers me.

"How can they make a valid decision by January when they're not looking at what we're doing?"

Anderson said that "no options are closed."

Board member Robert Flournoy asked what CSEPP was supposed to tell the people who live near the depot about the evacuation plan.

"Tell them FEMA won't fund it," Wenholz said.

But Cheryl Humphrey, spokeswoman for Umatilla County CSEPP, said the public is not confused about what to do in the event of a chemical accident at the depot. Education programs have taught residents to shelter in place in their homes, usually in an inside room.

"We will continue to suggest they shelter in place," Humphrey said. "That's the message that needs to be reinforced."

n Reporter Kathleen Gilstrap can be reached at the Herald's Oregon bureau at 541-567-4459 or via e-mail at kgilstrap@tri-cityherald.com.

 

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