Depot evacuation plan lacks funding

This story was published Sat, Dec 27, 2003

By Kathleen Gilstrap
Herald Oregon bureau

HERMISTON -- Officials from the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program were asked years ago to come up with an evacuation program in the event of a chemical weapons accident at the Umatilla Chemical Depot.

But so far, only $1.5 million of the approximately $11 million requested has been funded.

CSEPP officials were hoping for another $3 million in its 2004 budget to make improvements to Elm Street, near Wal-Mart, athletic fields and an aquatic center currently under construction. All attract out-of-town visitors who would not have a place to take refuge in case of an emergency.

The counties found out last week that there would be an additional $4.1 million for next year, but that doesn't include money for the second phase of an evacuation program.

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

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, possibly beginning next summer.

FEMA, which funnels money from the Army to fund CSEPP programs at the nation's eight chemical weapons disposal sites, is paying for a study to decide if an evacuation plan is necessary to reduce risk to the community. Results could be available in January, which would help FEMA officials decide whether to pay for the next two phases of the evacuation plan.

An additional $6 million will be requested from the federal government in CSEPP's 2005 budget to make improvements to Highland Street and neighboring roads.

Casey Beard, emergency manager for Morrow County, said the improvements would make it possible for Hermiston residents to evacuate, as well as visitors.

The CSEPP program has actively educated residents near the depot to "shelter in place," using measures to protect homes and businesses in the event of an emergency.

Beard said he still is committed to that concept.

But, he said, FEMA asked the counties to take a multi-strategy approach to safety that included evacuation plans.

Morrow County took the lead on the Hermiston evacuation project because Umatilla County CSEPP workers were busy developing a radio system that ties emergency workers in the two counties together. That project is set for completion next spring.

The Hermiston City Council, the Oregon Department of Transportation and Morrow County signed an agreement Monday to implement the first phase of an evacuation plan.

The $1.5 million project will finance a wireless broadband system that will allow Hermiston police to control traffic lights on the north-south Highway 395 corridor during an evacuation. Traffic flow would be improved and let vehicles move out of town faster.

"The majority of that work will be done this spring," Beard said.

 

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