News

NO PUBLIC COMMENT OFFERED ON ARSENAL'S BURN PERMIT

By Amy Riggin/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 09:30 AM CDT

It appears that local residents don’t have much to say about continued chemical weapons incineration.

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality held a meeting Monday at White Hall City Hall to give the public a chance to provide input on the Pine Bluff Arsenal’s chemical weapons disposal permit renewal. Other than representatives of the arsenal’s disposal facility and ADEQ, no one from the general public attended the meeting.

In a brief presentation outlining the chemical weapons disposal process, ADEQ Deputy Director J. Ryan Benefield said the 45-day public comment period will remain open until July 7. If no comments are received, the permit will be issued as submitted. There could be modifications or even another public meeting if input is offered, he said.

Stu Soffer, a member of the arsenal’s Citizens Advisory Commission, commented on “the high level of confidence we have” in those involved in the burn. They include ADEQ, the U.S. Army and the contractor hired for disposal, Washington Defense Group, EG&G Division of URS Corp.

“We’ve got the highest regard for their ability,” he said, adding, “I believe the community also has the same high degree of confidence. I think that confidence is evident here tonight.”

Soffer predicted at last month’s commission meeting that “there’s not going to be anybody at White Hall City Hall for the public hearing.”

Several commissioners commented on how the facility here had not received the kind of public opposition as other disposal sites have.

Derick Warrick, hazardous waste engineer supervisor for ADEQ, said the facility is processing 905.5 lbs. of mustard per hour in its liquid incinerator and 318.75 lbs. per hour in its metal parts furnace. ADEQ approved a draft permit renewal May 21, allowing the facility to increase from 50 percent capacity to 75 percent.

The public hearing at White Hall was required by law to allow public feedback on the renewal, Warrick said.

“This permit will get them through the mustard containers and through closure,” he said, adding, “We’re hoping not to get any opposition.”

Warrick said after the meeting Monday that the department had not received any comments by mail either.

David Reber, project general manager for contractor URS, said he expects the facility to reach 100 percent capacity, but did not give a timeline for the increase.

As of June 15, the facility had destroyed 704 containers holding nearly 1.2 million lbs. of mustard agent, which was 19 percent of the total mustard containers to be destroyed. It had incinerated 31.8 percent of the total chemical agent stored there originally.