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Monday, June 15, 2009
DEPOT: Court takes no action on chemical weapon issue

By Herald Staff

Hermiston Work to incinerate mustard agent at the Umatilla Chemical Depot is continuing despite a court hearing last week.

The Government Accountability Project, or GAP, was in the Oregon Circuit Court for Multnomah County Friday to request a temporary restraining order to stop incineration.

After four hours the court agreed to continue the discussion of the case June 26, said GAP attorney Richard Condit.

GAP believes the burning of the mustard agent poses a serious health threat to residents of Oregon and Washington because of the mercury in the chemical weapon. It believes the risk to children, in particular, has been underestimated. Alternatives to destroy the chemical weapon, including chemical neutralization, are available, according to GAP. Oregon law requires the “best available technology” to be used to dispose of the waste.

Oregon picked incineration years ago as the best way to destroy the mustard agent and that choice was reaffirmed last year in a thorough review that included chemical neutralization, according to Bruce Henrickson, depot spokesman.

The U.S. Army believes incineration is safe and protective of the community and the environment, he said.

Enhanced carbon filters have been added to the stack emission filters to ensure mercury cannot escape, he said. No one lives within several miles of the stacks.

The campaign to incinerate the mustard agent began June 4 and the first of about 2,600 ton containers of mustard was destroyed in the metal parts furnace the day before the court hearing.

GAP also is asking the court to review additional issues, including the state’s temporary authorization to start the incineration work and whether required permits are in place.