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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Depot almost done destroying sarin gas projectiles

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

HERMISTON, Ore. – The Umatilla Chemical Depot plans to wrap up the destruction of 8-inch projectiles using sarin gas in 2007.

Depot Spokesman Bruce Henrickson said the last shipment of 8-inch projectiles will be moved from storage to the plant on Tuesday and if all goes well, disposal should begin Wednesday or Thursday.

“As always, no promises because we never know what might stop processing, but that’s our best estimate right now,” he said.

The facility has destroyed more than 13,000 of these projectiles already. After the last one is destroyed, the facility will then start processing the final sarin gas-related munitions in its stockpile, which will take until July.

Henrickson said, to the best of his knowledge, that should be the end of sarin munitions in Oregon.

Once the munitions work is complete, the plant will start focusing on its rocket campaign, which should run until early 2009.

When the rocket project is finished, mustard gas will be the depot’s final campaign.

Henrickson said the disposal work will likely be completed in 2012. But the U.S. Army won’t just pack up and leave. It could take several years to clean and dismantle the facility in accordance with the Department of Environmental Quality’s permit requirements.