Published: August 27, 2008 08:06 am      

Lawmakers proud of decision about BGCA’s response

A recent policy change at the Blue Grass Chemical Activity (BGCA), located at the Blue Grass Army Depot, has received accolades from U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, D-Sixth District, and Sens. Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning, R-Ky.

In July, former BGCA Commander Lt. Col. Thomas Closs, submitted a proposal which would have rescinded a policy mandating that all local emergency responders be informed of nerve agent leaks within five minutes. However, outcry from community leaders and elected officials helped retain this current safety policy.

“The senators and I look forward to the final, safe disposal of these chemical weapons, but we must not forget about the immediate safety of the citizens in Madison County and the surrounding area,” Chandler said. “In light of recent leaks, keeping these lines of communication between the depot and first responders open is absolutely crucial.”

Chandler, McConnell and Bunning drafted a letter Aug. 13 to new BGCA Commander Lt. Col. David Musgrave encouraging him to retract Closs’ proposal.

“It is our position that close communication with all those involved in preparedness, whether it be on-post or off, is a key ingredient in protecting the workers and the civilian population surrounding this chemical weapons stockpile,” the letter states. “Timely information of any incidents associated with storage and disposal is critical, not only for response capabilities, but for maintaining trust between BGCA and the general public.”

The letter suggests that recent reports of leaks may give more reason to increase communication with the public, rather than take measures to diminish communications.

Musgrave responded to the letter Aug. 14 pledging to keep “an open and candid dialogue.”

“I regret the unnecessary disturbance generated by the outgoing commander’s correspondence,” Musgrave wrote. “The memorandum of agreement was a joint effort and it was not within his lone authority to alter the requirements or any portion(s) of the agreement without a consensus of the signatories.”

The memorandum of agreement Musgrave is referring to is the initial Alert and Notification of a Chemical Accident or Incident Agreement between Blue Grass Chemical Activity, Blue Grass Army Depot and Madison County established on April 27, 2006.

“BGCA’s motto, ‘Safety For All!,’ is not just a slogan; rather our utmost priority in every task we undertake,” Musgrave wrote.

The BGCA is the agency responsible for the storage, monitoring and safe disposal of the chemical weapons being stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.