Several allegations out of 40 concerning operations at the Blue Grass Army Depot will be turned over to federal criminal investigators, according to a site inspection report released Thursday from the Federal Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet and the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection - Department of Waste Management (KDEP-DWM).
Four items were included in the report that could result in criminal charges, including the three most serious, which are allegations of a cover-up of an employee’s exposure to harmful levels of chemical agent, inconsistencies in monitoring log signatures and the demotion of an employee who refused to sign off on a standard operating procedure.
Those allegations with a potential criminal nature have been sent to the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet’s Office of the Inspector General, and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division,” according to the 35-page site inspection report.
Despite the few allegations characterized as “potentially criminal,” the KDEP-DWM found several of the allegations to be either false or have no convicting evidence.
The complainants bringing forth the allegations are remaining anonymous at this time, according to the report.
Other serious allegations are complaints “about monitoring deficiencies, operating procedures, systematic operational failures and miscellaneous problems in the abilities of instruments and personnel to perform the sensitive task of monitoring the chemical weapons stockpile housed at the Blue Grass Army Depot, and more specifically, the Blue Grass Chemical Activity,” as stated in the inspection report.
The investigation began Sept. 1, 2006, and is a very lengthy process, said Dick Sloan, public affairs officer for the Blue Grass Chemical Agency (BGCA), which is the agency in charge of overseeing the proper maintenance and surveillance of the depot’s 70,000 M55 rockets containing the nerve agents VX, GB and Mustard.
“The investigation has been ongoing for well over a year and the KDEP has asked us for thousands of documents and we have provided everything they’ve asked for and more in an effort to assist them in this investigation,” Sloan said.
After investigating the accusations for several months, the findings discovered were “related to issues that are civil in nature, and pertain to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS), Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KAR) and the non-chemical and chemical storage permits.”
Several of the 40 allegations fell into the “administrative” category, Sloan said. This means that the allegation referred to some form of paperwork.
However, just because some of the allegations were found to be illegitimate and only three are being considered “potentially criminal,” it still is and should be a great concern to the community, according to Craig Williams, director of the Berea-based Chemical Weapons Working Group that has for many years served as a watchdog to ensure the aging weapons of mass destruction are stored and disposed as safely and as quickly as possible.
“The flavor of this report reflects that some of the most important responsibilities that are supposed to be carried out in the interest of the protection of the (pilot weapons destruction plant) construction work force and the community have fallen well short of what this community has been assured is going on out there,” he said.
Williams also is concerned about the source of the potential investigation.
“It’s the Army investigating the Army,” Williams said. “There’s really no ability for the community to independently verify what we hear from the Army about their capabilities out there (at the depot), because it’s all coming from the same place.”
One particular part of the report gave legitimacy to a complaint from a former BGCA whistleblower.
Donald Van Winkle of Berea released an official affidavit Aug. 25, 2005, summarizing his concerns that leak detection devices for the deadly VX agent at the depot were not properly working. His complaint was filed under the Clean Air Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
“In February or March of this year, I, along with other BGAD employees, attended training sessions with the manufacturer of the air-monitoring equipment we use,” Van Winkle wrote in his affidavit. “During our training, we learned that the (air) sampling (methods) being used at BGAD to monitor the seven igloos that store munitions containing agent VX were incorrect.”
In his affidavit, Van Winkle also revealed: “Conversion pads in the monitors have an effective life of between 10 and 30 days, but are often changed far less frequently.”
VanWinkle is only one of several past whistleblower employees of the Blue Grass Army Depot and/or the Blue Grass Chemical Agency.
According to the site inspection report, VanWinkle’s claims were legitimate: “BGCA should continue to ensure … that the replacement schedule is followed, and replacement occurs for each of the pads in service on at least a three-month interval, as outlined in the Conversion Pad Service Life Study submitted on Aug. 30, 2007.”
Despite the allegations, Sloan remains confident that the BGCA is working every day to ensure the proper storage of the weapons and the safety of employees and the community.
“We welcomed the investigation,” Sloan said. “We did everything we could to help move it forward. If we’re doing something improperly, we want to know about it. My main concern on this report is that while it seems very sensationalist in nature, in fact, it was fairly minor. We were glad to get the report, but my concern is that it could erode the confidence the community has in the Army and how we’re safeguarding this and I don’t ever want to see that happen.”
The BGAD/BGCA have 30 days to issue a formal response to all allegations.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
Local News
Criminal investigation possible at depot
- Local News
-
-
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
-
Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
-
EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
-
Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
-
Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
-
Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
-
Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
-
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
