Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, January 8, 2002

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Rood. Suit* 304 Lutfwrvillo, Morylond 2 1093 315 Connon Моим Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Henry Fawell Tuesday, January 8, 2002 202/225-3061 Statement from Congressman Ehrlich Regarding Accelerated Disposal of Mustard Gas at Aberdeen Proving Ground WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Ehrlich (MD-2) commended the U.S. Army and Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) officials today for announcing a proposal to accelerate the destruction of 1,621 tons of Mustard Gas, a chemical warfare agent, which is currently stored at APG. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “This proposal clearly demonstrates the Bush Administration’s commitment to work with our local government to protect public safety and promote environmental integrity. By accelerating this critical process, we destroy a potential terrorist target three years before the original proposal’s scheduled completion.” Specifically, the accelerated disposal project will concentrate treatment of the Mustard Gas to APG’s Biotreatment Chemical Building, rather than follow a previous plan to transfer the agent between multiple buildings for multiple stages of treatment. The agent will be completely neutralized on-site using the Chemical Agent Transfer System before following a proposed plan to treat and dispose of the containers at an off-site commercial post. Destruction of the actual gas agent is scheduled to begin in July and will be completed by December, 2002. At that time, the Mustard Gas containers will be transferred to the off-site commercial facility for follow-up treatment, which is scheduled to be completed in 2004. Under the Army’s original plan, final treatment of the containers would not have been completed until 2006. Congressman Ehrlich continued, “APG has put the region’s safety first by meeting all environmental requirements in a much more timely process, and by working closely with community officials prior to the endorsement of this proposal.” ###