[CPEO-MEF] PRESS RELEASE: Feingold Questions Army Burning

[Laura Olah <info@cswab.org>]

CSWAB

Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger

E12629 Weigand's Bay South - Merrimac, WI  53561

Phone (608) 643-3124 - Fax (608) 643-0005

Email: info@cswab.com - Website: www.cswab.com

September 18, 2003

 


PRESS RELEASE


For Immediate Release

 

For more information contact:


Laura Olah, CSWAB (608)643-3124


 

 

Feingold Questions Army Burning 

MERRIMAC - In response to community concerns about the release of
contaminants during the proposed burning of buildings at Badger Army
Ammunition Plant, Senator Russ Feingold has sent a letter to the U.S.
Army concerning the viability of less polluting alternatives.  

Feingold is specifically questioning whether or not the Army evaluated
alternative technologies that might be effective in addressing the
contaminants present in buildings and would limit the emissions of
pollutants to the environment.  Feingold also wants to know if
alternative technologies would pose fewer risks to building
deconstruction workers than open burning.  

According to Feingold's letter, the U.S. Army Environmental Center has
developed a Hot Gas Decontamination (HGD) technology which uses
controlled heat to volatilize and thermally decompose the explosive
contamination.  The technology, which has been demonstrated at
Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant, Hawthorne Army Depot, and Alabama Army
Ammunition Plant, was proven to be effective in reducing environmental
emissions in decontaminating explosive-contaminated equipment and
facilities, Feingold said. 

In a companion letter to Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger, a local
community-based group that is watch dogging the cleanup and conversion
of the closing base, Feingold responded favorably to the group's request
for federal funding to research and develop alternatives to open
burning.  

As part of the FY 2004 Defense appropriations bill, Feingold supported
funding for the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program
(SERDP), a federal program designed to identify, develop, and transition
environmental technologies that relate directly to defense mission
accomplishment.  

"The bill is now before the House-Senate conference committee which is
working to develop a final FY2004 Defense appropriations bill," Feingold
said.  "As the conference proceeds, I will monitor funding in the SERDP
account closely.  If you have information regarding the Army's FY 2005
SERDP needs at Badger, I would appreciate receiving it."

CSWAB, together with other members of the Badger Reuse Committee, is
seeking the highest quality cleanup at Badger.  

"Members of committee, which includes local, state, and tribal
government, unanimously agree that cleanup should pose no risk to people
or the environment," said Laura Olah, Executive Director of CSWAB.  "The
final reuse plan stipulates cleanup should not contaminate nor pose the
threat of additional contamination of the Badger property.  Senator
Feingold's response demonstrates his commitment to a safe and healthy
future for Badger."

-END-

 

--

Laura Olah, Executive Director

Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger

E12629 Weigands Bay S

Merrimac, WI 53561

phone: (608)643-3124

fax: (608)643-0005

email: info@cswab.org

website: www.cswab.org

 

 

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