This is the Jan. 31 Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission online meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss activities at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot, as well as planning for the closure of the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP).
Meeting highlights are outlined below:
• At approximately 0:00, the CAC meeting is called to order by Irene Kornelly, chair, CAC. Agenda items are discussed and approved. Minutes from the Dec. 6, 2023, CAC meeting are approved.
• At approximately 1:15, Tamika Atkins, interim program executive officer, ACWA, addresses the CAC.
• At approximately 4:35, Col. Rodney McCutcheon, commander, PCD, discusses progress on the PCD closure plan. He introduces the new PCD public affairs officer Rick Rzepka. McCutcheon discusses the delay in the Reduction in Force (RIF) that was scheduled for March 2024, which now will occur 60 days after receipt of the RIF letter from the Army. He assures the CAC that although the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) shows PCD closure in September 2024, more than 100 positions at PCD will continue to support the ACWA mission through PCAPP closure.
• At approximately 10:04, Kornelly asks if environmental remediation will continue.
• At approximately 10:50, Ken Griffin, citizen member, CAC, asks about the current and future number of positions at PCD.
• At approximately 11:50, John Norton, citizen member, CAC, asks when the PCD commander is scheduled to depart.
• At approximately 12:50, Russell DeSalvo, member, CAC, and CEO, PuebloPlex, discusses NDAA activities and vows to work collaboratively for a seamless transition. He says PuebloPlex submitted a public comment on the PCAPP closure plan, and he looks forward to having discussions with CDPHE about those comments.
• At approximately 16:32, Laura Stalford, program manager, PuebloPlex, discusses the Pueblo Area Defense Diversification Act and workforce transition and community outreach activities.
• At approximately, 20:00, Julianna Mahr, hazardous waste permitting unit leader, CDPHE, said CDPHE approved one permit modification (B070) and one Temporary Authorization (B073) since the last CAC meeting. She noted that the public comment period on B073 continues through Feb. 6.
• At approximately 27:00, Kornelly asks about review of the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) closure plan relative to the PCD permit renewal and closure plan.
• At approximately 30:50, Norton, chair, Biotreatment Utilization Group, introduces Patrick Sullivan, environmental manager/field office scientist, PCAPP, who provides an update on the end of biotreatment, including inventory and overall status of the Biotreatment Area (BTA) systems, sludge removal and disposal.
• At approximately 43:00, Norton asks about the final destination of the sludge and permits required for closure of the BTA. He also asks whether decisions have been made on the reuse of the bioreactor.
• At approximately 44:44, Todd Ailes, project manager, Bechtel Pueblo Team, provides an update on safety and BROKK readiness activities. He shows a brief video of BROKK operations.
• At approximately 54:05, Troy Worthen, plant manager, PCAPP, discusses the progress of the limited equipment disassembly allowed in the recently approved TA B073.
• At approximately 55:20, Walton Levi, site project manager, PCAPP, displays a new BTA scorecard with numbers zeroed out as of Jan. 1 and asks the CAC for feedback.
• At approximately 56:56, Worthen provides an update on SDC activities, including eventual relocation of the units to Maryland and Alabama and the move to minimal staffing until the closure permit is approved.
• At approximately 59:52, Ailes provides updates on staff reductions and workforce transition efforts.
• At approximately 1:01:13, Levi discusses recent visitors to the site. He summarizes recent accomplishments, including the PEO ACWA Washington, D.C., End of Destruction Operations event, Centers for Disease Control 40th anniversary of chemical demilitarization oversight, and Department of Defense Acquisition Award and Arms Control Association Persons of the Year award.
• At approximately 1:07:18, Levi discusses departure of three longtime Pueblo Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office (ORO) staff members: Ron Eccher, Rosemary Patterson and Maleah Slade.
• At approximately 1:10:13, Norton asks about the location of the exhibits that had been displayed in the ORO.
Next scheduled CAC and subcommittee meetings: 3 p.m. MT Feb. 28, 2024
PCAPP is a state-of-the-art facility that safely destroyed the chemical weapons stockpile at PCD in Pueblo, Colorado. For more project information and news, visit the PCAPP homepage on the ACWA website: [ Ссылка ]
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