Chemical Disposal Facility weekly status report 24 March 2011, Depot honors victims of 1944 igloo explosion.

Several relatives of the victims of the 1944 igloo explosion that killed six depot workers attended a memorial service Monday at the Umatilla Chemical Depot.

The March 24 ceremony coincided with the exact anniversary of the event in 1944. Depot Commander Lt. Col. Kris Perkins honored the “service and sacrifice” of those who died when 264 500-pound bombs in igloo B1014 exploded at 9:29 p.m. He also highlighted their “families’ sacrifice.”

More

Monthly CSEPP Siren and Tone Alert Radio Test Tues, March 29

The monthly test of tone alert radios and warning sirens in southern Benton County will take place Tuesday, March 29, at noon. The test is conducted by Benton County Emergency Management and is part of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) for the Umatilla Chemical Depot located near Hermiston, Oregon http://ow.ly/4oEy3

Umatilla Chemical Depot Receives Fish and Wildlife Service National Conservation Award

The U.S. Army’s Umatilla Chemical Depot in Oregon received the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2010 Military Conservation Partner Award recognizing an extraordinary conservation partnership that, among other highlights, has provided numerous conservation benefits for the burrowing owl and long-billed curlew.

Rowan Gould, the Service's Acting Director, made the announcement at the 76th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, citing the Depot’s exemplary partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state agencies, tribal governments, and non-government organizations.

More

Guest speakers at 1944 Memorial Ceremony March 21

Umatilla Chemical Depot, Hermiston, Ore. – Don Barclay, Deputy Director of the Army’s Chemical Materials Agency, Aberdeen, Md., and Maj. Gen. Raymond Rees, Oregon State Adjutant General, will be the guest speakers at a memorial ceremony, Monday, March 21, to honor those who died in a 1944 igloo explosion.

CMA oversees six chemical weapons depots across the nation. Gen. Rees commands the Oregon Army National Guard. This will be the 67th anniversary of the event and the first time

More

Final touches being made on rinsate system

Installation of the Rinsate Collection System (RCS) is complete. All the piping, mechanical equipment and electrical lines have been installed, and just a few minor touch-ups remain to be completed. System testing has begun and will continue for the next couple weeks. The system was designed to collect rinsate, or water, used to break up sludge, known as “heel,” from ton containers during the agent removal process. Prior to this system’s creation, rinsatewas pumped into an empty “recipient” ton containerand then processed through the Metal Parts Furnace (MPF).Once the RCS is operational, rinsate will be transferred directly to the tanks shown above and then processed in one of the two Liquid Incinerators (LICs). Following Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approval, the system is expected to go into operation in April.

More (.pdf)