Monthly Umatilla Depot and community siren test, Tuesday, June 29

The monthly Umatilla Depot and community siren test will be noon, Tuesday, June 29.  See news release.

Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility weekly project update - June 17, 2010.

The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency (CMA) has announced Mr. Gary M. Anderson as the new site project manager (SPM) for the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility

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Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility weekly project update - June 10, 2010

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has recommended that the state’s Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) deny (or take no action on) a petition for reconsideration of the best available technology (BAT) for the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (UMCDF) as it pertains to the treatment of spent activated carbon.

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Umtilla weekly update Jun 10

Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility weekly project update - June 3, 2010

A couple years ago, the Umatilla Chemical Depot began a program to assist the burrowing owl population that exists here. The owl, a member of the endangered species list, has responded to the depot’s help by increasing its local population. In fact, they’ve multiplied to the point where depot motorists must keep a watchful eye out for flightless young chicks attempting to cross roads. But, burrowing owls aren’t the only wildlife that drivers must be aware of. The depot is also home to pronghorn, coyotes, badgers, snakes, several types of birds and an occasional cougar.
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Weekly Status Update 5/27/10.

Agent Trial Burn on Schedule.  The mustard Agent Trial Burn (ATB) that began April 29 is on schedule to be completed before the end of June. The UMCDF team has completed Conditions 1and 2 of the Metal Parts Furnace (MPF) ATB.

Weekly Status Update 5/2710.

Washington Benton County Monthly Test of CSEPP Sirens & Tone Alert Radios

The monthly test of tone alert radios and warning sirens in southern Benton County will take place Tuesday, May 25, 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.

The first part of the two-part test involves the activation of the 20 CSEPP sirens located in southern Benton County near the Columbia River. When activated for the test, the sirens transmit a verbal message in English and Spanish stating that it is only a test followed by the sounding of the Westminster chimes. If there were an actual emergency, the sirens would blare a three-minute tone followed by instructions in both English and Spanish.

Immediately following the activation of the sirens, the tone alert radios are tested. The radios will sound a tone for eight seconds, followed by a verbal message in English and Spanish stating that it is only a test. If there were an actual emergency, the tone alert radios would blare a tone that increases in volume for about 25 seconds. The tone would be followed by instructions and information about the emergency in both English and Spanish.

Benton County Emergency Management conducts the tests on the last Tuesday of each month. Additional information on CSEPP can be obtained by calling Benton County Emergency Management at (509) 628-2600 or toll free at (800) 841-7953. CSEPP information is also available on the Internet at www.bces.wa.gov or www.csepp.net.

News Release