A new board of local and federal officials will have a say in the startup of Anniston's chemical weapons incinerator if proposed federal legislation is approved in Congress. Rep. Bob Riley, R- Ashland, has drafted a proposal to create a six-member board that would make a recommendation on whether local communities are prepared for the incinerator to begin burning nerve agent before it fires up next year.
The board will be composed of one representative each from the Army, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Academy of Sciences, a delegate chosen by Calhoun County's Congressional delegation, and a delegate chosen by Gov. Don Siegelman.
After a six-month study period, the board would make a recommendation on the community's readiness to Undersecretary of Defense Pete Aldrich. Aldrich could either accept or reject the recommendation. If he rejected the board's findings, the startup would be delayed 90 days while he prepared his case to be heard before Congress.
If such a disagreement arises, Congress may have the final word on whether the destruction of chemical weapons in Calhoun County can begin.
Riley was in committee meetings until late Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.
The proposal passed a House committee vote Wednesday and will move to the full House for a vote, possibly by mid- September.
The board's study would review the current data and would undertake no new research, said Dan Ganz, Riley's chief of staff.
"This was as fair, even-handed approach as we could find," he said.
Riley and Sens. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile and Richard Shelby, R- Tuscaloosa, would select a list of three local residents who have been involved in incineration matters and would submit their choices to Aldrich, the undersecretary for Acquisitions, Logistics and Technology. Aldrich, who oversees the incineration program, would be in charge of organizing the board.
Gov. Siegelman's spokeswoman, Janelle Bell, said Siegelman has not decided whom he would select for the board but "what's important here is that the governor and Congressman Riley are working in harmony on this issue. The governor strongly believes that we have to take steps to destroy the chemical weapons at the depot."
Calhoun County Commissioner Lea Fite said he hopes the existence of the board may create a better dialogue between county and federal officials. County Commissioners have been at odds with federal officials over the community's readiness in the event of an accident at the depot.
Yet Fite said he would not welcome a recommendation to hold back incineration.
"The last thing I want to see is that burn put off," he said. "But maybe the board will create some leverage to get the Army and FEMA down here."
