The Nation - News from Dec. 31, 1987

The Army said it intends to destroy potentially dangerous aging chemical weapons in closed incinerators at storage sites in eight states, rather than in one or two incinerators. However, the Army said a “final decision” on the destruction plans cannot be made for at least 30 days to allow for additional public comment and review. An Army spokesman was optimistic that the necessary construction permits would be obtained from the eight states. Individual environmental impact statements for each site will be prepared, he said. The weapons, most of which were made in the 1950s and 1960s, are stored at sites in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Oregon, and Utah. Congress has ordered that the obsolete weapons be destroyed by Sept. 30, 1994.