The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (KDEP) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 issued three draft permits related to the Explosive Destruction Technology (EDT) facility at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) Aug. 7.

“The environmental permitting process allows for several opportunities for public participation,” said John McArthur, environmental manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “It ensures community members have an opportunity to evaluate the standards to which BGCAPP will be held by our regulating agencies.”

KDEP tentatively approved Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permit modification requests for an EDT facility at BGCAPP and to sample mustard munitions to meet international treaty obligations. The EPA is proposing to issue a Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments permit for RCRA organic air emissions for the EDT facility.

“We’re pleased to have reached this milestone in the permitting process for eliminating the chemical stockpile,” said Dale Burton, Blue Grass Army Depot Section, KDEP. “It has taken considerable effort by people on both sides of the table to develop the detailed applications and draft permits that we are now submitting for full public review and comment.”

Copies of the draft permits can be viewed at the Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office at 1000 Commercial Drive in Richmond, Kentucky, and five other information repositories in Madison and Estill counties.

From now until Sept. 21, comments related to the draft permits can be submitted directly to KDEP and EPA for consideration, said McArthur. Additionally, a public meeting will be held Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Perkins Building at Eastern Kentucky University.

To view copies of the permits and for more information about submitting questions and comments, visit the Environmental Activities page.