The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, or KDEP, has tentatively approved and released for public notice two permit modification requests related to hydrolysate disposal and rocket motor storage changes at the Blue Grass plant.

“What this means is that KDEP has reviewed the modification requests and determined them technically complete, and has tentatively decided to issue a revised draft permit,” said John McArthur, environmental manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “The public now has 45 days to comment on the draft permit before KDEP makes any final decisions.”

The permit modification requests submitted by the systems contractor cover the off-site shipment and disposal of agent hydrolysate, the product of the neutralization of chemical agent; and the addition of 29 storage igloos on the Blue Grass Army Depot to temporarily hold non-contaminated rocket motors previously separated from their warheads. The 45-day public comment period ends Sept. 8.

“The draft permit actions include conditions required under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Commonwealth of Kentucky statutes and regulations to ensure that all hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal activities are protective of human health and the environment,” said Brandon May, environmental scientist, KDEP. “The permitting process gives the public the opportunity to evaluate the permittee’s ability to comply with the hazardous waste management regulations.”

A public meeting will be held regarding these permit modification requests at 6 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Perkins Building on the Eastern Kentucky University campus. For access to the environmental documents and information on how to comment and attend the meeting, please follow this link.