The public is invited to comment on a permit modification request to support the destruction of GB nerve agent rocket warheads at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

The Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office will host a public meeting for this permit modification request at 5:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 23 at 1000 Commercial Drive, Suite 2, in Richmond, Kentucky.

According to the application provided to the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, the request would allow an increase in the feed rates of undrained warheads in canisters at the Static Detonation Chamber, or SDC, 2000 facility. It is part of the support of the proposed Earth-Covered Magazine, or ECM, rocket operations.

“This submittal requests an increase in the throughput rate for the SDC 2000,” said Bill Buchanan, environmental permitting manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “This request is supported by testing and analysis that demonstrates the facility is capable of treating warheads in canisters at the increased feed rate.”

A separate permit filed previously would allow the plant to add the same type of equipment already permitted and in use in the main plant in the ECM to handle rockets with problematic conditions, such as gelled or crystallized agent, grease and cracked bursters. Warheads will be separated from their rocket motors, containerized and transported for final destruction in the SDC 2000.

Information about these permit modification requests can be found on the Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives website. The 60-day public comment period closes March 27.

For those who might need assistance during the meeting, please submit requests for alternate formats, sign language interpreters and other reasonable accommodations as soon as possible but no later than Feb. 21 via email to Mark York at mhyork@bechtel.com.