The Pueblo plant workforce has begun to dismantle, decontaminate, and package as waste specific systems that helped destroy the chemical weapons stockpile previously stored at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot.

“This disassembly project allows our workers to remain engaged and productive as the new year begins while they await approval of the entire closure plan,” said Walton Levi, site project manager, Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or PCAPP. “It also provides an opportunity to reduce the contamination levels of the plant and instill a bit of motivation for a workforce that’s anxious to move forward.”

To allow this work to commence, state regulators have approved a temporary authorization that allows PCAPP to disassemble some equipment and contain waste generated by this activity, Levi said. The Class 2 Permit Modification Request (PMR) B073, Equipment Disassembly and Containerization, identified specific equipment that workers have since begun to disassemble, including: three Projectile/Mortar Disassembly systems, including the three robot gripper assemblies; 10 Cavity Access Machines, and the two robotic arms from the Munitions Washout System; and previously abandoned equipment/piping from the spent decontamination solution system.

During operations, most of the above equipment was used to disassemble and rinse mustard agent from munitions. It is now itself being disassembled and placed in waste containers. The containers then will be placed in permitted storage as hazardous waste.

Once the closure plan is approved, this newly generated waste will be shipped off-site to a treatment, storage and disposal facility for final disposal. The disassembly work for this equipment is expected to take about two months. As always, workforce, community and environmental safety is the top priority.

A public meeting was held Jan. 10 to discuss the specifics of the permit modification.