The Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or PCAPP, is in the closure phase. From 2015 to 2023, the PCAPP team destroyed more than 780,000 projectiles and mortar rounds containing 2,613 tons of the blister agent mustard. The last chemical weapon in the stockpile in Colorado was destroyed June 22, 2023. The Pueblo plant will be in the closure phase for approximately three years.
The last chemical munition in the declared U.S. stockpile was destroyed July 7, 2023, in Richmond, Kentucky.
Highlights
- Tamika (“Tami”) D. Atkins, acting program executive officer, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA), was selected to lead the ACWA organization as program director, effective Oct. 6.
- Emptied a waste storage area known as G-Block (four former munitions storage igloos) of the highest permitted level of agent-contaminated waste for the first time since the beginning of operations.
- Completed disposal and disposition of all unused dummy munitions designed for testing, single round containers and propellent charge cans from five storage igloos, which were then returned to the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD).
- Shipped more than 201,352 pounds of closure waste to permitted hazardous waste facilities in Deer Trail, Colorado, and near Port Arthur, Texas, between Jan. 1 and Aug. 26.
Safety
- Conducted a collaborative safety fair with PCD for both workforces on Aug. 29, emphasizing the importance of safety both on and off the job.
- As of July 31, 2024, completed 3,828,428 hours without a lost-time accident.
Main Plant
- Submitted the first two Demolition Readiness Reports for Hazardous Waste Management Units (HWMU).
- Completed media removal in the Biotreatment Area (BTA) and began sampling for demolition readiness assessments.
- Continued installation of two temporary boilers in the yard.
- Completed removal of piping and pumps in the Agent Water Separator Tanks and the Wash Water Tanks.
- Conducted rinsate (diluted chemicals in liquid form) sampling in the Explosive Containment Rooms and Munitions Monitoring Area.
Static Detonation Chambers (SDC)
- Awaiting approval of SDC closure plan by state regulators.
- Hosted employees from Redstone Arsenal and Chemical Biological Application and Risk Reduction to conduct 3-D mapping and photography to aid in disassembly, packaging and reassembly of the units for reuse in their organizations.
Workforce
- Launched a new Finish Strong newsletter Aug. 7 that highlights job and training opportunities for staff, including job fairs, project openings and apprenticeship programs.
- Employed 1,171 workers on the project; 480 released so far; 95 to be released in next reduction Sept. 19.
Environmental Permitting
- Submitted two Closure Planning Notifications:
- Permit Modification Request (PMR) C001: PCAPP is submitting a permit modification to remove certain isolated tanks and associated equipment from the Agent Processing Building for closure.
- Notice of Deficiency response for PMR C002 (initiation of closure of 10 HWMUs in the BTA).
Public Outreach
- Walton Levi, site project manager, PCAPP; Col. Rodney McCutcheon, commander, PCD; and Russell De Salvo, president and chief executive officer, PuebloPlex, hosted a congressional delegation luncheon Aug. 9 with representatives of Sen. John Hickenlooper, Sen. Michael Bennet, and Rep. Lauren Boebert.
- Levi provided a site update Aug. 21 to six visiting members of the Fort Carson 10th Airborne Division.
Upcoming Meetings
- The next Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission (CAC) meeting will be online at 3 p.m. MT Wednesday, Oct. 30. Join online by using the link and information below.
Computer: Zoom
Phone: 1 (719) 359-4580
Meeting ID: 84351934182#
