Aug. 28 Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens' Advisory Commission Meeting (2024)

This is the Aug. 28 Colorado Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission online meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss topics related to the destruction of the former chemical weapons stockpile at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot (PCD), completed June 22, 2023, as well as the closure of the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP). Highlights from the meeting are listed below.

Meeting highlights are outlined below:

• At approximately 0:00, the meeting is called to order by Irene Kornelly, chair, CAC.
• At approximately 0:30, Tamika Atkins, acting program executive officer, ACWA, shares information about the departure of Kingston Reif, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Threat Reduction and Arms Control, on Sept. 18 and his replacement, Craig Campbell, principal director, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Threat Reduction and Arms Control, who will serve as acting deputy. She has no update on filling the permanent PEO ACWA program executive officer position, but introduces Troy Workman, deputy program executive officer. She indicates that she will visit PCAPP in late October with Workman and will set up an in-person meeting with CAC members.
• At approximately 4:00, Kornelly asks to approve the agenda since quorum was achieved. The agenda is approved as presented. Minutes from the June 26, 2024, meeting are approved.
• At approximately 5:38, Col. Rodney McCutcheon, commander, PCD, provides an update on plans for the transition from PCD to the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity-West and the collaborative Aug. 29 Safety Fair with PCAPP. He shares details regarding the upcoming reduction in force, the PCD closure permit and the Sept. 12 deactivation ceremony. He expresses gratitude for the opportunity to serve PCD in his current position as he will relocate to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama later in the fall.
• At approximately 12:10, Laura Stalford, program manager, PuebloPlex, shares updates on meetings concerning real estate transfers, the closure of the Pueblo Area Defense Diversification Act grant in June, and workforce transition and community outreach activities.
• At approximately 19:28, Kornelly asks Stalford about the approximate timing of the Parcel 3 transfer.
• At approximately 20:04, Julianna Mahr, Hazardous Waste Permitting Unit leader, CDPHE, reports on recent permit modifications, weekly site inspections of the main plant, and Notice of Deficiency responses to the SDC Closure Plan and first Demolition Readiness Report.
• At approximately 27:18, Walton Levi, site project manager, PCAPP, introduces Todd Ailes, project manager, Bechtel Pueblo Team, who provides a safety update.
• At approximately 30:22, Troy Worthen, plant manager, PCAPP, discusses main plant closure activities, including sampling, decontamination and disassembly in the Agent Processing Building and Biotreatment Area. He discusses collaboration with the organizations who will receive the SDC units and disposal of training munitions from igloos.
• At approximately 34:55, Levi shares data on how much closure waste has been generated and shipped.
• At approximately 37:10, Ailes gives a status update on permitting activities; defines the various components of the approved Closure Plan, organized by the 48 Hazardous Waste Management Units; and provides information on the oversight by the independent third-party engineer. He shares a list of items that will be reused if they meet the reuse readiness standards.
• At approximately 45:00, Ailes explains the Demolition Readiness Report (DRR) process and provides a summary of the status of the DRRs in the main plant and the associated analytical requirements.
• At approximately 52:40, Ailes reports on staffing numbers and workforce transition activities.
• At approximately 55:15, John Norton, citizen member, CAC, asks who will replace Col. McCutcheon at PCD.
• At approximately 57:05, Kornelly reminds the group that the next meeting is Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. MT.

PCAPP is a state-of-the-art facility that safely completed destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile at PCD in Pueblo, Colorado, June 22, 2023. For more project information and news, visit the PCAPP homepage on the PEO ACWA website: https://www.peoacwa.army.mil/pcapp

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