The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management’s Sandi Hensley presented a video presentation on the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program’s 20-year history at the Tuesday. Jan. 19, Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting in the Pine Bluff Arsenal’s Creasy Auditorium.
    CSEPP has created partnerships between local, state and federal governments and the army. It has also provided needed  training, early-warning systems and shelter-in-place mechanisms.
    “It’s hard to imagine that CSEPP has been with us for 20 years,” said the CAC’s Betsy Francis. “It has come a long way. They have done wonderful things.”
    Francis expressed a desire to compile and archive all CSEPP information, minutes and articles that has accumulated since the CAC’s establishment. “As we see the program coming to an end, we see the need for this.” said Francis.
    According to a PBA Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel report,  the Pine Bluff Explosive Destruction System has destroyed 1,187 of the original 1,228 recovered munitions and 15 of a remaining 56 German traktor rockets (GTRs). The destruction of the GTRs with propellant-filled motors began Nov. 16, and has a targeted completion date of  April 2010. The site closure is projected for Sept. 30, 2010.
   The Army’s update was given by Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility Site Project Manager Mark Greer, who stated that PBCDF is averaging a total of 49 ton containers per week,  with the highest weekly mark being 72. He added that a chemical surety inspection by the Army’s inspector generals’ office had began.
    Members were reminded of the upcoming CSEPP 2010 National Workshop set for June 23-24, in Louisville, Ky.
    Hensley said that the Federal Emergency Management Ageny and the Army Corps of Engineers will have answers on funding of the decommissioned equipment in the White Hall School District by the end of February.
    She also reported that six months after the last ton container is processed, CSEPP funding will cease.
    PBCDF personnel have worked more than 702 days since their last lost workday due to an injury.