[CPEO-MEF] APG criticized over policies tied to cleanup

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APG criticized over policies tied to cleanup
Panel says post withholds contaminants information; 'It really
jeopardizes the trust'; Officials see wells' details as possible
security risk
By Lane Harvey Brown
Sun Staff
Originally published September 29, 2002

An environmental group that monitors cleanup projects at Aberdeen
Proving Ground has lashed out at APG officials, saying security policies
are preventing group members from receiving complete and accurate
information about contaminants on the post.

Members of the Restoration Advisory Board, made up of members of the
community, Harford County government, Maryland Department of the
Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, say that in
several instances in recent months, they have been denied access to maps
showing ground-water contamination and the location of 11 production
wells for the city of Aberdeen, which sit along the post boundary.

"It's very frustrating," said advisory board member Cal Baier-Anderson.
"When they remove maps with contamination on it - even if they remove
those maps in error - it really jeopardizes the trust between the Army
and the community."

Meanwhile, post officials say that the maps could pose a security risk -
and provide valuable information to terrorists.

Wrangling over the maps follows the discovery of perchlorate - a
chemical that disrupts thyroid function and has been linked to thyroid
cancer - in some wells. The proving ground has said that some types of
smoke flares and smoke grenades used in training exercises contained the
chemicals.

For decades, the proving ground has been a center for weapons research,
development and testing. Today, the legacy of that work includes a
stockpile of more than 1,600 tons of mustard agent and areas where the
Army is searching for buried grenades, mortars and rockets that could
contain mustard, phosgene and other dangerous agents.

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.apg29sep29.story

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