Congressman Salazar: DOD Meets Congressional, Community Demands

Bipartisan Support for Salazar Legislation Raised National Profile of Chem Depot

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John T. Salazar (CO-3) today commended the Department of Defense for their decision to go forward with the original plans for the destruction of weapons at the Pueblo Chemical Depot. In recent weeks, Salazar has built a bipartisan coalition of Representatives from across the nation united in their opposition to moving chemical weapons stockpiles across state lines. Salazar credits the DOD’s reversal to months of Congressional and community pressure.

“This is a huge victory for the community and the nation at large,” said Salazar. “We have proved that Congress and the community can work hand in hand to create real change. It’s a great thing that we can work across party lines to do what is best for Colorado.”

In a memo released today, the DOD agreed to:

• release the funding that has been withheld for construction;
• continue with the water neutralization process; and
• do what is necessary to meet international treaty deadlines.

Most notably, the DOD agreed that transporting the weapons through mountains and neighborhoods is not in the best interest of our communities.

In January, Salazar introduced legislation to ensure that the DOD keeps its commitment to the citizens of Pueblo by limiting the Army’s ability to transport hazardous chemical weapons through the backyards of Colorado communities. Salazar’s legislation has gained support from Members in states as varied as Utah, Maryland, Kentucky, and Oregon.

“After months of pressure from Congress and the community, the DOD has finally agreed to do what is best for the Pueblo community and for our national security,” said Salazar. “At a Citizen’s Advisory Committee town hall a few months back in Pueblo, I joined with the community in making it clear to the DOD that this project must go forward as planned. My colleagues on the Armed Services Committee recognized the national importance of this issue and invited me to participate in a hearing on chemical demilitarization issues, where I continued to stress that the DOD must continue with the project as planned. Clearly the pressure has worked and our voices have been heard.”

Salazar was the first to bring together the DOD and the community to discuss plans to continue with construction of the facility. Salazar brought DOD Under-Secretary Pat Wakefield to a town hall meeting in February to hear directly from the community on how delays in construction would hurt the local economy.