Deseret Chemical Depot in Utah desert wraps up destruction of mustard agent-filled munitions

Utah chemical depot finishes mortar disposal

STOCKTON, Utah — The Deseret Chemical Depot says workers have destroyed the last explosively configured mustard agent-filled munitions at its site in Utah’s west desert.

The depot says that with 4.2-inch mortar disposal operations completed last week, only bulk containers of mustard agent are left to be processed.

The U.S. Army says nearly 90 percent of the original Deseret Chemical Depot stockpile has been eliminated and more than 1 million munitions destroyed.

Ted Ryba, site project manager at the Tooele Chemical Agent Disposal Facility, says with only bulk containers remaining, the facility can start early decommissioning activities. Those activities include removing some equipment and decommissioning the furnace system used to destroy explosive components.