The Federal Emergency Management Association has decided that they will not declare portions of Fort Chaffee, Ark. a disaster area following a fire in January, therefore providing no money to assist in cleaning up the asbestos-strewn site.

According to an article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Ivy Owen, executive director of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, said officials hope to appeal the FEMA decision. However, state officials have said the group’s chances are slim as the site does not meet federal guidelines for the aid.

“With an estimate of $ 4.6 million to clean it up, it shackles us from our economic development,” Owen said Thursday during a visit by U. S. Rep John Boozman, R-Ark.

The fire, which swept over approximately 100 acres at the historic fort, destroyed more than 150 World War II era buildings, the majority of which contained dangerous asbestos. Rep. Boozman said cost of clean up with depend on the toxicity levels of the debris and whether a special landfill is needed for the waste and soil.

However, notes Jerry Roberts, a member of the Sebastian County Department of Emergency Management, the asbestos at the site of the old fort is not considered hazardous but instead is designated as “special” — meaning it can go to local landfills.

“But that’s our problem. If it was considered hazardous, we could be considered for funding as an [Environmental Protection Agency] Superfund site,” Roberts said.

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality conducted tests at the site, finding asbestos contamination ranging from 3 percent to 65 percent in some areas, particularly near the old boilers. Roberts said the department will require the debris and the asbestos be cleaned up.

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