Oregon Public Broadcasting

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has wrapped up a two-day visit to Northwest military bases.

During a stop at Fort Lewis Tuesday, Gates was asked about ongoing efforts to destroy cold war era chemical weapons. Specifically he was asked about reports that the Department of Defense may consider shipping chemical weapons across state lines to be destroyed.

Robert Gates: “We have to take care of this stuff and get rid of it someplace and nobody wants it in their backyard, but it has to be done. So as I say the issue hasn’t come to me in terms on any decisions, I haven’t heard directly from any of the Oregon delegation on it.”

Monday, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden sent a terse letter to Secretary Gates. He’s concerned that the Chemical Weapons Depot at Umatilla could become a dumping ground for out-of-state munitions.

In his letter, Wyden reminds Gates that interstate transport of chemical weapons is illegal.

The Department of Defense is under pressure to meet international treaty deadlines for the destruction of these old, but still dangerous bombs.