Chemical plant restrictions draw concern

FORT WAYNE -- Tight access to chemical companies' records imposed because of terrorism concerns has restricted the public's ability to determine which companies store large amounts of hazardous chemicals.\nAlthough such restrictions are a part of the nation's anti-terrorism efforts, too much secrecy could pose a threat to democracy, said David Van Gilder, a board member of the Hoosier Environmental Council.\n"We have an open society. We are supposed to be in favor of having our books open, especially those developed by the government," Gilder, a Fort Wayne attorney, told The Journal Gazette. "It is my view, if you want a really secure country you can move to a country with a dictatorship. Then you have security."\nCommunities are entitled to know which companies store the largest amounts of hazardous chemicals, the threats those chemicals pose and accidents involving them, among other information.\nThat has not changed since Sept. 11, 2001, when devastating terrorist attacks raised fears companies that store chemicals could be targets. But how the records are disclosed has led to roadblocks.\nThe Allen County emergency management director now limits access to the chemical records nearly 300 companies in the northeastern Indiana county must file, although the state and federal laws require them to be released to help the public plan for emergencies.\nIn addition, anyone wanting to view chemical risk-management plans filed by companies with the largest quantities of hazardous chemicals in their community must make an appointment through the U.S. Justice Department. In Indiana, they must drive to the federal courthouse in Indianapolis and produce identification to see them.\nEven then, a U.S. marshal watches as the documents are viewed. The Journal Gazette was the first in Indiana to request the documents.\nSome companies contacted by the newspaper declined to disclose chemical information, even though the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency strongly urges companies to be forthright with details.\nFrom the federal to the local and company levels, security is the main concern, but others see an erosion of rights. They said that if the enemy wants to find out where huge quantities of chemicals are stored, he will.\nCheryl Cronin, Fort Wayne Water Pollution Control Plant superintendent, agrees that the public should know the chemical risks outlined by risk-management plans. The municipal plant stores large quantities of chlorine to treat wastewater.\nStill, making the information public bothers her.\n"I think it's OK, and people should be aware of what's in their community. But it worries me," Cronin said. "It makes me nervous that a lot of people would be showing interest in our plant. But, certainly, people have a right to see those."\nBernie Beier, the director of Fort Wayne Homeland Security, said changes in state records laws last year allow agencies to withhold access to emergency response plans, but even those should not be denied in total.\nThe community's right to know, he said, would probably outweigh his security concerns about chemical locations and is "more important than the bad guys knowing about it."\nBesides, he said, people intent on locating chemical hot spots will find a way.