WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to suspend plans to conduct chemical and biological tests in Oklahoma:

“I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security listened to the concerns of Kansans and made the decision to suspend its plans to conduct chemical and biological tests near the Kansas border. Prior to any sort of chemical testing – hazardous or not – the federal government must make certain local residents understand its intended objective when it conducts any testing of this nature. While the chemicals DHS planned to use in these tests do not pose any bodily harm, Kansans deserve a thorough explanation when an event of this magnitude is occurring so close to where they live and raise their families.”

Items to Note:

• In October, the Department of Homeland Security announced its intent to perform a “collaborative scientific study with OSU-University Multispectral Laboratories, LLC (UML) that will include low level outdoor release of inert chemicals and biological simulant materials at the Chilocco (former) Indian School Campus outside of Newkirk, OK, during winter 2018 and again in summer 2018,” according to the Draft Environmental Assessment for Proposed Outdoor Testing at Chilocco.
• In November, Sen. Moran called on DHS to halt its plans to conduct these chemical tests until it sent department representatives to Kansas to explain the department’s proposed course of action.
• The 30-day comment period regarding this proposal opened Nov. 8 and closed Dec. 8.

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