The Army Corps of Engineers starts work next month unearthing what may be barrels of Agent Orange buried near Tok. The Corps’ Alaska District spokeswoman Pat Richardson says they’re not entirely sure what’s buried at the site — located less than a mile from the Alaska Highway. An electromagnetic survey conducted last year simply revealed metal. It’s taken more than four years to begin the actual work to dig up the area, since Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) was initially tipped off that there might be toxic chemicals buried there — possibly 55-gallon barrels of Agent Orange. The notorious anti-foliage chemical usually associated with the Vietnam War would likely have been used in the area during a pipeline construction project in the 1960’s. Agent Orange has since been banned due to toxic and carcinogenic effects.
Libby Casey, KUAC – Fairbanks (read by Lori Townsend, APRN )
