HERMISTON -- Work has begun to tear down portions of the Umatilla Chemical Depot's incineration plant.

The Brine Reduction Area stack was removed Wednesday at the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility.

"Today, the UMCDF plant skyline changed for the first time since construction was completed in 2001," said Gary Anderson, site project manager, in a statement.

Subcontractor Brandenburg Industrial made torch cuts on the 65-foot-high exhaust stack, then used a crane to lift the two sections to the ground.

Demolition of the Brine Reduction Area stack building is expected to be completed in December.

The Brine Reduction Area was used to process brine generated during incineration of nerve chemical weapon agent. Brine generated during incineration of mustard blister agent was shipped off site for disposal.

The incineration plant finished destroying mustard agent, the last chemical weapon agent stored at the depot, in October.