[Federal Register: March 8, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 45)]
[Notices]               
[Page 10682]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08mr04-50]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Air Force

 
Notice of Intent To Perform an Environmental Analysis for the 
Removal of Used Depleted Uranium Targets From Nevada Test and Training 
Range

AGENCY: United States Air Force, Air Combat Command.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
for the Removal of Used Depleted Uranium Targets from the Nevada Test 
And Training Range (NTTR).

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SUMMARY: The United States Air Force is issuing this Notice of intent 
(NOI) to announce that it is conducting an Environmental Assessment 
(EA) to describe the proposed action for removal of used depleted 
uranium (DU) targets used by A-10 aircraft firing the 30-Millimeter 
PGU-14/B API Armor Piercing Incendiary round containing sub-caliber 
high density DU penetrators from the Nevada Test and Training Range 
(NTTR). This NOI describes the Air Force's proposed scoping process and 
identifies the Air Force's point of contact.
    The proposed EA will be prepared in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), the 
Council on Environmental Quality NEPA Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508); 
and the Air Force's Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) (Air 
Force Instruction 32-7061 as promulgated at 32 CFR 989) to determine 
the potential environmental impacts of removing targets formerly used 
by A-10 aircraft for DU testing and training at the NTTR.
    As part of the proposal, the Air Force will analyze various 
disposal alternatives for DU contaminated targets and debris currently 
located in the 60-Series Ranges (Target 63-10) in the Southwest area of 
NTTR. Because the targets and debris are in various conditions and have 
varied levels of contamination the Air Force requires flexibility in 
considering alternatives to dismantle, transport, and dispose/reuse the 
targets. The targets to be disposed fall into two basic categories: (1) 
Targets that can be decontaminated because the DU exists as surface 
contamination or the DU penetrator remains in the entry hole; and (2) 
targets that can not be decontaminated because the DU has fused into 
large areas of the target and it no longer qualifies as a usable 
target.

DATES: The Air Force will conduct a series of scoping meetings to 
receive public input on alternatives, concerns, and issues to be 
addressed in the EA and to solicit public input concerning the scope of 
the proposed action and alternatives. The schedule and locations of the 
scoping meetings are as follows:

March 23, 2004, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunrise Library, 5400 Harris Ave., Las 
Vegas, Nevada
March 24, 2004, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Indian Spring Community Center, 719 West 
Gretta Lane, Indian Springs, Nevada
March 25, 2004, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Bob Ruud Community Center, Main Hall, 150 
North Highway 160, Pahrump, Nevada

    The Air Force will accept comments at any time during the 
environmental analysis process. However, to ensure the Air Force 
considers relevant scoping issues in a timely fashion, all comments 
should be forwarded to the address below, no later than April 20, 2004. 
If during the preparation of the EA, the Air Force concludes an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is warranted, comments received 
during this scoping period will be considered in the preparation of the 
EIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sheryl Parker, HQ ACC/CEVP, 129 
Andrews St., Suite 102, Langley AFB, VA 23665-2769, (757) 764-9334

Pamela Fitzgerald,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-5131 Filed 3-5-04; 8:45 am]

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