[Federal Register: September 27, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 186)]
[Notices]
[Page 56444-56445]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27se05-44]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Record of Decision (ROD) for
Activities Associated With Future Programs at the U.S. Army Dugway
Proving Ground (DPG), Utah
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.
ACTION: Record of decision.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of its
Record of Decision (ROD) for Activities Associated with Future Programs
at the U.S. Army DPG. The ROD describes the Army's decisions with
respect to the Proposed Action (implementation of DPG's planned mission
for a 7-year time frame) and alternatives considered in the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and its rationale for the
decision. Based on the EIS and other relevant factors, the Army has
decided to implement its Proposed Action. The Proposed Action is the
alternative that best fulfills DPG's statutory mission and
responsibilities, giving consideration to economic, environmental,
technical, and other factors. DPG will continue to implement its
existing mitigation measures as well as measures described in the ROD
to mitigate potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts caused by
the Proposed Action.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the ROD may be submitted to: U.S.
Army Dugway Proving Ground, ATTN: CSTE-DTC-DP-PA (Paula Nicholson),
Dugway, UT 84022-5000.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Paula Nicholson at (435) 831-3409
or by e-mail at nicholsn@dpg.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EIS was prepared to address the planned
mission at DPG, the reasonable alternatives to the planned mission, and
potential environmental impacts of DPG's future operations.
DPG is one of the few Army installations large and remote enough to
permit comprehensive and realistic testing of biological and chemical
defense systems, munitions and smokes, obscurants, and illuminants with
a commitment to environmental protection and personal and public
safety. Both DoD and non-DOD customers are posing challenges for DPG to
support greater numbers of test and training events related to new
enemy threats, next generation materiel, advanced conventional weapon
systems, environmental concern, and demilitarization technologies.
The Proposed Action described and evaluated in the EIS is the
implementation of DPG's planned mission. It includes continuation of
existing DPG activities (including, but not limited to, chemical and
biological defense testing, other testing programs, training, real
property management, and environmental management) with future
increases in most testing and training operating areas. Additionally,
the Proposed Action includes diversification of DPG's operations and
implementation of a Summary Development Plan identifying real property
planning recommendations for DPG. The Proposed Action will enable DPG
to effectively respond to the challenges of a growing and diversified
mission.
In making its decision, the Army considered the results of the
analysis in the EIS, including the evaluation of the other
alternatives. The EIS considered the following two alternatives to the
Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative: (1) Decreased mission
with a major reduction in operations at DPG and (2) a maximum expanded
mission with major increases in most operating areas compared to
current operations. The No Action Alternative represents the status quo
and assumes that existing DPG operations would continue at
[[Page 56445]]
approximately their current rates into the foreseeable future. All
comments provided during the formal public review and comment periods
were also considered, as well as national security and mission
requirements.
The consideration of future programs ensures that the general type
and intensity of most of DPG's future activities were addressed. A
range of factors such as future technology developments, available
budgets, and changing defense threats often alter test plans. The
Proposed Action within the Future Programs EIS includes only those
activities that are reasonably foreseeable and for which DPG is the
proponent or can make a decision about the activity. Specific program
designations and equipment/materials to be tested may change between
the time that the EIS was prepared and the actual test date.
Accordingly, the EIS identifies the general characteristics of
reasonably foreseeable test programs, rather than providing definitive
and specific test information.
DPG will continue to implement its existing mitigation measures, as
well as measures described in the ROD, to mitigate potential
environmental and socioeconomic impacts caused by the Proposed Action.
DPG and the Army are committed to protecting human health, sustaining
their environments, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
Copies of the ROD and the Final EIS are available for review
purposes only (no extra copies of the documents will be available at
these locations) at the following libraries: Whitmore Library, 2197
East 7000 South (Ft. Union Blvd.), Salt Lake City; University of Utah,
J. Willard Marriott Library, 15th East and South Campus Drive, Salt
Lake City; Dugway Public Library, 5124 Kister Avenue, Dugway; Tooele
City Public Library, 128 W. Vine Street, Tooele.
Dated: September 22, 2005.
Daphne Kamely,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health), OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 05-19246 Filed 9-26-05; 8:45 am]
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