[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 30315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14346]
[[Page 30315]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Site-Specific Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the
Design, Construction and Operation of a Facility to Pilot Test the
Neutralization (Hydrolysis) Process, Followed by Either On-Site
Supercritical Water Oxidation or Off-Site Post Treatment, for VX at
Newport Chemical Depot (NECD), IN
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: This announces the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a site-
specific EIS on the potential impacts of the design, construction, and
operation of a facility to pilot test, as part of a research and
development program, the neutralization (hydrolysis) process, followed
by either on-site supercritical water oxidation or off-site post
treatment in a permitted hazardous waste treatment facility, as a
potential disposal technology for VX in bulk storage containers only.
The ``no action'' alternative will also be examined. The ``no action''
alternative is considered to be deferral of research and development of
the neutralization process as an alternative technology which would
cause continued storage of the VX-filled ton containers at NECD. This
NOI rescinds the previous NOI announced in the Federal Register on
February 13, 1992 (57 FR 5254).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1500-1508), the Army will
prepare a site-specific EIS to assess the health and environmental
impacts of design, construction and operation of a pilot facility to
demonstrate, as part of a research and development program, the
feasibility of adopting the neutralization process, followed by either
on-site super-critical water oxidation or off-site post treatment in a
permitted hazardous waste treatment facility, for the VX currently
stored in ton containers at NECD.
SCOPING MEETING: The Army will hold a scoping meeting to aid in
determining the significant issues related to the proposed action which
will be addressed in the EIS. The scoping process will incorporate
public participation, including Federal, State, and local agencies, as
well as residents within the affected environment. The date, time, and
location of the scoping meeting will be announced in the local news
media at least 15 days prior to the meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Program Manager for Chemical Demilitarization, ATTN: SFAE-CD-ME,
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5401. Individuals desiring to
be placed on a mailing list to receive additional information on the
public scoping process and copies of the draft and final EIS should
contact the Program Manager at the above address.
Dated: May 28, 1997.
Richard E. Newsome,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health), OASA (I, L&E).
[FR Doc. 97-14346 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
