[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 30314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14347]
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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
Neutralization (Hydrolysis) Process, Followed by Either On-Site or Off-
Site Biotreatment, for Mustard Agent at the Aberdeen Proving Ground
(APG), MD
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 or off-site biotreatment, as a potential disposal
technology for mustard agent in bulk storage containers only. Potential
environmental impacts will be examined for several alternative
locations of the on-site pilot facility at APG. 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 mustard-filled ton containers at APG. This NOI
rescinds the previous NOI announced in the Federal Register on January
25, 1991 (56 FR 2911).
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 the 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 or off-site biotreatment, for the mustard agent currently
stored in ton containers at APG.
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. 97-14347 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
