[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 159 (Tuesday, August 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44247-44248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22187]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Changes to Utilization
of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
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SUMMARY: This notice of availability announces the public release of
the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Yuma Proving Ground
(YPG). The Draft EIS is programmatic in nature and discloses impacts
associated with direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the
proposed action under a range of alternatives. New missions and
programs require land use changes and construction of new facilities
and military ranges. Examples of changes to YPG's mission that may
result in this action include: combat systems testing, troop training,
and private sector use of facilities. Activities to support this action
include modernization of outdated facilities, improvements to
infrastructure, installation of utilities, and land use changes. An
environmental assessment prepared to evaluate the effect of the
Installation Master Plan determined that significant effects were
likely to result from these changes.
DATES: Written public comments received within 45 days of the date of
publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of
Availability in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: To receive a copy of this Draft EIS, or to submit comments,
contact: Directorate of Environmental Sciences, STEYP-ES-C (ATTN: Mr.
[[Page 44248]]
Junior D. Kerns), Yuma Proving Ground, AZ 85365.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Junior D. Kerns at (520) 328-2148.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Resources discussed in the draft are
climate, air, water, geology and soils, biology, cultural resources,
socioeconomics, land use, noise, hazardous materials/waste management,
radiation, health and safety, aesthetic values, utilities, and
transportation. Situated in southwestern Arizona, the installation is a
desert evaluation and test center with premier facilities for testing
military materiel.
The proposed action is the conversion of YPG from a traditional
Army test installation to a diversified, multipurpose test range. The
multipurpose test installation will integrate training, privatization,
and other mission-compatible uses with research, development, test, and
evaluation activities indicated in the Installation Master Plan and
other applicable planning documents. This proposed action supports the
defense mission of the United States to maintain a prepared and
technologically advanced military.
Five alternatives are considered: (1) Maintain baseline activity
levels (no action), (2) decreased military mission, (3) increased
military mission, (4) modified nonmilitary mission, and (5) diversified
mission. Impacts of each alternative are disclosed in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act. The Army will develop a
preferred alternative after consideration of impacts described in the
Draft EIS and public comment.
Comments may also be submitted via phone at (800) 330-1348.
Dated: August 13, 1998.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health) OASA(I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 98-22187 Filed 8-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
