[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-899]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
 

Record of Decision: Relocation of the Woodbridge Research 
Facility Electromagnetic Pulse Simulators

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Availability of record of decision.

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SUMMARY: This announces the availability of the Record of Decision 
(ROD) regarding the relocation of the Army's electromagnetic pulse 
(EMP) simulators currently located at the Woodbridge Research Facility 
(WRF), in Woodbridge, Virginia, to a new location selected from six 
candidate relocation sites evaluated for the facility. The Army has 
decided to relocate its four existing simulators, construct a new 
simulator, the Vertical EMP Simulator-Second Generation (VEMPS II), and 
operate the new facility at the Orogrande Site at White Sands Missile 
Range, New Mexico.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 27, 1989, the Army announced a 
proposal to relocate the WRF EMP simulators to a new site, citing the 
following reasons: The need to continue simulated EMP testing in 
accordance with Army requirements, the desire to use the economics of 
collocation of test operations, and the concern to adjust to the 
rapidly expanding population in the Woodbridge and Northern Virginia 
areas. In 1991, after the Army announced its proposal to relocate the 
WRF EMP simulators, the WRF was designated for closure in accordance 
with the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act (Pub. L. 101-510). 
The Army is planning to close the WRF in September 1994.
    As presented in the Final EIS, the Department of the Army's 
proposed action is to relocate its existing electromagnetic pulse (EMP) 
simulators from the Woodbridge Research Facility, Woodbridge, Virginia, 
construct a new simulator, the Vertical EMP Simulator II (VEMPS II), 
and operate them at a site selected from six candidate sites at Army 
installations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. This action entails the 
dismantling of the existing EMP simulators at the WRF, transporting the 
equipment to the selected new site, preparation of the site facilities 
at the new location and the construction and operation of the EMP 
simulators at the new site.
    Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1505.2) for 
implementing the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act 
direct the preparation of a public Record of Decision concerning 
decisions reached on actions considered in Environmental Impact 
Statements. The relocation of the WRF EMP simulators to a new location 
and its potential impacts have been discussed in the final 
environmental documents filed with the Environmental Protection Agency, 
as announced on November 26, 1993 (58 FR, No. 226; p. 62345).
    The ROD identifies the Orogrande Site as the site for construction 
of the new facility and summarizes the alternatives considered, the 
basis for selection of this site, and measures that will be undertaken 
to minimize environmental effects. This site was both the Army's 
preferred site and the environmentally preferred site because Orogrande 
is the location of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command Nuclear 
Effects Directorate, and essentially all Army scientists and engineers 
who perform EMP testing are located in this area, thus simplifying 
logistics for operating the site. Further, the availability of these 
technologists and easily accessible operations and maintenance support 
from the main post area at WSMR simplifies test support logistics, 
thereby, minimizing the costs and time required to complete tests. 
Additionally, laboratory and administrative space is available at the 
existing Nuclear Effects Directorate offices, thereby minimizing the 
dollar investment to construct the site. The utilization of these 
spaces also eliminates the ground disturbance and loss of biological 
habitat and archeological resources associated with constructing the 
administrative staging areas and buildings, the need to construct four 
miles of security fencing and perimeter roadways, thus reducing cost 
and additional loss of biological habitat and archeological resources, 
and the impact to biological species. Also the roadways and test areas 
of the EMP facilities can be sited to avoid archeological resources and 
their operation at the Orogrande Site will have the least impact on the 
operations and facilities at WSMR.
    Interested individuals or organizations may obtain copies of the 
ROD by contacting: U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Attn: David Davison 
(AMSRL-CP-S-PA), 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adephi, MD 20783-1145, (301) 
394-3590.

    Dated: January 6, 1994.
Lewis D. Walker,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 94-899 Filed 1-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M