[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