[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