[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 80 (Monday, April 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 20615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11066]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No 
Significant Impact for the Fielding of the ``Generator, Mechanical 
Smoke: For Dual Purpose Unit, M56'' and the ``Generator Smoke 
Mechanical: Mechanized Smoke Obscurant System M58''

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces today the availability of 
the final draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FNSI) for the Fielding of the ``Generator, 
Mechanical Smoke: For Dual Purpose Unit, M56'' and the ``Generator 
Smoke Mechanical: Mechanized Smoke Obscurant System M58'', in 
accordance with Pub. L. 101-510, as amended. The Army will consider 
public comments prior to determining whether to sign the FNSI.
    The Army needs to field state-of-the-art obscuration systems to 
maximize operational success by denying enemy detection of friendly 
units and activities on the battlefield. This fielding will preserve 
forces and minimize casualties.
    This EA has been prepared in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), its implementing regulations 
published by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and Army 
Regulation 200-2, ``Environmental Effects of Army Actions'' (AR 200-2).
    This EA is programmatic in nature, and is designed to identify 
assess, and disclose to the decision-maker and the public the possible 
environmental impacts expected to result from the proposed fielding of 
the M56 and M58 at various installations throughout the United States, 
as well as the potential impacts associated with reasonable 
alternatives to the proposed action. The EA analyzes the environmental 
effects associated with introducing graphite particles into the 
environment in conjunction with fog oil. The effects of fog oil used 
without graphite flakes has been assessed previously.
    The Army's proposed action is to field the M56 and M58 to Army 
installations across the Nation for use in visual and infrared 
training. Alternatives examined in the EA include: Limiting the use 
graphite flakes; restricting units to training with fog oil with no 
emission of graphite flakes; consolidating training to limited 
locations; and prohibiting fielding of the systems within the United 
States (the no action alternative). The Army's preferred alternative is 
implementation of the proposed action.
    The EA examines the potential impacts of the proposed action and 
alternatives on resource areas and areas of environmental concern 
including: human health, threatened and endangered species, air 
quality, water resources, vegetation, the sociological environment, and 
cultural resources.
    The EA concludes that the implementation of the proposed action 
will not have a significant impact on the human environment. As a 
result the Army is proposing to make a FNSI and an Environmental Impact 
Statement will not be required prior to implementation of the proposed 
action.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the EA or inquiries into the draft FNSI may be 
obtained by writing to Commander, U.S. Army Environmental Center, ATTN: 
SFIM-AEC-PA (Mr. Hankus), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5401, 
or by calling (410) 671-2556.

    Dated: April 21, 1998.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) (OASA (I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 98-11066 Filed 4-24-98; 8:45 am]
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