[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 64 (Friday, April 2, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 17454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7425]



[[Page 17454]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE


Office of Community Oriented Policing Services; Methamphetamine 
Initiative

AGENCY: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, Department of 
Justice.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the finding of no significant impact 
and the environmental assessment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Assessment, which is available to the 
public, concludes that the methamphetamine investigation and 
clandestine laboratory closure activities of the Methamphetamine 
Initiative will not have significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment given adherence to all applicable laws and regulations.

ADDRESSES: For copies of the Environment Assessment, please contact: 
COPS Grants Administration Division, 1100 Vermont Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20530; Phone: (202) 616-3031 or 1-800-421-6770.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The U.S. Department of Justice 
Response Center, 1-800-421-6770 and ask to speak with your Grant 
Program Specialist.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In Fiscal Year 2003, the COPS Office 
prepared an Environmental Assessment for its methamphetamine law 
enforcement programs, with specific application for the Methamphetamine 
Initiative. This Environmental Assessment was prepared as required by 
the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500 
through 1508), implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321, et al.) The Methamphetamine Initiative addressed 
a broad array of law enforcement initiatives pertaining to the 
investigation of methamphetamine trafficking in many heavily impacted 
areas of the country. For the purposes of this program, funded items 
may include training of law enforcement officers in methamphetamine-
related issues; collection and maintenance of intelligence and 
information relative to methamphetamine trafficking and traffickers; 
investigation, arrest and prosecution of producers, traffickers and 
users of methamphetamine; interdiction and removal of laboratories, 
finished products, and precursor chemicals and other elements necessary 
to produce methamphetamine; transportation and storage of finished 
products, and precursor chemicals, and other elements necessary to 
produce methamphetamine; and preventive efforts to reduce the spread 
and use of methamphetamine. Individual projects will reflect a 
concentration on program areas consistent with Congressional 
appropriations.
    Among the many challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in the 
Methamphetamine Initiative will be discovery, interdiction, and 
dismantling of clandestine drug laboratories. These lab sites, as well 
as other methamphetamine crime venues must be comprehensively dealt 
with in compliance with a variety of health, safety and environmental 
laws and regulations. The COPS Office requires that recipients, when 
encountering illegal drug laboratories, use grant funds to effect the 
proper removal and disposal of hazardous materials located at those 
laboratories and directly associated sites in accordance with all 
applicable laws and regulations.

Overview

Environmental Assessment

    The COPS Office will award grants to State and local criminal 
justice agencies for the FY 2004 COPS Methamphetamine Initiative. The 
Environmental Assessment concludes that the funding of this program 
will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment given adherence to all applicable laws and regulations. 
Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared for 
the funding of this program.

    Dated: Narch 18, 2004.
Carl R. Peed,
Director, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
[FR Doc. 04-7425 Filed 4-1-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-AT-M