[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 27, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56444-56445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19246]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Record of Decision (ROD) for 
Activities Associated With Future Programs at the U.S. Army Dugway 
Proving Ground (DPG), Utah

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION: Record of decision.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of its 
Record of Decision (ROD) for Activities Associated with Future Programs 
at the U.S. Army DPG. The ROD describes the Army's decisions with 
respect to the Proposed Action (implementation of DPG's planned mission 
for a 7-year time frame) and alternatives considered in the 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and its rationale for the 
decision. Based on the EIS and other relevant factors, the Army has 
decided to implement its Proposed Action. The Proposed Action is the 
alternative that best fulfills DPG's statutory mission and 
responsibilities, giving consideration to economic, environmental, 
technical, and other factors. DPG will continue to implement its 
existing mitigation measures as well as measures described in the ROD 
to mitigate potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts caused by 
the Proposed Action.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the ROD may be submitted to: U.S. 
Army Dugway Proving Ground, ATTN: CSTE-DTC-DP-PA (Paula Nicholson), 
Dugway, UT 84022-5000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Paula Nicholson at (435) 831-3409 
or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EIS was prepared to address the planned 
mission at DPG, the reasonable alternatives to the planned mission, and 
potential environmental impacts of DPG's future operations.
    DPG is one of the few Army installations large and remote enough to 
permit comprehensive and realistic testing of biological and chemical 
defense systems, munitions and smokes, obscurants, and illuminants with 
a commitment to environmental protection and personal and public 
safety. Both DoD and non-DOD customers are posing challenges for DPG to 
support greater numbers of test and training events related to new 
enemy threats, next generation materiel, advanced conventional weapon 
systems, environmental concern, and demilitarization technologies.
    The Proposed Action described and evaluated in the EIS is the 
implementation of DPG's planned mission. It includes continuation of 
existing DPG activities (including, but not limited to, chemical and 
biological defense testing, other testing programs, training, real 
property management, and environmental management) with future 
increases in most testing and training operating areas. Additionally, 
the Proposed Action includes diversification of DPG's operations and 
implementation of a Summary Development Plan identifying real property 
planning recommendations for DPG. The Proposed Action will enable DPG 
to effectively respond to the challenges of a growing and diversified 
mission.
    In making its decision, the Army considered the results of the 
analysis in the EIS, including the evaluation of the other 
alternatives. The EIS considered the following two alternatives to the 
Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative: (1) Decreased mission 
with a major reduction in operations at DPG and (2) a maximum expanded 
mission with major increases in most operating areas compared to 
current operations. The No Action Alternative represents the status quo 
and assumes that existing DPG operations would continue at

[[Page 56445]]

approximately their current rates into the foreseeable future. All 
comments provided during the formal public review and comment periods 
were also considered, as well as national security and mission 
requirements.
    The consideration of future programs ensures that the general type 
and intensity of most of DPG's future activities were addressed. A 
range of factors such as future technology developments, available 
budgets, and changing defense threats often alter test plans. The 
Proposed Action within the Future Programs EIS includes only those 
activities that are reasonably foreseeable and for which DPG is the 
proponent or can make a decision about the activity. Specific program 
designations and equipment/materials to be tested may change between 
the time that the EIS was prepared and the actual test date. 
Accordingly, the EIS identifies the general characteristics of 
reasonably foreseeable test programs, rather than providing definitive 
and specific test information.
    DPG will continue to implement its existing mitigation measures, as 
well as measures described in the ROD, to mitigate potential 
environmental and socioeconomic impacts caused by the Proposed Action. 
DPG and the Army are committed to protecting human health, sustaining 
their environments, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
    Copies of the ROD and the Final EIS are available for review 
purposes only (no extra copies of the documents will be available at 
these locations) at the following libraries: Whitmore Library, 2197 
East 7000 South (Ft. Union Blvd.), Salt Lake City; University of Utah, 
J. Willard Marriott Library, 15th East and South Campus Drive, Salt 
Lake City; Dugway Public Library, 5124 Kister Avenue, Dugway; Tooele 
City Public Library, 128 W. Vine Street, Tooele.

    Dated: September 22, 2005.
Daphne Kamely,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health), OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 05-19246 Filed 9-26-05; 8:45 am]
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