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''

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.

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

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]

BILLING CODE 3710-08-M