Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Activities Associated With Future Programs at the U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground, Utah

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact

Statement (EIS) for Activities Associated With Future Programs at the

U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground, Utah

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Pub. L. 91-190, the National Environmental

Policy Act of 1969, an EIS is being prepared to evaluate environmental

implications of proposed operations, and development potential of

Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) in terms of environmental carrying

capacity. The proposed action includes diversifying DPG operations, the

expansion of chemical and biological defensive testing, increased DoD

training activities, and implementation of the installation real

property master plan. Issues to be considered include new activities

projected for the installation, modernization or removal of outdated

facilities, and improvements to infrastructure, utilities and service

necessary to accommodate new missions and changes in existing test,

evaluation, and training missions. Three alternatives are being

considered: (1) Increased training intensity without expansion of

defensive chemical and biological testing; (2) expanded action

(increased training, and diversified and increased testing); and (3)

no-action which is the continuation of current operations and

management intensity. Cessation of current mission activity is not a

decision under consideration. Mitigation measures to minimize adverse

environmental impacts may be developed for each alternative.

Scoping: The first step will be to determine the appropriate scope

of issues, activities and alternatives to be addressed. Comments

received as a result of this notice will be used to assist the Army in

identifying potential impacts to the quality of the human environment.

Individuals or organizations may participate in the scoping process by

written comment or by attending scoping meetings. The Army will conduct

scoping meetings in Salt Lake City and Tooele, Utah, prior

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to preparing the EIS (exact, date, time and location to be determined

and will be advertised in the local news media at least 15 days prior

to the scoping meeting).

DATES: The public scoping period will continue until October 15, 1998.

Written public comments and suggestions can be submitted on or before

September 28, 1998 to the address shown below. To ensure consideration

in preparation of the draft EIS, written comments and suggestion should

be postmarked by October 15th. Comments received after this date will

be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Commander, U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground, ATTN: STEDPPA

(Site-Wide EIS), Dugway, Utah 84022-5000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steven E, Klauser, (435) 831-3739.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Among the anticipated areas to be evaluated

are public health and safety, noise, shock and vibration, water

quality, air quality, biological resources including threatened and

endangered species, social and economic effects, and historical and

archaeological resources.

Dated: July 23, 1998.

Raymond J. Fatz,

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and

Occupational Health), OASA (I,L&E).

[FR Doc. 98-20211 Filed 7-28-98; 8:45 am]

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