Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Changes to Utilization of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Changes to Utilization

of Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice of availability announces the public release of

the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Yuma Proving Ground

(YPG). The Draft EIS is programmatic in nature and discloses impacts

associated with direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the

proposed action under a range of alternatives. New missions and

programs require land use changes and construction of new facilities

and military ranges. Examples of changes to YPG's mission that may

result in this action include: combat systems testing, troop training,

and private sector use of facilities. Activities to support this action

include modernization of outdated facilities, improvements to

infrastructure, installation of utilities, and land use changes. An

environmental assessment prepared to evaluate the effect of the

Installation Master Plan determined that significant effects were

likely to result from these changes.

DATES: Written public comments received within 45 days of the date of

publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of

Availability in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: To receive a copy of this Draft EIS, or to submit comments,

contact: Directorate of Environmental Sciences, STEYP-ES-C (ATTN: Mr.

[[Page 44248]]

Junior D. Kerns), Yuma Proving Ground, AZ 85365.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Junior D. Kerns at (520) 328-2148.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Resources discussed in the draft are

climate, air, water, geology and soils, biology, cultural resources,

socioeconomics, land use, noise, hazardous materials/waste management,

radiation, health and safety, aesthetic values, utilities, and

transportation. Situated in southwestern Arizona, the installation is a

desert evaluation and test center with premier facilities for testing

military materiel.

The proposed action is the conversion of YPG from a traditional

Army test installation to a diversified, multipurpose test range. The

multipurpose test installation will integrate training, privatization,

and other mission-compatible uses with research, development, test, and

evaluation activities indicated in the Installation Master Plan and

other applicable planning documents. This proposed action supports the

defense mission of the United States to maintain a prepared and

technologically advanced military.

Five alternatives are considered: (1) Maintain baseline activity

levels (no action), (2) decreased military mission, (3) increased

military mission, (4) modified nonmilitary mission, and (5) diversified

mission. Impacts of each alternative are disclosed in accordance with

the National Environmental Policy Act. The Army will develop a

preferred alternative after consideration of impacts described in the

Draft EIS and public comment.

Comments may also be submitted via phone at (800) 330-1348.

Dated: August 13, 1998.

Raymond J. Fatz,

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and

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

[FR Doc. 98-22187 Filed 8-17-98; 8:45 am]

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