Environmental statements; notice of intent: Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; test range management practices,

[Federal Register: September 3, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 171)]

[Notices]

[Page 48386]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr03se99-67]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Test Range Management Practices at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground's (APG) Aberdeen Test Center (ATC), MD

agency: Department of the Army, DoD.

action: Notice of Intent.

summary: In accordance with Public Law 91-190, the National Policy Act of 1969, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is to be prepared to assess the environmental impacts associated with the adoption of test range management practices at APG's ATC. The ranges at both the Aberdeen Area and Edgewood Area of APG are used to conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation of military ordnance. The ranges are forested and contain grassland and heavily vegetated areas. The new range management practices being proposed for adoption consist of the following techniques: (1) Controlled burns; (2) use of herbicides; (3) disking; (4) firebreaks; and (5) a combination of techniques. A no action alternative (status quo) of maintaining current range management practices will also be considered. The new range management practices are being proposed since there are no current on-going management practices that sufficiently address techniques to minimize range fires, the domination of native plant species by non-native plant species, and impediments to recovery of unexploded ordnance (UXO). The new range management practice techniques being proposed will help minimize the accumulation of fallen vegetative debris that fuel wildfires, regenerate native forests and plant species, improve the ability of APG personnel to recovery UXO, and better manage range assets and facilities. The agency invites written comments and suggestions on issues and management opportunities for the area being analyzed.

dates: Written public comments and suggestions should be submitted by October 18, 1999, to the address shown below. Comments received after this date will be considered to the extent practicable.

addresses: Commander, U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center, ATTN: STEAC-EV (Mr. Joseph P. Ondek), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005-5001.

for further information contact: Mr. Joseph P. Ondek at (410) 278-5294.

supplementary information: The Army will conduct several scoping workshops prior to preparing the EIS. The first step will be to determine the appropriate scope of issues, activities, and alternatives to be addressed. Among the anticipated areas to be evaluated are public health risks and public safety, water quality, air quality, hazardous materials, biological resources including threatened and endangered species, socioeconomic effects, and historic and archaeological resources. During the scoping process, the Army will ask the public and agencies that have regulatory interest in Aberdeen Proving Ground to participate in scoping. Comments received as a result of this notice will be used to assist the Army in identifying potential impacts to the quality of the natural and human environment. The public scoping meetings will be held prior to preparing the draft EIS. The exact date, time and location of the scoping meetings will be advertised in the local news media, at least 15 days prior to the meeting.

Dated: August 31, 1999. Richard E. Newsome, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and Occupational Health), OASA (I&E).

[FR Doc. 99-23062Filed9-2-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3710-08-M

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