23 September 1998
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aaces002.html

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[Federal Register: September 23, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 184)]
[Notices]
[Page 50892]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23se98-52]

[[Page 50892]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for Pilot
Testing Neutralization/Biotreatment of Mustard Agent at Aberdeen
Proving Ground, Maryland

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Record of Decision.

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SUMMARY: This announces the availability of the Record of Decision
(ROD) which documents and explains the Department of the Army's
decision to construct and operate a facility to pilot test the
neutralization/biotreatment process of mustard agent using water at
Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the ROD, contact Ms. Nancy Hoffman,
Edgewood Community Outreach Office, Woodbridge, Station, 1011
Woodbridge Center Way, Edgewood, Maryland 21040.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Catherine Herlinger at (800) 488-0648 or (410) 436-2583.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Army has determined that the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) adequately addresses the potential
impacts of the Army's actions relating to the disposal of mustard agent
stored at APG. The Army has also determined that the conclusions in the
Final EIS establish that the decision to pilot test the neutralization/
biotreatment process for mustard agent using water at the preferred
site provides maximum protection to the environment, the general
public, and workers at the pilot test facility. The Army plans to
dispose of 615 tons of mustard agent stored at APG consistent with the
terms of the ROD.
    The alternatives considered in the Final EIS were no action (i.e.,
continued storage of mustard agent at APG) and locating the pilot
facility at one of two potential sites within APG. Although the no
action alternative is not viable under Public Law 99-145 (the
Department of Defense Authorization Act of 1986), it was analyzed to
provide a comparison with the proposed action. A comparison was made of
the potential impacts of two different locations at APG for the
facility. The locations were identified using criteria based on safety
and compatibility with current APG activities. The selected site,
located on the Bush River Peninsula, has the advantage of being
adjacent to the Chemical Agent Storage Yard, where the mustard agent is
stored in ton containers. Additionally, it was determined to result in
lower potential impacts to human health, land, water and ecological
resources. Detonations of explosives and ordnance and testing munitions
have previously contaminated the alternative site. Site clean up and
remediation activities are not currently scheduled prior to
construction. This would result in increased project duration and
significantly impact the Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program mission's
schedule date targeted for December 2004. Based on these impact
analyses, it is concluded that conducting pilot test operations at the
selected site is the preferred environmental alternative for
implementing the neutralization/biotreatment process using water.
    Copies of the ROD may also be obtained by calling Ms. Hoffman,
Edgewood Community Outreach Office, at (410) 676-6800.
    Questions may be forwarded to Office of the Program Manager for
Chemical Demilitarization, ATTN: SFAE-CD-P (Ms. Herlinger), Building
E4585, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5401; or via e-mail at
cherling@cdra.apgea.army.mil.

    Dated: September 16, 1998.
Richard E. Newsome,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health) OASA (I, L&E).
[FR Doc. 98-25394 Filed 9-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
