[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 17, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 7862] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-3849] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for Pilot Testing Neutralization/Supercritical Water Oxidation of VX Agent at the Newport Chemical Depot, Indiana
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 chemical neutralization process followed by supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) as a potential disposal technology for agent VX stored at the Newport Chemical Depot (NECD).
Addresses
To obtain copies of the ROD, contact Ms. Mona Harney, Newport Outreach Office, 140 South Main Street, Newport, Indiana 47966.
For Further Information Contact
Ms. Catherine Herlinger at (800) 488- 0648 or (410) 463-2583.
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 agency VX stored at NECD. The Army has also determined that the conclusions in the Final EIS establish that the decision to pilot test the chemical neutralization process followed by SCWO 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 up to 615 tons of agent VX stored at NECD consistent with the terms of the ROD. The alternatives considered in this Final EIS are the proposed action and no action (continued storage of VX in ton containers). Although the no action alternative is not viable under Public Law 99-145, it was analyzed to provide a comparison with the proposed action. In addition, the no action alternative would not comply with Public Law 102-484, which specifies that Army must consider using a technological alternative to incineration. At one time, the option of sending the neutralization hydrolysate to an off-site treatment facility was under consideration by the Army. However, technical and programmatic evaluations concluded that off-site treatment is not suitable at this time. Based on the results of these impact analyses, it is concluded that conducting pilot test operations at NECD is the preferred environmental alternative for implementing the neutralization process, followed by SCWO. Copies of the ROD can be obtained by calling the Newport Outreach Office at (765) 492-4445. Questions may be forwarded to the Office of the Program Manager for Chemical Demilitarization, ATTN: SFAE-CD-P (Ms. Herlinger), Building E4585, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010- 4005; or via e-mail at cherlin@cdra.apgea.army.mil.
Dated: February 10, 1999. Patrick J. Wakefield, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and Occupational Health) OASA (I,L&E). [FR Doc. 99-3849 Filed 2-16-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-08-M