CHAPTER 1 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION.

1.1. The Munitions and Obscurants Division (MOD) within the West Desert Test Center (WDTC) at United States (U.S.) Army Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) has long conducted testing on a wide variety of conventional military munitions. Section 2.1.5.3 of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Activities Associated with Future Programs at U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground, (August 31, 2004) provides a description of conventional munitions testing at WDTC. The specific requirements for much of the Insensitive Munitions (IM) testing conducted are contained in MIL-STD-2105 C. (Department of Defense Test Method Standard, Hazard Assessment Tests for Non-Nuclear Munitions, 14 July 2003) and TB 700-2 (Joint Technical Bulletin, Department of Defense Ammunition and Explosives Hazard Classification Procedures, 5 January 1998).

1.2. About four years ago (2001), a congressional mandate expanded the IM testing requirement to include all munitions in the military inventory. Within U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), initiation of the bulk of this required testing has been delayed until it has become a time sensitive issue. According to one DoD official at a the DPG Commander’s Conference (July 2005), “…there is great need within DoD to do this testing…”. This newly mandated requirement provides a unique opportunity for DPG to expand its IM testing role at WDTC to fill this DoD need if a facility of sufficient size and capability can be provided.

1.3. Past IM testing at WDTC has been conducted at the RADPAD located southwest of Carr Area. The newest IM test guidelines (MIL-STD-2105 C and TB 700-2) require that when a tested munition is detonated, each of the fragments must be located, mapped and recovered. This requires a relatively flat, cleared area that exceeds the blast radius of the particular munition being subjected to IM testing. Some of the munitions presently undergoing IM testing at WDTC have a potential blast radius of about 500 feet. The RADPAD only allows a blast radius of about 300 feet and, due to its design and location, cannot be practically expanded. The maximum blast radius required for IM testing of presently fielded conventional munitions in the military inventory would be approximately 2000 feet according to a January 2005 Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) briefing by John Tatum and Mike Swisdak from A-P-T Research in Huntsville, AL. This potential future requirement cannot be met at the RADPAD, therefore MOD is seeking to establish a designated IM Test Grid on the northern part of the former V-Grid location north of Granite Mountain in the western part of DPG.

CHAPTER 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION

2.1. The proposed action is to design, construct, and operate a designated IM Test Grid at the former V-Grid location (see map on Page 3). The proposed facility would provide the space and capability for MOD to conduct the required IM testing on all conventional munitions presently in the military inventory at a single location at WDTC.

2.2 Military and Government Agency tests, training exercises, tactical maneuvers, weapons qualification, gunnery tables, munitions testing, and test and training facility construction projects have been successfully conducted at DPG for over fifty years. However, DOD and U.S. environmental regulations require that proposed test facility construction of this nature be carefully reviewed and evaluated using the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines under Army Regulation (AR) 200-2. The Final Environmental Impact Statement for Activities Associated with Future Programs at U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground, dated August 31, 2004, places additional requirements on the scope of this environmental assessment (EA).

2.3. Work on this EA was initiated by holding an internal “DPG Scoping Meeting” on 5 October 2005 wherein the proposed IM Test Grid was presented and discussed with representatives of the potentially affected organizations at DPG. The proposed IM Test Grid was presented to and approved by the Real Property Planning Board on 10 January 2006.

CHAPTER 3 ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION

3.1. This chapter describes the criteria used for comparing the various alternatives, the alternatives including the proposed action, and the application of these criteria to the process of selecting the proposed action.

3.2. Selection Criteria

3.2.1. Sufficient Size: The area selected for the proposed action must be of sufficient size to allow IM testing of all conventional munitions in the military arsenal, now and in the foreseeable future. This must include a relatively flat, circular, cleared area, expandable to a 2000-foot radius, to allow fragment documentation and retrieval.

3.2.2. DPG/WDTC Command Approval and Support. The selected area for the proposed action must have the approval and support of both the DPG Commander and the WDTC Commander. In 2002, MOD met with both Col. Harter (DPG commander at the time) and LTC Rasmussen (WDTC commander at the time) to discuss the need for an expanded, dedicated IM Test facility to meet the DoD requirement for increased IM testing of all conventional munitions in the military arsenal. MOD was directed to look at areas on either side of the active WDTC test areas (where outdoor stimulant testing is conducted). MOD met with LTC Tamilio (the present WDTC commander) in an Initial Command Review (ICR) in October 2004 and was directed to go ahead with the necessary approval process for setting up the proposed IM Test Grid. The proposed action was presented to the RPPB and approved on 10 January 2006.

3.2.3. Cost to Upgrade. Cost to upgrade the area selected for the proposed action must be acceptable to MOD and compatible with customer budgetary and time constraints.

3.2.4. Serviceable Command Post (CP). The nature of IM testing requires that the area selected for the proposed action have a serviceable, instrumented, and strategically located command post from which to oversee the IM testing process.

3.2.5. Electrical, Communication and Data Connections. Where possible, the area selected for the proposed action should have electrical, communication and data lines available at, or in close proximity to, the CP location.

3.2.6. Adequate Roads. The area selected for the proposed action must have adequate roads that are passable in all seasons.

3.2.7. Controlled Access During IM Testing. For safety reasons, the area selected for the proposed action must be able to have access easily controlled during actual IM testing.

3.2.8. Proximity to and Compatibility with other Tests and Test Facilities. The area selected for the proposed action must be sufficiently far from other test areas to allow both areas to be used concurrently. In addition, the selected area must be compatible with other test activities that have a need to use the area. Long-term coordination and communication would be necessary to avoid and resolve conflicts between planned tests before they occur.

3.2.9. Natural Resource Concerns. The area selected must have no over-riding natural resource concerns that would preclude its use as the location for the proposed action.

3.2.10. Cultural Resource Concerns. The area selected must have no over-riding cultural resource concerns that would preclude its use as the location for the proposed action.

3.2.11. Security for Classified IM Tests. The area selected for the proposed action must be able to be secured for possible future classified IM tests.

3.2.12. Regulatory/Permit Concerns. The area selected for the proposed action must have no incompatible or over-riding State or federal environmental permit concerns.

3.3. Alternatives.

3.3.1. Alternative A: No Action: Do not approve design, construction, and operation of a new IM Test Grid.

3.3.1.1. Non-approval of the design, construction, and operation of the IM Test Grid at WDTC would mean that the IM testing of conventional military munitions would continue at the same location (RADPAD) and at the same level as at present.

3.3.1.2. Due to its design and location the RADPAD cannot be expanded or improved to accommodate the new IM testing requirements.

3.3.1.3. This alternative is not responsive to the increasing opportunity for IM testing offered by the DoD-wide implementation of MIL-STD-2105 C and TB 700-2 . This alternative is not in the best interest of the defense of the U.S. and her allies, as compared to the proposed action nor is it in the best interest of increasing WDTC and MOD testing capabilities for DoD customers.

3.3.1.4. The no action alternative would not have any different environmental consequences than current operations. However, it would not achieve current national defense objectives and IM testing requirements. The no action alternative would not increase WDTC and MOD testing capabilities.

2.3.2. Alternative B. Approve the design, construction and operation of a new IM test grid on the playa/mudflats west of Granite Mountain and north of Goodyear Road or on the playa/mudflats east of Horizontal Grid.

3.3.2.1. These two generalized playa/mudflat areas were initially attractive because they have large, relatively flat areas that are devoid of vegetation.

3.3.2.2. These two generalized playa/mudflat areas were removed from further consideration after recognizing:

· Roads were inadequate or nonexistent and were seasonally restricted.

· No CP was available.

· Required electrical, communication, and data lines were unavailable.

· Upgrading any of the playa/mudflat sites to an acceptable standard could not be accomplished in a timely manner and would be cost prohibitive.

3.3.3. Alternative C. Approve the design, construction and operation of a new IM test grid on the Dugway Thermal Treatment Facility (DTTF)[formerly Open Burn-Open Detonation (OBOD)] site south of Carr Area.

3.3.3.1. The DTTF was initially attractive because:

· A large cleared area of sufficient size already exists.

· Although a CP would have to be constructed and electrical, communication, and data lines would have to be improved, the cost to upgrade the facility would likely be acceptable.

· The DTTF has no natural resource or cultural resource concerns.

3.3.3.2. The DTTF was removed from further consideration because:

· A potential security risk for possible future classified IM testing exists due to the close proximity of the DTTF to the eastern DPG boundary and off-post public access areas.

· A continued concern over regulatory and permitting issues. These concerns stem from the fact that the DTTF is regulated as a provisional Treatment Storage and Disposal (TSD) facility under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) interim status standards at 40 CFR part 265 and 40 CFR 270.71 (a) (1)(2)(3). DPG Directorate of Environmental Programs (DEP) and Utah Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste (UDSHW) have expressed the opinion that testing should not be allowed on the DTTF [28 November 2005 e-mail from John Bate (DEP) to Gary Richins (WD-EN) and others.]

3.3.4. Alternative D: The proposed action of this EA is to design, construct, and operate a designated IM Test Grid at the former V-Grid location (see map on Page 3). The proposed facility would provide the space and capability for MOD to conduct the required IM testing on all conventional munitions in the military inventory at a single location at WDTC.

3.3.4.1. The proposed IM Test Grid would encompass an area of about 1,924 acres (see map on Page 3). The proposed IM Test Grid would be in large part non-exclusive in the sense that its use as an IM Test area would be coordinated with WDTC Range Control and other test programs (Stryker, JSLSCAD, JCAD, JSLNBCRS, etc.) which have used this area in the past and will continue to use it in the future. The purpose of the larger IM Test Grid area is to allow MOD to control ingress and egress during the relatively short duration of an individual IM test.

3.3.4.2. Physical alteration to the existing landscape would occur at three (3) generalized locations on the proposed IM Test Grid (see map on Page 3):

· Less than 1 acre at the area surrounding the Control Point (CP). This would include re-establishing electrical connections to the CP, renovation and refurbishing the existing CP, removal of a sand berm adjacent to the CP, and clearing and renovation of an existing gravel parking lot.

· Less than 2 acres in the form of a 164-foot radius circle cleared of vegetation located on either side of an existing road a short distance northeast of the CP for use a bullet impact test area. Additional work in this area would involve depositing the sand from the berm adjacent to the CP into a new sand berm to be placed across the road east of the 164-foot radius cleared area. Future work at this location (as need dictates and funding permits) would include installation of a moveable gun mount on the western side of the cleared area.

· At its maximum planned future dimension, a 2000-foot radius (288.5 acres) circle, cleared of vegetation, would be established in the northeastern corner of the proposed IM Test Grid. The actual cleared area would be based upon the needs of individual IM tests. The 2000-foot radius maximum cleared area would accommodate IM testing of the largest conventional munitions in the current military inventory. It would likely be a period of several years before the maximum cleared area would be necessitated by IM testing requirements.

3.3.4.3. It is also proposed that several of the access roads to the actual test areas be upgraded by adding additional gravel or road base as project needs dictate and funding permits. (It was mentioned during the internal scoping meeting that large quantities of milled asphalt from the re-construction of the Michael Army Airfield runway may be available free of charge during 2006.)

3.3.4.4. The drop tower presently located at the RADPAD would be moved and relocated to the proposed IM Test Grid area as funding becomes available and future test requirements dictate.

3.3.4.5. Solid Waste Management Units (SWMU) and Hazardous Waste Management Units (HWMU)

3.3.4.5.1. Two SWMU have been identified in close proximity to the area of the proposed action. SWMU 117 lies within the area proposed to cleared (see map on Page 3). SWMU 117 has been closed and has been cleared for use by DEP. SWMU 118 has not been closed, but lies outside the area of the proposed action. DEP has indicated that this SWMU would not conflict with the proposed action [12 October e-mail from Gary Richins (WD-EN) to Scott Reed (DEP)] . There are no HWMU anywhere near the area of the proposed action.

3.3.4.6 This EA evaluates and assesses the environmental issues and impacts of the proposed action, in accordance with Section 651.20 Environmental Assessment, 32 CFR Part 651, Army Regulation (AR) 200-2 Environmental Analysis of Army Actions; Final Rule, dated March 29, 2002. This evaluation includes the potential impacts to human health and the natural environment. It should be noted that the only action that triggers an EA rather than a record of environmental consideration (REC) for this proposed project is the potential for soil surface disturbance in excess of five (5) acres. Since the proposed action has a potential soil surface disturbance of approximately 292 acres at its maximum iteration, preparation of an EA was required in accordance with (IAW) 32 CFR §651. This area was previously (30-40 years ago) used extensively as a test grid.

3.3.4.7 This proposed action alternative is responsive to the need to support additional enhanced IM testing for the DoD requirement under the requirements of MIL-STD-2105 C and TB 700-2. It is also responsive to the need to bring additional testing business to WDTC and DPG. This alternative is also in the best interest of the defense of the U.S. and her allies.

3.3.4.7. The proposed action would not result in any significant increased risk to either human health or the environment. It achieves current DoD IM testing objectives.

3.3.5. IM Test Grid Alternative Site Selection Matrix

3.3.5.1. The IM Test Grid Alternative Site Selection Matrix shown below details the selection criteria for each of the alternative sites summarized in the sections above:

· A “+” in the matrix indicates that a particular criterion was positive for a given site and argues positively for its selection.

· A “-” in the matrix indicates that a particular criterion was negative for a given site and argues negatively for its selection.

· A “+/-” in the matrix indicates that a particular criterion was neither positive nor negative for a given site and does not argue either positively or negatively for its selection.

· A “?” in the matrix indicates that not enough was known about a particular criterion for a given site.

PROPOSED IM TEST GRID SITE SELECTION MATRIX
Selection Criteria / Alternative Sites	Alternative A: No Action RADPAD	Alternative B: Playa/Mudflats	Alternative C: DTTF (OBOD)	Alternative D: Preferred Alternative V-Grid
1. Sufficient Size to Accommodate Present and Future IM Testing	-	+	+	+
2. DPG/WDTC Command Approval/Support	+/-	+/-	+/-	+
3. Cost to Upgrade	-	-	+/-	+
4. Serviceable Command Post (CP)	-	-	-	+
5. Electrical/Comm/Data Available On Site	+	-	-	+
6. Adequate Roads	+	-	+	+
7. Controlled Access During IM Tests	+	+	+	+
8. Proximity/Compatibility w/Other Tests and Test Facilities	-	+	+	+
9. Natural Resource Concerns	+	+	+	+/-
10. Cultural Resource Concerns	+	?	+	+
11. Regulatory/Permit Concerns	+	+	-	+
12. Security for Possible Classified Tests	+	+	-	+

CHAPTER 4 Affected environment