97675. DoD Seeks Public Comments on New Environmental Rules
By Lisa E. Stafford
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON -- Public comments on rules for
environmentally safe transfers of military training ranges
to civilian use are invited at a series of DoD regional
meetings starting this month.
The first forum is scheduled Oct. 22 in Jacksonville,
Fla. Others will be held Oct. 29 in Baltimore, Nov. 5 in
Kansas City, Mo., and Dec. 10 in Reno, Nev. All will be from
3 to 9 p.m. local time.
The services are giving up ranges previously used for
ordnance training and weapons testing as part of the base
realignment and closure process and other transfer
arrangements. The forums will examine potential
environmental impacts of issuing a "Range Rule" vs.
alternatives and will help decision makers assess resulting
plans.
"Years of day-to-day experience in managing
environmental programs have taught us many valuable
lessons," said Sherri W. Goodman, deputy undersecretary of
defense for environmental security. "One of the most
important lessons is that public involvement is key to our
overall success.".
The meetings will include exhibits and get-acquainted
sessions with the DoD Range Rule team, composed of
technical, legal, health and safety specialists. Question
and answer periods throughout the day will become part of
the public record.
The forums will also give the public the chance to
review and comment on an environmental impact statement to
be prepared in connection with the rules.
Forum locations are::
o Jacksonville -- Radisson Riverwalk Hotel and
Conference Center, 1515 Prudential Drive; (904) 396-5100.
o Baltimore -- Best Western Hotel and Conference
Center, Baltimore Travel Center, 5625 O'Donnell St.; (410)
633-9500.
o Kansas City -- Crowne Plaza Hotel, 4445 Main St.;
(816) 531-3000.
o Reno -- Lawlor Events Center, Hall of Fame Room,
University of Nevada, North Virginia and 15th Streets; (702)
784-4659.
Copies of DoD's proposed Range Rule will be available
at the forums, or you can obtain a copy by writing to:
Department of Defense Range Rule
PO Box 4137
Gaithersburg, MD 20885-4137.
Call toll-free (888) 541-1081 or (800) 870-6557 for the
hearing impaired. Send fax requests can be sent to (800)
670-6547. The e-mail address is fbarrule@b-r.com; the World
Wide Web address is http://www.acq.osd.mil/ens/ with the
link words "Munitions Range Rule."
##END##