[CPEO-MEF] Assistance Needed

[Steve@miltoxproj.org]

Hello all:

A request for help from Montana.  As some of you may know, the Montana Air
National Guard proposes to build a new air-to-ground training range near the
Fort Belknap Indian community.  According to the proposal, only inert
munitions would be used at the range.

Members of the White Clay Society - a traditional society in the community -
are concerned about the proposed range and its impact on cultural sites and
practices, among other things.

A draft Environmental Impact Statement has just been released and the public
comment period extends through September 24, 2001.  Anyone willing to review
the EIS and make comments to those in the community concerned about impacts
from the range would be much appreciated.

Areas of concern include:

1) Most importantly, impacts on historic and cultural sites and practices.
2) Potential environmental and health impacts of inert munitions training.
3) Realiability of estimates about what percentage of munitions will land
within the impact area and safety buffer zone.
4) Procedures and cost for environmental maintenance of the range.
5) Potential for use of live munitions in the future.
6) Environmental justice concerns.

Copies of the EIS are available on-line at 
https://www.cubicdata.com/montanarange-eis/Main/main.asp 
or you can request a paper or CD-ROM copy from Major Tammy Mitnik, Air
National Guard/CEVP, 3500 Fetchet Ave., Andrews AFB, MD, 20762 or email
CEVP@ang.af.mil

If anyone is willing to review all or part of the EIS, or speak to the local
group and advise them, please contact me and I can provide more background
and a local contact.  I can be reached at Steve@miltoxproj.org or (207)
783-5091.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Steve

Steve Taylor
National Organizer
Military Toxics Project
(207) 783-5091

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