From Deseret News archives:

Explosion grid revived

Dugway again plans to build munitions-testing site

Published: Friday, April 21, 2006 12:13 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Just two weeks after the Army supposedly killed a proposed Utah facility that would test the safety of munitions by using potentially huge explosions, Dugway Proving Ground has resurrected it.

The Utah base plans anew to build its proposed "Insensitive Munitions Test Grid," even though the Army says the mission for which it was first proposed will go instead to Arizona's Yuma Proving Ground.

Dugway says it now figures it needs the new test grid anyway for other testing it already has under contract.

Watchdog groups are not so sure. "It sounds like a classic bait-and-switch," said Steve Erickson, director of the Citizens Education Project and a longtime critic of Dugway.

Dugway initially proposed the facility — which would include clearing all vegetation in a circle with a diameter of up to 4,000 feet — to allow blowing up all types of munitions in the U.S. arsenal under varying circumstances, mapping dispersal and collecting the pieces. Some explosions could be huge.

Dugway said in planning documents that the facility could help attract a lucrative new mission: ensuring that all U.S. munitions are safe from unintended explosions caused by accidents or enemy fire.

Story continues below
Munitions that do not detonate under any conditions other than their intended mission to destroy an enemy target are called "insensitive munitions." Congress recently ordered ensuring that all U.S. munitions are insensitive, which could lead to safer storage, handling and transportation.

"There is a great need within DoD (the Department of Defense) to do this testing," a draft environmental assessment prepared by Dugway said. "This newly mandated requirement provides a unique opportunity for DPG (Dugway) to expand its. . . testing role at WDTC (West Desert Test Center) to fill this DoD need if a facility of sufficient size and capability can be provided."

It added, "A positive economic effect might be realized as a result."

Plans appeared to die two weeks ago when the Army's Developmental Test Command said all future insensitive munitions testing would go instead to Yuma. Dugway spokesman Paula G. Nicholson said then that the base would not sign its draft environmental assessment and would not build the new test facility.

Plans changed this week.

Nicholson said that "all impacts to existing workload were not considered prior to the decision not to sign. After considering all impacts, Dugway Proving Ground intends to sign the EA and use the planned facility in support of existing work."

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Deseret Morning News graphic

previousnext

Latest comments

I want to go to Mexico on vacation and spend some time with my family. I can...

PETA targeting U. laboratories

If your kid is dying of a chronic illness you will kill some rats, mice,...

I always thought it was great when a teacher was finally earning what she or...

Never happen. Period... What the UHSAA needs to look at is the feeder...

Good thing I never call... what was that number again?

OK alarmists. Let's all get in line to wring our hands over the monkey with...

They will need it.

Remembering Nemelka

As a member of the church my self, And as Someone who has served my community...

Read the blogs, the guy was saying he was barely an athlete and could compete...

No, general education as found at a college or university is not offered at a...

Advertisements
Advertisement