Nicholson said Dugway now plans to use the grid to test the new MONOPACK, a container for field soldiers to carry 120-millimeter mortar rounds. That is a form of insensitive munitions work for which Dugway is presently funded.

"For this test, it will be necessary to grade a 500-foot radius circle for fragmentation pickup. West Desert Test Center will be testing the MONOPACK to determine how well the container protects a standard 120 mm mortar round during routine shipping, storing and handling," she said.

She said the facility may be used for other tests later. "We have a lot of testing," she said.

Erickson is concerned: "You don't build a facility for one test. You use it for ongoing activities." He said that could still lead to expanded missions with big explosives tests, to go along with chemical and biological defense work at the base. "They are trying to grab every mission they can get their hands on."

Erickson also complained that when Dugway changed its plans, it should have extended the comment period on its environmental assessment and plans for another 30 days.

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E-mail: lee@desnews.com