The U.S. Army is exploring options for modernizing its testing grid at Dugway Proving Ground in Skull Valley and is giving the public a chance to weigh in.

At a Monday scoping meeting at the Salt Lake City Library, Army officials said they are assessing options to improve facilities used to test chemical and biological defense technology.

"We're doing things to try to help ... in the defense of our nation," said Col. Robert E. Jones Jr., commander of Dugway Proving Ground.

Jones said that includes seeking public comments and concerns as they compile environmental assessment data for proposed testing grid improvements.

Louis Anderson, a Dugway researcher, said officials at the testing grounds want to upgrade the test grid with state-of-the-art sensors, communications equipment and an indoor meteorological test grid.

Anderson said they expect the modernization will provide researchers with accurate, reliable analysis of chemical and biological defense equipment.

"We're taking what we're currently doing, and we're making it quicker, stronger and more robust," Anderson said. "And that's going to result in improved chemical defense for our war fighters."

Anderson said earlier Monday that testing at the remote Army base has increased since the 9/11 attacks. While tests using compounds that simulate chemical or biological agents are ongoing, Anderson said there is also a need to upgrade the methods that mimic the means by which an enemy might spread an actual agent.

Part of the plans for Dugway's grid is to build several 10-meter-high towers that will house equipment to monitor open-air tests of simulated agents, recording a number of different readings as a cloud of compounds travels over the grid. Anderson stressed that Dugway's plans do not include expanding the actual grid.

In September, Congress approved $130 million for Utah defense bases and contractors. About $2.4 million went to Dugway Proving Ground, Utah State University's Space Dynamics Laboratory and ITT for work on a Light Detection and Ranging system to detect chemical and biological agents.

Located next to Skull Valley at the southern edge of Tooele County, the Dugway Proving Ground has been criticized by watchdog groups about what they call a lack of openness about numerous health, safety and environmental issues related to testing done decades ago.

Citizens Education Project director Stephen Erickson, who has been critical of Dugway officials for what he calls "a lack of specificity and details," attended Monday's scoping meeting and said he appreciated the information received.

"The more you do that, the better I feel about it," he said.

Another scoping meeting is scheduled for Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Tooele Court Emergency Operation Center Conference Room at 47 S. Main in Tooele.

More information is available by calling the Dugway Public Affairs Office at 435-831-2116 or 3361.

Where to send Dugway comments

Questions and comments concerning the modernization of the test grid at Dugway Proving Ground can be sent to:

U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground

Public Affairs Office

TEDT-DP-PA

5450 Doolittle Road

Dugway, UT 84022-5002

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Contributing: Stephen Speckman

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E-mail: jdana@desnews.com