The Defense Threat Reduction Agency solicited public comment before preparing a draft programmatic environmental impact statement (DPEIS) to comprehensively address future agency test activities at White Sands Missile Range(WSMR), N.M. WSMR participated in the preparation of the DPEIS. The final PEIS will serve as an environmental reference for program planning and decision-making.

DTRA and its legacy organizations have been involved in test activities at WSMR since the 1940s. Today DTRA conducts tests to evaluate the lethality of conventional and advanced weapons against various targets. These tests assist in the development and implementation of new weapon technologies to reduce the threat of weapons of mass destruction. Mock enemy targets, including deeply buried and concrete-reinforced structures are used to test weapon systems.

DTRA hosted three public information sessions on the draft PEIS with WSMR representatives Aug. 12-14, 2003, in Las Cruces, Socorro and Alamogordo, N.M. The public comment period for that phase of the draft PEIS process ended Sept. 15, 2003.

The draft PEIS will be made available for public comment when it is completed. The draft document is expected to be ready for public review in spring 2005, with public meetings in summer 2005.

Public Scoping Meeting Briefing PowerPoint (3.03 MB) or .PDF (1.29 MB)