The following was published in Beauregard Daily News, September 6th, 2000,
DeRidder, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana.
Department of the Army
Headquarters, Joint Readiness
Training Center (JRTC)
and Fort Polk
Fort Polk, Louisiana
Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI)
On August 29, 2000, Colonel Fred P. Pickens, U.S. Army Deputy Commander, JRTC and Fort
Polk made a decision to allow the 7th Chemical Company to conduct aerial releases of a
biological simulant during ongoing field training exercises with the Biological Integrated
Detection System (BIDS). The simulant approved for use is the spore form of Bacillus
Subtillis, a non-pathogenic bacterium commonly found in soils, water and decomposing plant
material. Prior to use, the bacterial spores will be irradiated and thereby rendered
non-viable. (dead) The simulant will be released at three sites on Army owned land at the
JRTC and Fort Polk. Release of the simulant will be conducted in accordance with an
approved Standing Operating Procedure governing the storage, handling and use; Releases
will occur only under meteorological conditions where off-post drift of the simulant is
not probable. Use of the irradiated B. subtillis spores under the approved conditions
poses no risk to human health or the environment. Aerial release of the simulant will
allow the 7th Chemical company to simulate the release of a biological agent by hostile
forces and to train in the operation of BIDS equipment to detect such releases.
The decision was based on a FNSI and the accompanying environmental assessment (EA). The
FNSI and EA were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969. (42 U.S.C. 4321 et req.) Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts
1500-1508) and Army Regulation 200-2, "Effects of Army Actions" (32 CFR Part
651). Additional information and copies of the EA and FNSI may be obtained from the JRTC
and Fort Polk Public Affairs Office. (PAO) At the address below. Comment regarding this
decision may also be submitted to the PAO for 30 days following the date of this notice.
Public Affairs Office
ATTN: Carol Conner
7078 Radio Road
Fort Polk, La. 71459-5342
connerc@polk.army.mil
For further information you can contact Public Affairs at Ft. Polk. Contact:
Carol Conner . I have several old numbers to Ft. Polk's Public Affairs
( 337-531-1344, 337-531-2714, 337-531-7203.)