SAN NICOLAS ISLAND : Army Delays Study on Missile Testing

A study that details how planned missile testing off the Ventura County coastline would affect the environment has been delayed until fall, U.S. Army officials said.

The report is the final step necessary before the Army decides which of four sites around the world will be selected to test missiles such as the Patriot--first made famous during the Persian Gulf War when it knocked down incoming Iraqi Scud missiles.

Army spokesman Ed Vaughn said the delay was caused by the service’s need for additional research at two of the four proposed sites being considered for the testing program.

Local environmental activists have decried bringing the missile testing program to Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, fearing the effect of spent booster rockets, air pollution and other potential threats to the environment.

Vaughn said the Army plans to conduct about 100 tests starting later this year and running through the year 2000. The testing process involves launching an offensive missile and then sending a defensive missile to destroy it. A variety of defensive intercept missiles will be evaluated during the program.

In addition to the California site, the Army is considering sites in New Mexico, Florida and at the Kwajalein Missile Range in the Central Pacific Ocean.

If the western site is chosen, defensive missile tests would be conducted primarily off of Navy-owned San Nicolas Island, but also from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County and San Clemente Island off the Orange County coast.

Vaughn said last week the final environmental impact report is now scheduled to be released publicly next fall. A final decision on the site will be announced 30 days later.