[Federal Register: May 7, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 89)]
[Notices]
[Page 25568-25569]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07my04-47]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the
Digital Multi-Purpose Range Complex at Fort Benning, GA
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Digital Multi-Purpose Range Complex (DMPRC) would provide
gunnery training facilities for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) and
the Abrams M1A1 Tank System (Tank), providing the capability for both
active and reserve components to train to required standards under
realistic conditions. Fort Benning proposes to construct, operate, and
maintain a DMPRC. The DMPRC would provide a state-of-the-art range
facility to meet the Army's training needs for soldiers to conduct
gunnery courses in a realistic training environment by expanding the
Installation's training capacity. The current ranges on Fort Benning do
not meet modern gunnery standards and are inadequate to support full
gunnery training and qualifications, requiring training to modified
standards. The project would include construction of the firing and
target area, installation of fiber optics, construction of support
facilities, upgrading and construction of associated roadways,
installation of utilities to support the site, construction of a
helipad, construction of other related equipment and facilities, and
operation and maintenance of the DMPRC.
[[Page 25569]]
DATES: To be considered in preparation for the Record of Decision
(ROD), comments must be received not later than June 7, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Please direct written comments or requests for copies of the
Final Environmental Impact statement (FEIS) to Mr. Richard McDowell,
Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Army Infantry Center, ATTN: ATZB-PO, Fort
Benning, GA 31905-5122 or e-mail to mcdowellr@benning.army.mil.
Comments may also be submitted via the Fort Benning Web site: www-
benning.army.mil/EMD/dmprcLegal&PublicNotices.htm (where the FEIS is
also available for review).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard McDowell, Public Affairs
Officer, U.S. Army Infantry Center, ATTN: ATZB-PO, Fort Benning, GA
31905-5122, (706) 545-2211, or e-mail to mcdowellr@benning.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fort Benning is the ``Home of the Infantry''
and conducts training for elements of Mechanized Infantry Division
units. Tank and BFV crews must train and qualify at different skill
levels (gunnery tables) that are designed to develop and test the
proficiency level of individuals, crews, and platoons. Existing
facilities at Fort Benning do not currently meet training standards for
advanced gunnery qualification. Specifically, the existing range
targetry is antiquated; the natural terrain features of Hastings Range
hamper training effectiveness and efficiency; the nearness to the
Installation boundary restricts training due to noise; and the lack of
digital components on the existing range delays the analysis of the
training exercise.
The Army proposes to construct, operate, and maintain a DMPRC. The
FEIS analyzes the No Action/Status Quo and two action alternatives. The
notice of intent to prepare an EIS for the DMPRC included another
alternative, Transport to Fort Stewart; however, further analysis
determined that this alternative was not reasonable. Alternatives
considered in detail in the FEIS are:
1. No Action--Continue to conduct gunnery training on existing
ranges on Fort Benning, utilizing existing facilities.
2. Construct, operate and maintain a DMPRC in Training Compartment
K21 on Fort Benning. The range dimensions would be approximately 1,500
meters by 4,500 meters and cover about 1,800 acres plus support
facilities; however these dimensions would be subject to site-specific
design requirements and may be modified. The DMRPC would include a
firing and target area with 3 tank trails, numerous stationary and
moving targets, trenches and berms, maintenance roads; a helipad;
utilities and communication systems; and support facilities on about 25
acres including control and instruction buildings, maintenance and
storage buildings. The DMPRC would include a safety zone that is
inaccessible during operation of the range.
3. Preferred Alternative--Construct, operate and maintain a DMPRC
in Training Compartment D13 on Fort Benning with the same approximate
dimensions and facilities as described for Alternative 2.
Both Alternatives 2 and 3 would also include changes in training on
other ranges (Cactus, Carmouche, and Hastings) to incorporate the new
DMPRC into the training regime.
The DMPRC FEIS includes analyses of the potential environmental
consequences, including cumulative impacts that each alternative may
have on many environmental and socioeconomic resources or topics,
including: Soils and vegetation, water quality, wetlands and
streambanks, unique ecological areas, Federally and state listed
species, migratory birds, socioeconomics, land use, cultural resources,
utilities, noise, air quality, public health and safety, hazardous
materials and wastes, and transportation. The findings indicate that
the No Action alternative has the fewest potential impacts because no
construction is proposed; however, noise concerns would continue and
the needed improvement in range facilities would not be achieved.
Alternatives 2 and 3 would have some potential adverse impacts to
several of the studied resources; however, mitigations to either avoid
or reduce those impacts are identified in the FEIS, and both
alternatives would result in less noise disturbance from BFV and tank
weaponry firing.
Joseph H. Plunkett,
Director, Southeast Region, U.S. Army Installation Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 04-10448 Filed 5-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M