[Federal Register: March 16, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 51)]
[Notices]
[Page 12304-12305]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16mr04-31]
[[Page 12304]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the 2d Armored
Cavalry Regiment (ACR) Transformation and Installation Mission Support,
Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and Fort Polk, LA, and Long-Term
Military Training Use of Kisatchie National Forest Lands
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army, the USDA Forest Service, and the
DOT Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announce the availability of
the FEIS for the 2d ACR Transformation and Installation Mission
Support, Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and Fort Polk,
Louisiana, and Long-Term Military Training Use of Kisatchie National
Forest Lands. The FEIS evaluates environmental impacts associated with
the Army's proposal for implementing force transformation and mission
capability enhancements at the installation and at England Industrial
Airpark, along with long-term military training use of Kisatchie
National Forest lands. The Army's proposed action involves fielding of
new vehicles and equipment; construction and improvement of firing
ranges, roads, stream crossings, and support facilities; land use
agreements and leases; training and deployment of Army troops; and
continued environmental stewardship. In addition, the FEIS considers a
Forest Service proposal to thin approximately 21,500 acres of upland
pine stands on the Vernon Unit, Calcasieu Ranger District of the
Kisatchie National Forest to improve habitat conditions for the
endangered red-cocked woodpecker. The FAA proposes to approve an
amendment of the Alexandria International Airport Layout Plan as
influenced by proposed Army projects and activities at England
Industrial Airpark.
DATES: The waiting period will end 30 days after publication of the NOA
in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
ADDRESSES: Written comments or requests for copies of the FEIS may be
submitted to: Dan Nance, Fort Polk Public Affairs Office, 7073 Radio
Road, Fort Polk, LA 71459-5342; phone: (337) 531-7203; fax: (337) 6014;
e-mail: eis@polk.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the FEIS may be
directed to Ms. Stacy Basham-Wagner, Joint Agency Liaison, Attention:
AFZX-PW-E (Basham-Wagner), 1799 23rd Street, Fort Polk, LA 71459;
telephone (337) 531-7458, fax: (337) 531-2627. For further information
on the Forest Service's Record of Decision, contact Ms. Cynthia A.
Dancak, 2500 Shreveport Highway, Pineville, LA 71360; phone (318) 473-
7160.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In support of Army initiatives to meet
evolving security requirements, the Army has designated the 2d ACR to
transform to the 2d Cavalry Regiment, a medium-weight force equipped
with Stryker vehicles that will be strategically responsive and more
rapidly deployable by air. In addition to transformation of the 2d ACR,
units stationed at other Army installations would participate in
exercises at the JRTC and Fort Polk on a rotational basis. To these
ends, the Army proposes to implement force transformation and
installation mission support activities at the JRTC and Fort Polk with
respect to home station training (maneuver and gunnery exercises for
Army units assigned to Fort Polk), rotational unit exercises, and
facilities construction. The Army also proposes renewal of a Special
Use Permit agreement with the Forest Service for continued use of
Kisatchie National Forest lands to suport military training. The areas
of the Kisatchie National Forest proposed for Army use are known as the
Intensive Use Area and Limited Use Area of the Vernon Unit, Calcasieu
Ranger District and the Special Limited Use Area (also known as Horse's
Head) of the Kisatchie Ranger District.
Proposals for installation mission support involve 20 construction
projects that would occur on Army lands, national forest lands, and at
England Industrial Airpark in Alexandria, Louisiana. The projects
include 13 facilities in the Fort Polk cantonment area, digitization
and expansion of the Multi-Purpose Ranger Complex on Fort Polk's main
post, road construction/improvements and construction of a sniper range
in the Intensive Use Area, construction of 20 stream crossings in the
Limited Use Area, construction of 20 stream crossings in the Limited
Use Area, and 3 deployment support facilities at England Industrial
Airpark. The JRTC and Fort Polk also propose to create additional
helicopter training areas and to conduct limited types of non-live fire
training on private lands.
The Army is the lead agency in preparing the FEIS, and the Forest
Service and FAA are cooperating agencies. The decision to be made by
the Army, based on the results of the EIS and upon consideration of all
relevant factors (including mission, cost, technical factors, and
environmental considerations) is how to provide for military training,
readiness, and facilities requirements while ensuring the sustained use
of resources entrusted to the stewardship of the Army. The Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) intends to rely on analyses in this EIS
to make decisions concerning the Alexandria International Airport
Layout Plan as it may be affected by three Army projects proposed to
occur at the airport and consequent movement of aircraft, materiel, and
personnel through that facility.
Based on the FEIS, the Forest Service has decided to authorize
certain Army activities and land uses on Kisatchie National Forest
lands and to thin, over a 10-year period, approximately 21,500 acres of
upland pine stands in the Intensive Use Area to enhance habitat
conditions for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The Forest
Service (in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) has
also decided to classify as ``deleted'' red-cockaded woodpecker
clusters documented to have been inactive for a five-year period.
The FEIS identifies eight alternatives, two of which are analyzed
in detail: (1) The proposed action, summarized above, and (2) a no
action alternative. The FEIS also includes a mitigation and monitoring
plan developed by the Army and Forest Service to rectify, reduce, or
eliminate adverse effects to land cover, soils, water quality, and
biological resources.
The Forest Service's decision is subject to appeal pursuant to 36
CFR 215.11. A written appeal, including attachments, must be postmarked
or received within 45 days after the date of the legal notice of the
decision is published in the Alexandria Daily Town Talk. The Appeal
shall be sent to USDA, Forest Service, ATTN: Appeals Deciding Officer,
1720 Peachtree Rd., NW., Suite 811N, Atlanta, Georgia 30309-9102,
within 45 days of the date of the legal notice. Appeals may be faxed to
(404) 347-5401. Hand-delivered appeals must be received within normal
business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appeals may also be mailed
electronically in a common digital format to
appeals-southern-regional-office@fs.fed.us. Appeals must meet the content requirements of 36 CFR
215.14. If no appeal is received, implementation of the decision may
occur on, but not before, five business days from the close of the
appeal filing period. If an appeal is received, implementation may not
occur for 15 business days following the
[[Page 12305]]
date of appeal disposition (36 CFR 215.9).
Copies of the FEIS and Forest Service Record of Decision are
available for review at the following libraries: Allen Parish Library
(Oberlin Branch), 320 S. Sixth Street, Oberlin; Beauregard Parish
Library, 205 South Washington Avenue, DeRidder; Calcasieu Public
Library, 301 W. Claude Street, Lake Charles; East Baton Rouge Parish
Library, 7711 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge; Lafayette Public
Library, 301 W. Congress Street, Lafayette; Lincoln Parish Library, 509
West Alabama Avenue, Ruston; Natchitoches Parish Library, 431 Jefferson
Street, Natchitoches; New Orleans Public Library (Orleans Parish), 219
Loyola Avenue, New Orleans; New Orleans Public Library (Algiers Point
Branch), 725 Pelican Avenue, New Orleans; Ouachita Parish Library, 1800
Stubbs Avenue, Monroe; Rapides Parish Library, 411 Washington Street,
Alexandria; Vernon Parish Library, 1401 Nolan Trace, Leesville; Sabine
Parish Library, 705 Main Street, Many; and Shreve Memorial Library
(Caddo Parish), 424 Texas Street (71101), Shreveport. The FEIS, as well
as additional information concerning the EIS process, may be reviewed
at http: //notes.tetratech-ffx.com/PolkEIS.nsf.
Dated: March 9, 2004.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health) OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 04-5853 Filed 3-15-04; 8:45 am]
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