[Federal Register: March 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 48)]
[Notices]               
[Page 12956]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11mr08-40]                         


[[Page 12956]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

 
Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) for the Renewal of the Special Use Permit (SUP) for 
Military Activities on the De Soto National Forest and Implementation 
of Installation Mission Support Activities at Camp Shelby, MI

AGENCY: National Guard Bureau (NGB), Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The NGB has decided to proceed with the proposed action to 
renew the SUP for a 20-year period and construct, operate, and maintain 
the projects listed in the final EIS including the reconfiguration of 
the Combined Arms Area.

ADDRESSES: To request a copy of the ROD please contact Mr. Tim Powell, 
Public Affairs Officer, Joint Forces Headquarters, Mississippi National 
Guard, P.O. Box 5027, Jackson, Mississippi, 39296-5027.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tim Powell at (601) 313-6349. The 
alternate point of contact for this action is Major Robert A. Lemire, 
at (601) 313-6228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Consistent with the decision to renew the 
SUP and proceed with the proposed action and analyses described in the 
FEIS, the NGB shall: (1) Commit personnel and resources to implement 
the ``Preferred Alternative,'' (2) commit personnel and resources to 
support operations and training at Camp Shelby, (3) maintain 
operations, training and facilities at Camp Shelby, and (4) implement 
and program funds for the appropriate monitoring and mitigation 
measures associated with the approved activities as discussed in the 
FEIS.
    The development and implementation of the SUP Operating Plan; 
identification and implementation of appropriate best management 
practices and mitigation measures; and continued monitoring of key 
environmental resources will be accomplished.
    The present monitoring and mitigation procedures that are employed 
at Camp Shelby and will continue to be employed to address potential 
adverse effects from construction, operation, and maintenance of the 
proposed new projects include a wide range of environmental resource 
areas, but primarily focus on protection and conservation of proposed, 
endangered, threatened, and sensitive (PETS) species (particularly the 
gopher tortoise due to its prevalence on Camp Shelby), protection of 
soil, minimization of erosion/sedimentation, and protection of 
wetlands. For this SUP renewal proposal, the Mississippi National Guard 
(MSNG) has revised and updated the mitigation and monitoring program 
set forth in the 1994 SUP EIS and ROD. The MSNG's commitment to monitor 
is intended to ensure that the impacts from military training are 
periodically assessed and that adverse impacts are addressed/mitigated 
once identified. Since 1994, the MSNG has conducted this monitoring in 
cooperation with the Forest Service on all lands within the boundaries 
of Camp Shelby.
    As part of the development of the proposed renewed SUP, the 
continuation of this monitoring is required to ensure that the lands 
used by Camp Shelby meet the federal requirement for multiple use and 
that the lands are managed to ensure that they are protected from 
irreversible harm for future generations. Monitoring will be conducted 
on 13 program areas: noise, PETS species, biodiversity, wildlife, 
streams, wetlands, soil loss, timber, vegetation, invasive species, 
wildfire, road closure for military training, and cultural resources. 
Information included for these monitoring program areas include 
delineation of the data requirements, sample information, frequency of 
collection and reporting, responsible party, basis for action, and 
actions required if the impact threshold occurs.
    The ROD can be found at: http://www.ngms.state.ms.us/env/
Natural%20Resources/nat--resources--06. htm.

    Dated: February 28, 2008.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E8-4535 Filed 3-10-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3710-08-M