[Federal Register: March 18, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 53)]
[Notices]
[Page 14459-14460]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18mr08-65]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Notice of Intent (NOI) To Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for Transformation-Related Increased Training at Fort
Benning, GA (Maneuver Center of Excellence EIS)
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: In order to transform the Army, meet the increased national
security and defense requirements of the 21st century, maintain
training and operational readiness levels of the force,
[[Page 14460]]
and preserve a high quality of life for U.S. Army Soldiers and
Families, the Army has identified the need to increase its overall size
while continuing to restructure its forces in accordance with modular
Transformation decisions. On December 19, 2007, the Army signed a
Record of Decision (ROD) documenting its decision to proceed with
growth of the Active and Reserve components of the Army by 74,200
Soldiers through establishment of several new Brigade Combat Teams
(BCTs) and Combat Support and Combat Support Service units (CS/CSS).
The growth of the Army would allow for the adjustment of the
composition of its forces to continue to accommodate Transformation
objectives and create additional unit capabilities in high demand areas
where mission requirements exceed current manning authorizations. The
Army growth decision will result in increased demands for the use of
Fort Benning. Fort Benning will prepare a Maneuver Center of Excellence
EIS to analyze Grow the Army (GTA) site-specific requirements and
additional actions needed to support Base Realignment and Closure
(BRAC) implementation at Fort Benning.
In 2007 Fort Benning prepared a Final EIS for proposed
Transformation and Base Realignment and Closure activities and signed a
ROD selecting an alternative to proceed with several necessary projects
and activities (Final EIS for BRAC 05 Realignment and Transformation
Actions at Fort Benning, October 2007). Although Fort Benning itself
will not experience permanent force structure growth beyond that
analyzed in the BRAC 05 Realignment and Transformation EIS, it will be
required to increase training of transient student loads in order to
achieve and maintain the Army end-strength growth. The Fort Benning
Maneuver Center of Excellence EIS will therefore consider a proposed
action and reasonable alternatives for the Army to increase facilities
at Fort Benning to accommodate training requirements related to BRAC,
Global Defense Posture Realignment (GDPR), Army Modular Force
Initiatives (AMF), GTA and other related stationing activities.
ADDRESSES: For further information regarding the EIS, please contact
Mr. John Brent, Fort Benning Directorate of Public Works, Environmental
Management Division, Bldg 6 (Meloy Hall), Room 310, Fort
Benning, GA 31905. Written comments may be sent to Ms. Manganaro at
6751 Constitution Loop, Suite 550, Fort Benning, Georgia 31905.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Monica Manganaro, Fort Benning
Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-3438, or Mr. Brandon Cockrell at
(706) 545-3210 during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fort Benning consists of 181,275 acres of
DoD-managed land south and east of Columbus, Georgia on the banks of
the Chattahoochee River in eastern Alabama and western Georgia.
The Maneuver Center of Excellence EIS is directly related to the
BRAC 05 Realignment and Transformation Actions at Fort Benning EIS and
the Programmatic EIS for Army Growth and Force Structure Realignment.
The Maneuver Center of Excellence EIS will analyze impacts as a result
of continuing Army Transformation actions at Fort Benning, including
newly identified projects that are required to support GTA, and 2
changes or additions to BRAC and Transformation projects (including
GDPR and AMF) as analyzed in the BRAC 05 Realignment and Transformation
EIS.
The proposed action would include the construction, maintenance and
operation of additional facilities, training areas, including ranges
and maneuver areas to support new units and activities.
The Maneuver Center of Excellence EIS will analyze the impact of
several alternatives including the No Action Alternative. Alternatives
to be examined by the EIS may consist of alternative siting locations
within Fort Benning for facility and range construction projects,
selection of new construction only, renovation and use of existing
facilities, or a combination of both new construction and use of
existing facilities, and varying intensity and use of maneuver areas
within Fort Benning for training activities. Other alternatives may be
identified during the public scoping process.
Impacts analyzed will include a wide range of environmental
resource areas including, but not limited to, air quality, traffic,
noise, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources,
socioeconomics, utilities, land use, solid and hazardous materials/
waste, and cumulative environmental effects. Impacts to biological and
water resources, air quality, and utilities could possibly be
significant. Additional resources and conditions may be identified as a
result of the scoping process initiated by this NOI. The public will be
invited to participate in the 30-day scoping process which includes a
scoping meeting and commenting on the proposed action, alternatives,
and environmental issues of concern to be considered and addressed in
the EIS. Opportunities for public participation will be announced in
the local news media and at Fort Benning's Web site at https://
www.benning.army.mil/EMD/program/legal/index.htm. Comments from the
public will be considered before completion of a Draft EIS (DEIS).
Following completion of a DEIS the public will have an additional
opportunity for review and comment. The FEIS will make appropriate
changes based on public comments and will be released to the public for
a 30-day waiting period. After fully considering the FEIS, including
any public comments, the Army will sign a Record of Decision (ROD)
choosing an alternative to implement the proposed action at Fort
Benning. The ROD will not be signed prior to the expiration of 30 days
from the publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) of the FEIS.
Dated: March 10, 2008.
Addison D. Davis, IV
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E8-5219 Filed 3-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M