[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 55312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22658]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Preparation of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
(PEIS) for the Growth, Realignment, and Stationing of Army Aviation
Assets
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: The Army announces its intent to prepare a PEIS for the
proposed growth, realignment, and stationing of new and existing Army
aviation assets. The proposed action includes the consolidation and
reorganization of existing aviation units, and the establishment of one
or more Combat Aviation Brigades (CABs). The proposed action will
increase the availability of rotary wing assets to meet current and
future national security requirements and will allow the Army better to
organize existing aviation assets to promote more effective training
and force management. The PEIS will evaluate the environmental impacts
associated with the proposed action, which includes the construction
and renovation of garrison facilities and additional training needed to
support the establishment and realignment of aviation units.
The Army is considering the following alternatives in the PEIS: (1)
Realign and consolidate existing aviation elements of up to a full CAB
at Fort Carson (CO) or Joint Base Lewis-McChord (WA); (2) implement
those actions discussed in Alternative 1; in addition, establish a new
CAB and station it at Fort Carson or Joint Base Lewis-McChord; and, (3)
No-Action Alternative that would retain the Army aviation force
structure at its current levels, configurations, and locations. No more
than one additional CAB would be assigned to either of the stationing
locations being considered. As part of Alternatives 1 and 2, aviation
units would conduct training on existing training land at either the
Yakima Training Center (YTC) (WA) or the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site
(PCMS) (CO) in order to maintain training proficiency and support
integrated training with ground units. Land acquisition is not being
considered as part of this action.
Fort Carson and Joint Base Lewis-McChord are the only stationing
alternatives that meet all of the Army's stationing requirements for
new CAB stationing. These locations provide an existing runway and
airfield, provide adequate maneuver and airspace for CAB operations,
and are equipped with existing training ranges that can support CAB
training. Each location is currently the home station of three or more
ground maneuver Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs), which allows the Army to
maximize integrated air/ground training. Joint Base Lewis-McChord and
Fort Carson are the only major installations that have three or more
BCTs but no CAB dedicated to provide aviation support for training.
Additionally, Joint Base Lewis-McChord has many of the existing
garrison facilities to accommodate CAB units while Fort Carson has
space available to construct additional CAB facilities.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to: Public Affairs Office, U.S.
Army Environmental Command, Attention: IMPA-AE, 5179 Hoadley Road,
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5401; fax (410) 436-1693; or e-mail
at [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Public Affairs Office at (410) 436-
2556.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A CAB consists of approximately 120
helicopters, 600 wheeled vehicles, and 2,700 Soldiers. The CAB is
organized into five battalions and a headquarters unit. CAB units
include combat, reconnaissance, and logistics support aircraft.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. et
seq.) and Federal Regulations (40 CFR part 1500 et seq. and 32 CFR part
651) require the Army to consider the environmental impact of its
actions and alternatives and to solicit the views of the public in
order to make a final decision on how to proceed.
The PEIS will assess, consider, and compare the direct, indirect,
and cumulative environmental effects of proposed CAB growth and
realignment for each alternative. The primary environmental issues to
be analyzed include (but are not limited to) impacts to air quality,
soil, airspace, cultural resources, natural resources, noise. In
addition, the Army will consider those issues identified by the public
and other organizations as part of the process.
Predicted environmental impacts associated with the implementation
of the proposed action at Fort Carson and Joint Base Lewis-McChord will
be analyzed to include increases in aviation activity, potential for
wildlife disturbance, as well as additional impacts to soils,
biological resources, surface water, and vegetation. Additional vehicle
traffic and growth in school population associated with an increase in
Soldier populations will also be analyzed. At YTC, there is increased
potential for vegetation and habitat degradation associated with
aviation training. At PCMS, cumulative impacts to soils are predicted
to be manageable with current dust control mitigation techniques.
Members of the public, including native communities and federally
recognized Native American Tribes, and federal, state, and local
agencies are invited to submit written comments on environmental
issues, concerns and opportunities to be analyzed in the PEIS. Written
comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the
Notice of Intent in the Federal Register.
Dated: September 2, 2010.
Hershell E. Wolfe,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 2010-22658 Filed 9-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P