[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 64 (Monday, April 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17133-17134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7452]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Training Range
and Garrison Support Facilities Construction and Operation at Fort
Stewart, GA
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA).
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army has prepared a DEIS to analyze the
environmental and socioeconomic impacts resulting from the proposed
construction of 12 range projects and 2 garrison support facilities at
Fort Stewart, Georgia. Completion of these projects will better allow
the Army to support Soldier training requirements and will support Fort
Stewart's existing and future units. Construction of these projects
will help to ensure Fort Stewart can meet unit training requirements if
and when the pace of operational deployments slows.
DATES: The public comment period will end 45 days after the publication
of an NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency.
ADDRESSES: For further information regarding the EIS, please contact
Mr. Charles Walden, Project Manager, Directorate of Public Works,
Prevention and Compliance Branch, Environmental Division, 1550 Frank
Cochran Drive, Building 1137-A, Fort Stewart, Georgia
[[Page 17134]]
31314-4928. Written comments may be mailed to this address or e-mailed
to [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Dina McKain, Public Affairs
Office, at (912) 435-9874 during normal business hours.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To meet the needs of the Soldiers at Fort
Stewart, additional ranges and garrison support facilities are
required. This DEIS examines the potential environmental and
socioeconomic impacts of the construction and operation of 12 ranges
and 2 garrison support facilities to be constructed over a 4-year time
period. It also examines potential impacts to surrounding lands and/or
local communities.
The DEIS evaluates the following: A Multipurpose Machine Gun Range,
an Infantry Platoon Battle Course, a Known Distance Range, two Modified
Record Fire Ranges, a Qualification Training Range, an Infantry Squad
Battle Course, a Fire and Movement Range, a Digital Multipurpose
Training Range, a 25 Meter Zero Range, a Combat Pistol Range, and a
Convoy Live-Fire Course and associated engagement boxes. The Garrison
Support Facilities are a Sky Warrior Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)
facility and a 10th Engineering Battalion Complex, which would be
constructed in the cantonment area.
Three alternatives are considered: Alternative A--No Action, and
two action alternatives (Alternatives B and C). The No Action
Alternative is to continue the current mission and support activities
already occurring at Fort Stewart. The action alternatives would
greatly enhance Soldier training and overall unit readiness.
Alternatives B and C offer different sitings for the ranges and
garrison support facilities. Specified screening criteria were applied
to each alternative to ascertain and rate the impact, from both an
environmental and an operational perspective. Where possible,
Alternative B sites tend to utilize footprints of existing ranges,
limit the isolation of useful maneuver terrain, be located in relative
close proximity to the cantonment area for operational tempo, and
utilize the existing impact area without creating any new impact areas.
Alternative C sites tend to locate ranges on new ground where there has
not been a range in the past. Alternative C sites also have a greater
impact on training, range operation, off-site noise, and environmental
resources. Overall, Alternative B will not have as severe an
environmental impact as Alternative C, although some individual sites
may. After consideration of all anticipated operational and
environmental impacts, Alternative B is the Army's preferred
alternative.
Impacts are analyzed for a wide range of environmental resource
areas including, but not limited to, air quality, noise, water
resources, biological resources (to include protected species),
cultural resources, socioeconomics, infrastructure (utilities and
transportation), land use, solid and hazardous materials/waste, and
cumulative environmental effects. No significant impacts are
anticipated on any of these environmental resources.
The Army invites the public to comment on the DEIS and to
participate in public meetings which will be announced in local news
media. The DEIS is available at local libraries surrounding Fort
Stewart and the document may also be accessed at http://www.Fortstewart-mmp.eis.com. Comments from the public will be
considered before any decision is made regarding implementing the
proposed action at Fort Stewart.
Dated: March 19, 2010.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 2010-7452 Filed 4-2-10; 8:45 am]
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