Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site Training and Operations Final Environmental Impact Statement, 13352-13353 [2015-05736]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Department of the Army

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13352-13353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05736]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Pi[ntilde]on Canyon Maneuver Site Training and Operations Final 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for proposed training and 
operations at Pi[ntilde]on Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS), CO. PCMS is the 
maneuver site for Fort Carson and is located near Trinidad, CO, 
approximately 150 miles southeast of Fort Carson. The Final EIS 
evaluates the environmental impacts associated with the proposed 
action, which is to conduct realistic, coordinated, large-scale 
training that integrates the ground and air resources of Fort Carson's 
mechanized, infantry, support, and combat aviation units.
    In addition to the No Action Alternative, the Final EIS considers 
two alternatives: Alternative 1A, which would establish new brigade-
level training intensity measures, update brigade training and 
equipment requirements, and enable the Stryker family of vehicles to 
train at PCMS; and Alternative 1B, which would include Alternative 1A 
and add enhanced readiness training, to include new activities and 
infrastructure at PCMS. The proposed action does not include, nor would 
it require, land expansion of PCMS.

DATES: No decision will be made until 30 days after publication of the 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent by email to 
usarmy.carson.imcom-central.list.dpw-ed-nepa@mail.mil or by postal 
service to the Fort Carson NEPA Program Manager, Directorate of Public 
Works, Environmental Division, 1626 Evans Street, Building 1219, Fort 
Carson, CO 80913-4362, or call (719) 526-4666.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Fort Carson Public Affairs Office 
at (719) 526-7525, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. MST; 
or by email to: usarmy.carson.hqda-ocpa.list.pao-officer@mail.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS has been prepared to meet the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to 
evaluate the environmental and socioeconomic impacts, as well as 
cumulative impacts, of implementing proposed actions at PCMS. The Final 
EIS takes into consideration public, agency, and tribal nation comments 
received on the Draft EIS.
    Soldiers stationed at Fort Carson need to train together, in an 
integrated manner, during large-scale collective training events. 
Integrated brigade combat team (BCT) level training is necessary at 
PCMS; without such training, Fort Carson Soldiers would be forced to 
train in their tasks in isolation, and not in the integrated manner in 
which they would fight. The Final EIS affords Fort Carson the 
opportunity to review its environmental program and the current state 
of the environment on PCMS.
    Alternative 1A would establish a benchmark for brigade-level 
training intensity using the historic limitation of 4.7 months to allow 
for land rest and recovery. This alternative would enable Fort Carson's 
Stryker BCT to conduct

[[Page 13353]]

training at PCMS using the Stryker family of vehicles.
    Alternative 1B includes Alternative 1A and new training activities 
and training infrastructure changes at PCMS. Training activities in the 
Final EIS include electronic jamming systems, laser target sighting, 
tactical demolition, unmanned and unarmed aerial reconnaissance 
systems, and light unmanned ground vehicle training. In terms of 
training infrastructure, PCMS would establish two new drop-zones, and 
restricted airspace directly over PCMS for use during periods when 
training activity poses a hazard to non-participating aircraft. The 
restricted airspace would be activated as required by training 
scenarios. Among the changes made since publication of the Draft EIS 
are the removal of aviation rocket (2.75 inch) and flare training, 
removal of two of the original eight demolition sites from the proposed 
action, and reduction in the maximum charge per blast at one of the six 
remaining sites. The decision-maker may select all of the elements in 
Alternative 1B or only some (or none in the No Action alternative). 
Alternative 1B is the Army's preferred alternative.
    Implementation of the proposed action could have significant 
impacts to soils, vegetation, wildlife, and water resources. The Final 
EIS identifies potential mitigation measures to reduce adverse impacts.
    Soldier training would be entirely within the existing boundaries 
of PCMS, except for limited air and convoy operations. The proposed 
action does not include, nor would it require, any land expansion of 
PCMS. No additional land will be sought or acquired as a result of this 
action.
    The U.S. Army plans to issue a Record of Decision no earlier than 
30 days after the date of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 
Notice of Availability. The Record of Decision will include adoption of 
mitigation measures. The Final EIS is available at https://www.carson.army.mil/DPW/nepa.html.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-05736 Filed 3-12-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P