Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Transformation of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's (PAARNG) 56th Brigade Into a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) at the National Guard Training Center (NGTC)-Fort Indiantown Gap (FITG), PA, 44579-44580 [05-15278]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 148 / Wednesday, August 3, 2005 / Notices funds serving under career, careerconditional, temporary and excepted service appointments on whom suitability, discipline, grievance, and appeal records exist. CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: Documents and information pertaining to discipline, grievances, and appeals. AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM: 5 U.S.C. 1302, 3301, 3302, 7301; E.O. 11557; E.O. 11491; E.O. 12564 and E.O. 9397 (SSN). accessible only to personnel who are properly screened, cleared and trained. RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: Records are destroyed upon separation of the employee from the agency or in accordance with appropriate records disposal schedules. SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESSES: Chief, Manpower and Personnel, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 45045 Aviation Drive, Dulles, VA 20166–7517. PURPOSE(S): For use by agency officials and employees in the performance of their official duties related to management of civilian employees and the processing, administration and adjudication of discipline, grievances, suitability and appeals. ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES: In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, these records or information contained therein may specifically be disclosed outside the DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows: Appeals examiners of the Merit Systems Protection Board to adjudicate appeals. The Comptroller General or his authorized representatives and the Attorney General of the United States or his authorized representatives in connection with grievances, disciplinary actions, suitability, and appeals, and to Federal Labor Relations officials in the performance of official duties. The ‘Blanket Routine Uses’ published at the beginning of DTRA’s compilation of system of records notices apply to this system. POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: STORAGE: Records are stored in paper folders. RETRIEVABILITY: Records at Defense Threat Reduction Agency are retrieved alphabetically by last name of individual. Records at Kirtland Air Force Base are filed by Social Security Number. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE: Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system of records should address written inquiries to the General Counsel, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060– 6201. The letter should contain the full name and signature of the requester and the approximate period of time, by date, during which the case record was developed. RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES: Individuals seeking access to information about themselves contained in this system of records should address written inquiries to the General Counsel, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060–6201. The letter should contain the full name and signature of the requester and the approximate period of time, by date, during which the case record was developed. CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: The DTRA rules for accessing records and for contesting contents and appealing initial agency determinations are published in DTRA Instruction 5400.11; 32 CFR part 318; or may be obtained from the General Counsel, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060–6201. RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES: Supervisors or other appointed officials designated for this purpose. SAFEGUARDS: Buildings are protected by security guards and an intrusion alarm system. Records are maintained in locked security containers in a locked room EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM: [FR Doc. 05–15359 Filed 8–2–05; 8:45 am] VerDate jul<14>2003 15:22 Aug 02, 2005 Jkt 205001 None. BILLING CODE 5001–06–P PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44579 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Transformation of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s (PAARNG) 56th Brigade Into a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) at the National Guard Training Center (NGTC)—Fort Indiantown Gap (FITG), PA National Guard Bureau (NGB), Department of the Army, DoD. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Department of the Army and NGB have proposed to transform the PAARNG’s 56th Brigade into an SBCT. This DEIS discusses in-depth three alternatives: (1) the Preferred Alternative, (2) Train Using Existing Army Facilities Alternative, and (3) the No Action Alternative. Under the Preferred Alternative, the PAARNG proposed construction of new training and support facilities at NGTC–FTIG; at Fort Pickett, Virginia; and at local PAARNG facilities across the State of Pennsylvania, as well as conducting Annual Training (AT) at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, in order to accomplish requisite training. Under the Train Using Existing Army Facilities Alternative, no construction at NGTC– FTIG or Fort Pickett would occur; the statewide facilities improvements would occur. Required SBCT Inactive Duty Training (IDT) and AT would be conducted at select regional Army training installations using existing facilities. Other alternatives considered but eliminated from detail study are also addressed in the DEIS. DATES: The comment period for the DEIS will end 45 days after publication of an NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Written comments or materials should be forwarded to Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Cleaver, NGTC–FTIG Public Affairs Officer, PADMVA Headquarters, Building O–47, Annville, Pennsylvania 17003–5002 or Captain Patricia Rickard, NGTC–FTIG EIS Project Officer, NGTC–FTIG Environmental Section, 1119 Utility Road, Annville, Pennsylvania 17003– 5002. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Colonel Cleaver at (717) 861–8468 or Captain Richard at (717) 861–2580. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PAARNG, while developing this DEIS, conducted studies concentrated on E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1 44580 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 148 / Wednesday, August 3, 2005 / Notices possible effects on the following issue areas: land use; air quality; noise; geology; topography and soils; water resources; biological resources; cultural resources; socioeconomics; environmental justice; infrastructure; and hazardous and toxic materials and wastes (HTMW). Significant impacts would be anticipated from both action alternatives, although the Preferred Alternative would result in greater impacts. The Train at Existing Army Facilities Alternative would result in fewer impacts but would not achieve the purpose of and need for the Proposed Action as effectively and efficiently as the Preferred Alternative. Studies concluded that implementation of the Preferred Alternative would result in some significant but unmitigable impacts to air quality, geology and soils, and biological resources, and would result in significant but mitigable impacts to land use, water resources, cultural resources, and the HTMW. The Preferred Alternative would also result in beneficial impacts to socioeconomics and to minority and low income populations. The Train Using Existing Army Facilities Alternative would result in significant unmitigable impacts to air quality (e.g, via fugitive dust during training episodes) and would negate the beneficial socioeconomic impacts of the Preferred alternative in the vicinities of NGTC–FTIG and Fort Pickett; the statewide (Pennsylvania) socioeconomic benefits would still occur. The No Action Alternative would result in no significant impacts but would not achieve the established purpose of and need for the Proposed Action. SBCT is a new concept that uses technology and information to improve the abilities of Army units. This change will allow the Army greater flexibility and will improve the variety of missions to which they can respond. The SBCT will use the ligher, more efficient, and more maneuverable Stryker vehicle to increase the speed at which Soldiers are transported to conflict areas, and will provide protective cover as Soldiers dismount and move by foot to desired target areas. The Stryker also enables Soldiers to obtain time sensitive, critical information and intelligence from their commanders and to maintain constant communication via refined satellite links and internet connections. This is a radical departure from the way Soldiers fight today and requires new ranges, training facilities and training protocols, as well as high-tech communication facilities, to ensure the military readiness and preparedness of the SBCT’s to fulfill military objectives. VerDate jul<14>2003 15:22 Aug 02, 2005 Jkt 205001 Dated: July 28, 2005. Daphne Kamely, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and Occupational Health) OASA (I&E). [FR Doc. 05–15278 Filed 8–2–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Military Training Activities at Makua Military Reservation (MMR), HI Department of the Army, DoD. Notice of availability. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Army proposes to conduct military training exercises at MMR, Oahu, Hawaii, for units assigned to the 25th Infantry Division (Light) (25th ID(L)) and for other military components. Other military components that have used MMR in the past include the Marine Corps, Army Reserves, and the Hawaii Army National Guard. Conducting live-fire exercises at the company level and below is critical to maintaining the readiness of all military units assigned or stationed in Hawaii in particular because training at the company level is one of the key building blocks in the Army’s progressive training doctrine. Under this doctrine, Soldiers first train as smaller units and then train collectively as part of a large unit. In addition, the training received by a company commander during a company-level combined-arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) is invaluable in teaching Soldiers the skills required to coordinate and integrate the combined arms support provided by aviation, artillery, mortar, and combat engineer support teams. These communication and coordination skills are essential when several companies combine as a battalion under the control of a battalion commander. The DEIS addresses, among other things, the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts associated with the proposal to conduct military training activities at MMR. The DEIS development process was conducted in accordance with the Settlement Agreement and Stipulated Order between Malama Makua and the Department of Defense (filed October 4, 2001). DATES: Submit comments on or before September 21, 2005. ADDRESSES: Direct questions and/or written comments to, or request a copy of the DEIS from Mr. Gary Shirakata, Programs and Project Management PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, ATTN: CEPOH–PP–E (Shirakata), Building 230, Fort Shafter, HI 96858–5440. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gary Shirakata at (808) 438–0772; by email at MakuaEIS@poh01.usace.army.mil; or by facsimile at (808) 438–7801. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS analyzes three alternatives to accomplish the proposed training on Oahu: Alternative 1 (Reduced Capacity Use with Some Weapons Restrictions), Alternative 2 (Full Capacity Use with Some Weapons Restrictions), Alternative 3 (Full Capacity Use with Fewer Restrictions). Alternative 3 is the Army’s Preferred Alternative. A No Action Alternative, under which no military training would be conducted, also was evaluated. For all alternatives (with the exception of No Action), MMR would be used for 242 training days per year. Alternative 1 (Reduced Capacity Use) involves conducting up to 19 to 28 company-level CALFEXs per year. Alternatives 2 and 3 (Full Capacity Use) involve conducting up to 50 companylevel CALFEXs per year. Weapon systems used for all three training alternatives would be similar to those used during current training. In addition to the current weapons systems, Alternative 2 incorporates the use of tracer ammunition. Alternative 3 (Preferred Alternative) adds tracer ammunition; inert, tube-launched, opticallly-tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missiles; 2.75-caliber rockets; and illumination munitions. Alternative 3 also would include use of an expanded training area that would utilize the ridge between the north and south lobes of the training area. Some of the major potential impacts discussed in the DEIS are associated with contamination of soil, surface water, and groundwater, air quality; cultural sites; natural resources; endangered and threatened species; noise; recreational resources; wildfires; and the safety and transport of munitions through the Waianae community. Comments on the DEIS will be considered in preparing the Final EIS. Public meetings to receive comments on the DEIS will be held along the Waianae Coast, Oahu. Notification of the times and locations for the public meetings will be published in local newspapers and the Hawaii Office of Environmental Quality Control Bulletin. Copies of the DEIS are available for review at the following libraries: Hawaii State Library, 478 South King Street, E:\FR\FM\03AUN1.SGM 03AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44579-44580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15278]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 
Transformation of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's (PAARNG) 56th 
Brigade Into a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) at the National Guard 
Training Center (NGTC)--Fort Indiantown Gap (FITG), PA

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

ACTION:  Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of the Army and NGB have proposed to transform 
the PAARNG's 56th Brigade into an SBCT. This DEIS discusses in-depth 
three alternatives: (1) the Preferred Alternative, (2) Train Using 
Existing Army Facilities Alternative, and (3) the No Action 
Alternative. Under the Preferred Alternative, the PAARNG proposed 
construction of new training and support facilities at NGTC-FTIG; at 
Fort Pickett, Virginia; and at local PAARNG facilities across the State 
of Pennsylvania, as well as conducting Annual Training (AT) at Fort 
A.P. Hill, Virginia, in order to accomplish requisite training. Under 
the Train Using Existing Army Facilities Alternative, no construction 
at NGTC-FTIG or Fort Pickett would occur; the statewide facilities 
improvements would occur. Required SBCT Inactive Duty Training (IDT) 
and AT would be conducted at select regional Army training 
installations using existing facilities. Other alternatives considered 
but eliminated from detail study are also addressed in the DEIS.

DATES: The comment period for the DEIS will end 45 days after 
publication of an NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or materials should be forwarded to 
Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Cleaver, NGTC-FTIG Public Affairs 
Officer, PADMVA Headquarters, Building O-47, Annville, Pennsylvania 
17003-5002 or Captain Patricia Rickard, NGTC-FTIG EIS Project Officer, 
NGTC-FTIG Environmental Section, 1119 Utility Road, Annville, 
Pennsylvania 17003-5002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Colonel Cleaver at (717) 
861-8468 or Captain Richard at (717) 861-2580.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PAARNG, while developing this DEIS, 
conducted studies concentrated on

[[Page 44580]]

possible effects on the following issue areas: land use; air quality; 
noise; geology; topography and soils; water resources; biological 
resources; cultural resources; socioeconomics; environmental justice; 
infrastructure; and hazardous and toxic materials and wastes (HTMW). 
Significant impacts would be anticipated from both action alternatives, 
although the Preferred Alternative would result in greater impacts. The 
Train at Existing Army Facilities Alternative would result in fewer 
impacts but would not achieve the purpose of and need for the Proposed 
Action as effectively and efficiently as the Preferred Alternative. 
Studies concluded that implementation of the Preferred Alternative 
would result in some significant but unmitigable impacts to air 
quality, geology and soils, and biological resources, and would result 
in significant but mitigable impacts to land use, water resources, 
cultural resources, and the HTMW. The Preferred Alternative would also 
result in beneficial impacts to socioeconomics and to minority and low 
income populations. The Train Using Existing Army Facilities 
Alternative would result in significant unmitigable impacts to air 
quality (e.g, via fugitive dust during training episodes) and would 
negate the beneficial socioeconomic impacts of the Preferred 
alternative in the vicinities of NGTC-FTIG and Fort Pickett; the 
statewide (Pennsylvania) socioeconomic benefits would still occur. The 
No Action Alternative would result in no significant impacts but would 
not achieve the established purpose of and need for the Proposed 
Action.
    SBCT is a new concept that uses technology and information to 
improve the abilities of Army units. This change will allow the Army 
greater flexibility and will improve the variety of missions to which 
they can respond. The SBCT will use the ligher, more efficient, and 
more maneuverable Stryker vehicle to increase the speed at which 
Soldiers are transported to conflict areas, and will provide protective 
cover as Soldiers dismount and move by foot to desired target areas. 
The Stryker also enables Soldiers to obtain time sensitive, critical 
information and intelligence from their commanders and to maintain 
constant communication via refined satellite links and internet 
connections. This is a radical departure from the way Soldiers fight 
today and requires new ranges, training facilities and training 
protocols, as well as high-tech communication facilities, to ensure the 
military readiness and preparedness of the SBCT's to fulfill military 
objectives.

    Dated: July 28, 2005.
Daphne Kamely,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I&E).
[FR Doc. 05-15278 Filed 8-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.