Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS), Colorado, Transformation Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Evaluation of Continued Land Withdrawal under Public Law 104-201, 60482 [06-8641]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Department of the Army
• Army Department

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 198 (Friday, October 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 60482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8641]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site 
(PCMS), Colorado, Transformation Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) and Evaluation of Continued Land Withdrawal under Public Law 
104-201

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army announces the availability of a DEIS that 
evaluates the implementation of transformational activities at the 
PCMS, Colorado. The PCMS is a training center area administered and 
used by military units stationed at, or otherwise under the 
responsibility of, Fort Carson, Colorado. Implementation actions 
associated with these transformational activities include training of 
additional Soldiers at the PCMS, and as funds become available, 
constructing a limited number of facilities in the cantonment and 
training areas, and increasing the use of the PCMS maneuver training 
lands.

DATES: The public 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 the 
PCMS NEPA Coordinator (proponent), Directorate of Environmental 
Compliance and Management, 1638 Elwell Street, Building 6236, Fort 
Carson, Colorado 80913-4000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PCMS NEPA Coordinator via phone at 
(719) 526-0912; fax: (719) 526-1705; or e-mail: 
pcmsnepa@carson.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action and subject of the DEIS 
is the implementation of three major Army transformation programs at 
the PCMS: Base Realignment and Closure; Integrated Global Presence and 
Basing Strategy (also known as Global Defense Posture Realignment); and 
the Army Modular Force initiative. Implementing these transformation 
programs would require training of additional troops at the PCMS, 
construction of a limited number of storage facilities in the 
cantonment (to include a Brigade Support Complex, medical facilities, 
storage facilities, Soldier support functions, a vehicle maintenance 
facility, motor pools, and upgraded roads and utilities) and in the 
training areas (a live hand-grenade range, an ammunition holding area, 
a protective equipment training facility, upgrades to an existing 
small-arms range, and communication facilities), and increasing the use 
of the PCMS maneuver training lands.
    The transformation of the PCMS would occur between 2006 and 2011, 
although planned construction projects would be built as funding 
becomes available and some may occur in out years. Upon completion of 
transformation activities, the PCMS would be responsible for supporting 
the large-scale ground maneuver and small arms live-fire training needs 
of the approximately 23,000 active duty Soldiers stationed at Fort 
Carson as well as potentially thousands of Reserve Component Soldiers 
in the western United States. Supporting increased training would 
involve an increased use of the PCMS maneuver training lands and small 
arms ranges, including a greater number of and longer-duration training 
rotations.
    The alternatives considered in the DEIS include the Proposed Action 
(Preferred Alternative) and No Action. Other action alternatives were 
considered and discussed in the DEIS but were not analyzed further 
because they did not meet the purpose and need for the Proposed Action 
or, in accordance with President's Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations, were not ``ripe for decision.'' The substantive issues 
analyzed in this DEIS include land use, air quality, noise, geology and 
soils, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, 
socioeconomics (including environmental justice), transportation, 
utilities, hazardous and toxic substances, and cumulative environmental 
effects.
    Additionally, the Army has made a determination of a need for the 
continued withdrawal of approximately 2,500 acres of public land and 
approximately 130,000 acres of publicly owned land with mineral rights 
from the public domain. The withdrawal of these lands and minerals was 
extended until 2011 by Public Law 104-201, the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997. The law requires the Army to 
reevaluate the need for these withdrawals to continue after 2011 and 
hold a public hearing concerning the evaluation. The DEIS documents the 
Army's continued military need for these lands and evaluates the 
environmental effects of the continued military use of withdrawn lands.
    The Army will hold public meetings in Trinidad, Colorado, and La 
Junta, Colorado, to receive comments on the DEIS and land withdrawal. 
The Trinidad meeting will be held on November 2, 2006 from 5:30 p.m. to 
7:30 p.m. at the Trinidad State Junior College, Sullivan Center, 600 
Prospect Street, Trinidad, Colorado. The La Junta meeting will be held 
on November 3, 2006 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Otero Junior 
College, Student Center Banquet Room, 2001 San Juan Avenue, La Junta, 
Colorado.
    An electronic version of the DEIS can be viewed or downloaded from 
the following URL: https://www.hqda.army.mil/acsim/brac/nepa_eis_
docs.htm.

    Dated: October 6, 2006.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 06-8641 Filed 10-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M