Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Stationing and Training of Increased Aviation Assets Within U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK), 16331-16332 [07-1638]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 4, 2007 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Stationing and Training of Increased Aviation Assets Within U.S. Army Alaska (USARAK) Department of the Army, DoD. Notice of Intent. AGENCY: jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: The Army intends to prepare an EIS to assess the potential environmental impacts associated with the stationing and training of increased numbers and types of aviation assets within Alaska. The proposed increase and reorganization will allow the Army to transition to a force that is capable of providing a broad range of integrated aviation training experience to the forces of USARAK and more aviation capabilities when the unit deploys to support operational missions abroad. Existing aviation units would potentially be reorganized and stationed at Fort Wainwright, Fort Richardson or other military installations to support the training of aviation assets on U.S. Army training lands in Alaska. The reorganized unit would be capable of providing first line air transport, air reconnaissance, and close air support. The new aviation unit would be built around the existing USARAK aviation fleet of 30 medium and heavy lift transport helicopters, and USARAK’s 640 aviation personnel. To this the Army proposes to add helicopters capable of providing medical evacuation, air reconnaissance, close air support, and aviation attack capabilities. The proposed aviation unit, an Aviation Task Force or Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), would potentially consist of up to 62 medium and heavy lift helicopters, 30 combat scout helicopter, 24 attack helicopters, and between 1,200 to 2,850 personnel. This proposed stationing and training of increased aviation assets involves construction of new facilities, execution of day-to-day support operations, and routine joint military training at nearby training lands and ranges. The action may have significant environmental impacts resulting from training and construction required as part of the proposed reorganization. Significant impacts resulting from this action may include impacts to air space, noise, and cultural resources. The EIS will analyze the impacts of the proposed action and a full range of reasonable alternatives upon Alaska’s natural and man-made environments. DATES: Written comments identifying potential impacts to be analyzed in the VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:57 Apr 03, 2007 Jkt 211001 EIS must be received not later than May 4, 2007. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be forwarded to Ms. Carrie McEnteer, Directorate of Public Works, Attention: IMPA–FWA–PWE (C. McEnteer), 1060 Gaffney Road #4500, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703–4500; fax: (907) 353–9867; e-mail: carrie.mcenteer@us.army.mil. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Hall, Public Affairs Office, 724 Postal Service Loop Road, # 6000, Bldg. 600, Room B349, Fort Richardson, AK 99505–6000; telephone: (907) 384–2546, e-mail: robert.hall33@us.army.mil, or at Fort Wainwright, AK; telephone: (907) 353–6701. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To better support current and future national defense requirements, USARAK has restructured its two major military combat component units into modular force structures. These two components, the Stryker Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and Airborne BCT, have been reorganized to fit the Army’s Modularity model as directed by the Army Campaign Plan. The new force structure offers a more flexible, sustainable, and rapidly deployable force, better to meet current and future defense requirements. The goal is for each BCT to be able to operate either independently or to integrate readily into a larger mission-tailored force capable of accomplishing a designated mission. An essential element of USARAK combat capabilities is the development of modern war-fighting skills. Chief among these skills is the ability to integrate USARAK efforts with the vital support offered by modern Army aviation assets. These skills can only be mastered through frequent training with an aviation unit that is equipped with the full spectrum of aviation assets that are typically deployed to support a BCT during wartime. Such avaition units would provide infantry and light armored combat units first line air transport, air reconnaissance, and close air support. While USARAK has historically supported unit training activities within Alaska with rotary-winged aircraft (helicopters), the types and numbers of current assets are not sufficient to provide the full range of integrated tactical training required by the modern BCT. To resolve this shortcoming, USARAK is proposing to reorganize its existing aviation assets (approximately 640 personnel and 30 medium and heavy lift helicopters) to become a front line aviaiton unit with an increased capacity that could range in size from an Aviation Task Force (approximately PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16331 1,200 personnel, 40–50 medium and heavy lift helicopters, and 30 combat scout helicopters) to a CAB (approximately 2,850 personnel, 60 medium and heavy lift helicopters, 30 combat scout helicopters, and 24 attack aviaiton helicopters). The new aviation unit would provide key aviation assets for operational deployment abroad, and would serve to enhance the training capability of USARAK’s two BCTs by providing a local opportunity to conduct integrated training with multiple types of Army aviation assets. In addition to consideration of a No Action Alternative (use of existing aviation assets and infrastructure to support USARAK BCT training with no increase to current integrated land-air training capability), three additional alternatives are proposed as possible scenarios for the reorganization of existing USARAK aviation assets. The alternatives vary by aviation unit size, aviation asset composition, and amount of facility construction. Alternatives include: (1) Expansion of Existing Aviation Units into an Aviation Task Force with Full Construction and Increased Training—convert existing USARAK aviation assets into an Aviation Task Force (approximately 1,200 personnel, station additional helicopters, build sufficient new infrastructure to support indoor storage of 100% of the Aviation Task Force’s aviation inventory and conduct increased aviation training on existing Alaska military ranges; (2) Expansion of Existing Aviation Assets into a CAB with Partial Construction and Increased Training—convert existing USARAK aviation assets into a CAB, station additional helicopters, build sufficient new infrastructure to support indoor storage of 20% of the CABs aviation inventory and conduct increased aviation training on existing Alaska military ranges; and (3) Expansion of Existing Aviation Assets into a CAB with Full Construction and Increased Training—convert existing USARAK aviation assets into a CAB, station additional helicopters, build sufficient new infrastructure to support indoor storage of 100% of the CABs aviation inventory and conduct increased aviation training on existing Alaska military ranges. Additional potential alternative sites within Alaska will be evaluated based upon the purpose and need and criteria associated with the proposed action. Scoping and Public Comment: Tribes, Federal, state, and local agencies and the public are invited to participate in the scoping process for the preparation of this EIS. Scoping meetings will be held in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Delta E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM 04APN1 16332 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 4, 2007 / Notices Dated: March 26, 2007. Addison D. Davis, IV, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health). [FR Doc. 07–1638 Filed 4–3–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–M Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests Department of Education. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, invites comments on the proposed information collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 4, 2007. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency’s ability to perform its statutory obligations. The IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management, publishes that notice containing proposed information collection requests prior to submission of these requests to OMB. Each proposed information collection, grouped by office, contains the following: (1) Type of review requested, e.g., new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary of the collection; (4) Description of the need for, and proposed use of, the information; (5) Respondents and frequency of collection; and (6) Reporting and/or Recordkeeping burden. OMB invites public comment. The Department of Education is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) Is this collection necessary to the proper jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:57 Apr 03, 2007 Jkt 211001 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SUMMARY: On November 21, 2006, we published in the Federal Register (71 FR 67346) a notice inviting applications for the AP Test Fee FY 2007 competition. That notice established a January 5, 2007 deadline date for eligible applicants to apply for funding under this program. As a result of the applications we received, thirty-four awards were made on March 6, 2007. In order to afford as many eligible applicants as possible an opportunity to receive funding under this program, we are reopening the AP Test Fee FY 2007 competition to eligible applicants that were not awarded funds on March 6, 2007. All information in the November 21, 2006 notice remains the same for this notice reopening the competition, except for the following updates to DATES. DATES: Applications Available: April 4, 2007. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: April 18, 2007. Office of Postsecondary Education DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AGENCY: functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Dated: March 30, 2007. Angela C. Arrington, IC Clearance Official, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management. Junction, Alaska. The scoping process will help identify possible alternatives, potential environmental impacts, and key issues of concern to be analyzed in the EIS. Notification of the times and locations for the scoping meetings will be published in local newspapers. Type of Review: Reinstatement. Title: Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program Performance Report. Frequency: Annually. Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Gov’t, SEAs or LEAs. Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden: Responses: 57. Burden Hours: 570. Abstract: This information is required of State agencies that administer the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program under Title IV, Part A, Subpart 6 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended and administered under 34 CFR part 654. This information is used to monitor the compliance of the state educational agencies. Requests for copies of the proposed information collection request may be accessed from https://edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending Collections’’ link and by clicking on link number 3304. When you access the information collection, click on ‘‘Download Attachments’’ to view. Written requests for information should be addressed to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20202–4700. Requests may also be electronically mailed to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed to 202– 245–6623. Please specify the complete title of the information collection when making your request. Comments regarding burden and/or the collection activity requirements should be electronically mailed to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339. [FR Doc. E7–6279 Filed 4–3–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [CFDA No. 84.330B] Advanced Placement (AP) Test Fee Program Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Department of Education. ACTION: Notice reopening the AP Test Fee fiscal year (FY) 2007 competition. AGENCY: Note: Applications for grants under this program must be submitted electronically using the Governmentwide Grants.gov Apply site at https://www.grants.gov. For information about how to submit your application electronically, please refer to Electronic Submission of Applications in the November 21, 2006 notice (71 FR 67346–67348). We encourage eligible applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible to avoid any problems with filing electronic applications on the last day. Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: May 4, 2007. Ms. Lynyetta Johnson, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202–6200. Telephone: (202) 260–1990 or via Internet: advancedplacementprogram@ed.gov. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1– 800–877–8339. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this notice in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed in this section. Electronic Access to This Document: You may view this document, as well as FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM 04APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 4, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16331-16332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1638]



[[Page 16331]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 
Stationing and Training of Increased Aviation Assets Within U.S. Army 
Alaska (USARAK)

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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

SUMMARY: The Army intends to prepare an EIS to assess the potential 
environmental impacts associated with the stationing and training of 
increased numbers and types of aviation assets within Alaska. The 
proposed increase and reorganization will allow the Army to transition 
to a force that is capable of providing a broad range of integrated 
aviation training experience to the forces of USARAK and more aviation 
capabilities when the unit deploys to support operational missions 
abroad. Existing aviation units would potentially be reorganized and 
stationed at Fort Wainwright, Fort Richardson or other military 
installations to support the training of aviation assets on U.S. Army 
training lands in Alaska. The reorganized unit would be capable of 
providing first line air transport, air reconnaissance, and close air 
support. The new aviation unit would be built around the existing 
USARAK aviation fleet of 30 medium and heavy lift transport 
helicopters, and USARAK's 640 aviation personnel. To this the Army 
proposes to add helicopters capable of providing medical evacuation, 
air reconnaissance, close air support, and aviation attack 
capabilities. The proposed aviation unit, an Aviation Task Force or 
Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), would potentially consist of up to 62 
medium and heavy lift helicopters, 30 combat scout helicopter, 24 
attack helicopters, and between 1,200 to 2,850 personnel. This proposed 
stationing and training of increased aviation assets involves 
construction of new facilities, execution of day-to-day support 
operations, and routine joint military training at nearby training 
lands and ranges. The action may have significant environmental impacts 
resulting from training and construction required as part of the 
proposed reorganization. Significant impacts resulting from this action 
may include impacts to air space, noise, and cultural resources. The 
EIS will analyze the impacts of the proposed action and a full range of 
reasonable alternatives upon Alaska's natural and man-made 
environments.

DATES: Written comments identifying potential impacts to be analyzed in 
the EIS must be received not later than May 4, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be forwarded to Ms. Carrie McEnteer, 
Directorate of Public Works, Attention: IMPA-FWA-PWE (C. McEnteer), 
1060 Gaffney Road 4500, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703-4500; fax: 
(907) 353-9867; e-mail: carrie.mcenteer@us.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Hall, Public Affairs 
Office, 724 Postal Service Loop Road,  6000, Bldg. 600, Room 
B349, Fort Richardson, AK 99505-6000; telephone: (907) 384-2546, e-
mail: robert.hall33@us.army.mil, or at Fort Wainwright, AK; telephone: 
(907) 353-6701.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To better support current and future 
national defense requirements, USARAK has restructured its two major 
military combat component units into modular force structures. These 
two components, the Stryker Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and Airborne BCT, 
have been reorganized to fit the Army's Modularity model as directed by 
the Army Campaign Plan. The new force structure offers a more flexible, 
sustainable, and rapidly deployable force, better to meet current and 
future defense requirements. The goal is for each BCT to be able to 
operate either independently or to integrate readily into a larger 
mission-tailored force capable of accomplishing a designated mission.
    An essential element of USARAK combat capabilities is the 
development of modern war-fighting skills. Chief among these skills is 
the ability to integrate USARAK efforts with the vital support offered 
by modern Army aviation assets. These skills can only be mastered 
through frequent training with an aviation unit that is equipped with 
the full spectrum of aviation assets that are typically deployed to 
support a BCT during wartime. Such avaition units would provide 
infantry and light armored combat units first line air transport, air 
reconnaissance, and close air support.
    While USARAK has historically supported unit training activities 
within Alaska with rotary-winged aircraft (helicopters), the types and 
numbers of current assets are not sufficient to provide the full range 
of integrated tactical training required by the modern BCT. To resolve 
this shortcoming, USARAK is proposing to reorganize its existing 
aviation assets (approximately 640 personnel and 30 medium and heavy 
lift helicopters) to become a front line aviaiton unit with an 
increased capacity that could range in size from an Aviation Task Force 
(approximately 1,200 personnel, 40-50 medium and heavy lift 
helicopters, and 30 combat scout helicopters) to a CAB (approximately 
2,850 personnel, 60 medium and heavy lift helicopters, 30 combat scout 
helicopters, and 24 attack aviaiton helicopters). The new aviation unit 
would provide key aviation assets for operational deployment abroad, 
and would serve to enhance the training capability of USARAK's two BCTs 
by providing a local opportunity to conduct integrated training with 
multiple types of Army aviation assets.
    In addition to consideration of a No Action Alternative (use of 
existing aviation assets and infrastructure to support USARAK BCT 
training with no increase to current integrated land-air training 
capability), three additional alternatives are proposed as possible 
scenarios for the reorganization of existing USARAK aviation assets. 
The alternatives vary by aviation unit size, aviation asset 
composition, and amount of facility construction. Alternatives include: 
(1) Expansion of Existing Aviation Units into an Aviation Task Force 
with Full Construction and Increased Training--convert existing USARAK 
aviation assets into an Aviation Task Force (approximately 1,200 
personnel, station additional helicopters, build sufficient new 
infrastructure to support indoor storage of 100% of the Aviation Task 
Force's aviation inventory and conduct increased aviation training on 
existing Alaska military ranges; (2) Expansion of Existing Aviation 
Assets into a CAB with Partial Construction and Increased Training--
convert existing USARAK aviation assets into a CAB, station additional 
helicopters, build sufficient new infrastructure to support indoor 
storage of 20% of the CABs aviation inventory and conduct increased 
aviation training on existing Alaska military ranges; and (3) Expansion 
of Existing Aviation Assets into a CAB with Full Construction and 
Increased Training--convert existing USARAK aviation assets into a CAB, 
station additional helicopters, build sufficient new infrastructure to 
support indoor storage of 100% of the CABs aviation inventory and 
conduct increased aviation training on existing Alaska military ranges. 
Additional potential alternative sites within Alaska will be evaluated 
based upon the purpose and need and criteria associated with the 
proposed action.
    Scoping and Public Comment: Tribes, Federal, state, and local 
agencies and the public are invited to participate in the scoping 
process for the preparation of this EIS. Scoping meetings will be held 
in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Delta

[[Page 16332]]

Junction, Alaska. The scoping process will help identify possible 
alternatives, potential environmental impacts, and key issues of 
concern to be analyzed in the EIS. Notification of the times and 
locations for the scoping meetings will be published in local 
newspapers.

    Dated: March 26, 2007.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 07-1638 Filed 4-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
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