Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Resumption of Year-Round Live-Fire Training at Eagle River Flats (ERF), Fort Richardson, AK, 46447-46448 [07-4038]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 160 (Monday, August 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46447-46448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-4038]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 
Resumption of Year-Round Live-Fire Training at Eagle River Flats (ERF), 
Fort Richardson, AK

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Army intends to prepare an EIS to assess the potential 
environmental impacts associated with the resumption of year-round 
live-fire weapons training at Fort Richardson, including use of direct 
and indirect fire weapons systems. The EIS will analyze the proposed 
action's impacts upon the natural and manmade environment.

DATES: Written comments identifying potential impacts to be analyzed in 
the EIS must be received not later than September 19, 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: Please contact Mr. Robert Hall, Public 
Affairs Office, 724 Postal Service Loop Road 6000, Building 
600, Room B349, Fort Richardson, AK 99505-6000; telephone: (907) 384-
2546, e-mail: robert.hall33@us.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fort Richardson has undergone extensive 
transformation in recent years, including stationing of the 4th Brigade 
Combat Team (Airborne); 25th Infantry Division (Light); and temporary 
stationing of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry 
Division. The proposed action would allow units to train year round at 
Fort Richardson and receive necessary weapons proficiency training. 
Weapons proficiency is a critical component of combat, and training 
must include live-fire exercises using both direct and indirect fire 
weapons. Indirect fire refers to the use of weapons such as artillery 
and mortars to fire at targets from beyond line-of-sight distances or 
from positions where line-of-sight is not possible. Direct fire, in 
contrast, is the use of small arms, machine guns, rockets, or missiles 
to fire at targets that can be observed or are within the line-of-
sight.
    The ERF Impact Area is the only impact area on Fort Richardson 
which can be used for live-fire artillery and

[[Page 46448]]

mortar training. The Army has utilized ERF for weapons training since 
the 1940s and a wide range of direct and indirect fire weapons have 
been used at this site, including mortars, howitzers, missiles, 
rockets, and small arms. Currently, ERF can only be used for live-fire 
weapons training during winter months when wetland sediments are 
frozen, which requires Fort Richardson units to travel to Fort 
Wainwright and Donnelly Training Area to complete training requirements 
during the summer. Firing restrictions were imposed in 1991 following 
completion of an environmental assessment that established a link 
between firing munitions containing white phosphorus and waterfowl 
mortality at ERF. The intent of limiting weapons firing to winter 
months was two-fold; first, to reduce possible disturbance and 
redistribution of white phosphorus within wetlands in order to decrease 
the chance for additional waterfowl mortality; and, second, to mitigate 
possible noise impact on ERF until such time as the Army properly 
evaluated the effect on resident wildlife.
    Following the discovery that white phosphorus was the cause of 
waterfowl mortality in 1991, Fort Richardson (to include the ERF 
ordnance impact) was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) under 
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 
Act (CERCLA). A comprehensive remedial investigation was undertaken as 
part of the CERCLA process and white phosphorus was determined to be 
the only contaminant of concern at ERF. In 1998, a CERCLA Record of 
Decision that outlined the process for cleanup of white phosphorus at 
ERF was signed by the U.S. Army Alaska, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, and the State of Alaska. Remedial actions at ERF have resulted 
in successful treatment of 99% of the wetlands and reduced waterfowl 
mortality to acceptable levels in accordance with the Record of 
Decision.
    Environmental conditions have significantly improved at ERF since 
1991, and the Army is proposing to reassess potential impacts at ERF 
from year-round use. U.S. Army Alaska proposes to remove existing 
winter only live-fire restrictions and return to year-round weapons 
training in order to fulfill current training needs at Fort Richardson. 
Both direct and indirect fire weapons would be used. Use of white 
phosphorus containing munitions in ERF would still be banned under the 
proposed action.
    Potential impacts resulting from the proposed action include 
possible disturbance of white phosphorus lying below the surface in 
contaminated areas, accumulation of munitions residues, increased 
noise, and physical disturbance of natural resources. The environmental 
components to be evaluated in the EIS include environmental health and 
safety, wildlife and fisheries, soil, water resources, cultural 
resources, noise, air quality, vegetation, and socioeconomics. Analysis 
of additional environmental components may be added based upon input 
from agency and tribal consultations and public scoping.
    A range of reasonable alternatives, including an alternative 
considering ``No Action'' will be developed and analyzed in the EIS. 
The No Action Alternative represents the status quo with respect to 
live-fire training at ERF. Alternatives to be considered include 
varying the degree, timing, and location of weapons training at Fort 
Richardson and will take into consideration environmental components 
such as migratory bird and beluga whale migrations. Other alternatives 
reasonably capable of meeting the project purpose and need and criteria 
that may be raised during the scoping process will be considered.
    Scoping and Public Comment: Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, 
Native Alaskans, Native Hawaiian groups, Federal, State, and local 
agencies, organizations, and interested members of the public are 
invited to participate in the scoping process for the completion of 
this EIS by participating in scoping meetings or submitting written 
comments. The scoping process will help identify possible alternatives, 
potential environmental impacts, means to mitigate adverse 
environmental impacts, and key issues of concern to be analyzed in the 
EIS. Scoping meetings will be held in Anchorage, Alaska and surrounding 
areas. Notification of the times and locations for the scoping meetings 
will be published in local newspapers.

    Dated: August 5, 2007.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 07-4038 Filed 8-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M