Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Renewal of the Special Use Permit (SUP) for Military Activities on the De Soto National Forest and Implementation of Installation Mission Support Activities at Camp Shelby, MS, 857-858 [07-6286]

Download as PDF BILLING CODE 5001–06–C DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Renewal of the Special Use Permit (SUP) for Military Activities on the De Soto National Forest and Implementation of Installation Mission Support Activities at Camp Shelby, MS National Guard Bureau (NGB), Department of the Army, DoD. ACTION: Notice of Availability. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: This FEIS has been prepared by the NGB and the U.S. Department of Agriculture—Forest Service (USDA–FS). NGB is the lead agency and the USDA– FS is serving as a cooperating agency in the development of this FEIS for the renewal of the current SUP that authorizes military training activities at Camp shelby Training Site. DATES: The waiting period for the FEIS will end 30 days after publication of an NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ADDRESSES: Written comments or questions regarding the FEIS may be forwarded to Mr. Tim Powell, Public Affairs Officer, Joint Forces Headquarters, Mississippi National Guard, P.O. Box 5027, Jackson, Mississippi, 39296–5027. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:42 Jan 03, 2008 Jkt 214001 Mr. Tim Powell, Public Affairs Officer, at (601) 313–6349. The alternate point of contact for this action is Major Robert A. Lemire, Mississippi Army National Guard, Director Environmental Programs at (601) 313–6228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This FEIS discusses in-depth two alternatives: the Preferred Alternative and the No-Action Alternative. Under the Preferred Alternative, the Mississippi National Guard (MSNG) proposes the renewal of the USDA–FS SUP for a 20-year timeframe and authorizes current activities and mission requirements to continue on State of Mississippi, DoD, and National Forest lands. This alternative will help meet the Army requirements associated with the Proposed Action by constructing various new ranges and facilities at Camp Shelby and allowing for the continuation of necessary maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of the infrastructure at Camp Shelby. The No Action Alternative would authorize the renewal of the SUP for a 10-year timeframe (same as previous SUP) and military activities would continue as currently permitted. this alternative would not authorize the proposed construction of new ranges and facilities and improvements and improved management practices. Other alternatives considered but eliminated from detailed study are also addressed in the FEIS. the potential for significant FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [FR Doc. 07–6285 Filed 1–3–08; 8:45 am] PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 857 impacts exists for both alternatives; however with the implementation of the ongoing and proposed mitigation and monitoring measures, the unavoidable adverse impacts can be mitigated to an acceptable level. Under the preferred alternative, current activities and mission requirements will continue on State of Mississippi, DoD, and National Forest lands. This alternative includes implementation of the projects and programs discussed in this FEIS, in addition to the continuation of necessary maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of the military training infrastructure at Camp Shelby. Environmental consequences for the proposed actions; e.g. renewal of the SUP, and construction, operation, and maintenance of several new projects at Camp Shelby have been analyzed. The new project proposals have the potential for the following adverse impacts: (1) Direct and/or indirect effects on habitat for other proposed, endangered, threatened, and sensitive species such as Louisiana quillwort (federal endangered species), black pine snake (federal candidate species), and other state and USDA–FS sensitive plant species. There would be direct positive effects on the red-cockaded woodpecker when colonies are relocated into the proposed Habitat Management Area at sometime in the future. (3) Direct and/or indirect effects on approximately 275 acres of wetlands E:\FR\FM\04JAN1.SGM 04JAN1 EN04JA08.004</GPH> Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 3 / Friday, January 4, 2008 / Notices 858 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 3 / Friday, January 4, 2008 / Notices (requiring fill of an estimated 20 acres of wetlands). Direct effects by removal of approximately 120 acres for pine and hardwood forested areas. (5) Direct effects by movement of approximately 250,000 cubic yards of earth and resulting direct and/or indirect effects from erosion and sedimentation. The proposed Combined Arms ARea (CAA) reconfiguration in this FEIS would result in a 4,300 acre reduction in the amount of unavoidable impacts associated with forest clearing/thinning from the scope of the CAA last addressed and approved for construction in the 1994 SUP EIS. Also associated with the CAA is the proposed Combined Arms Collective Training Facility (CACTF), which would be colocated within the CAA maneuver areas to be cleared and/or thinned and would not require any further significant timber removal. This reduction of approximately 4,300 acres of impacts is an improvement from an environmental standpoint over the original plan and it still meets military training requirements. The No Action alternative has two subsets, one related to the SUP and the other to actions associated with mission support (construction in the cantonment area and the range and training area). In regards to the SUP, this is defined as renewal of a 10-year SUP for ‘‘continuation of military activities as presently permitted.’’ This alternative does not allow for improved and future mission requirements, future military construction funding, improved management practices, and a 20-year SUP permit. A copy of the FEIS can be found at the following Web site: https:// www.ngms.state.ms.us/env/Natural%20 Resources/nat_resources_06.htm. Following the 30-day waiting period, a Record of Decision will be signed. Dated: November 13, 2007. Addison D. Davis, IV, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health). [FR Doc. 07–6286 Filed 01–03–08; 8:45 am] jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES BILLING CODE 3710–08–M VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:42 Jan 03, 2008 Jkt 214001 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Western Area Power Administration Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects Firm Power, Colorado River Storage Project Transmission and Ancillary Services Rates—Rate Order No. WAPA–137 Western Area Power Administration, DOE. ACTION: Notice of Proposed Power Rates. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing adjustments to the Salt Lake City Area Integrated Projects (SLCA/IP) firm power rates and the Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) Transmission and Ancillary Services Rates. The SLCA/IP consists of the CRSP, Collbran, and Rio Grande projects, which were integrated for marketing and ratemaking purposes on October 1, 1987, and two participating projects of the CRSP that have power facilities, the Dolores and Seedskadee projects. The current rates, under Rate Schedule SLIP–F8, expire September 30, 2010, but are not sufficient to meet the SLCA/IP revenue requirements. The proposed rates will provide sufficient revenue to pay all annual costs, including operation, maintenance, and replacements (OM&R), interest expenses, and the required repayment of investment within the allowable period. The only proposed changes to the CRSP Transmission and Ancillary Services Rates are to change the expiration dates to September 30, 2010, in alignment with the SLCA/IP firm power rates. Western will prepare a brochure that provides detailed information on the rates to all interested parties. The proposed rates under Rate Schedules SLIP–F9, SP–PTP7, SP–NW3, SP–NFT6, SP–CF1, SP–SD3, SP–RS3, SP–EI3, SP– FR3, and SP–SSR3 are scheduled to go into effect on October 1, 2008. Publication of this Federal Register notice begins the formal process for the proposed rates. DATES: The consultation and comment period begins today and will end April 3, 2008. Western will present a detailed explanation of the proposed rates at a public information forum to be held on February 5, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. Western will accept oral and written comments at a public comment forum to be held on March 4, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. Western will accept written comments any time during the consultation and comment period. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Mr. Bradley S. Warren, CRSP Manager, PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Colorado River Storage Project Management Center, Western Area Power Administration, 150 East Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111–1580, (801) 524–5493, e-mail CRSPMCadj@wapa.gov. Western will post information about the rate process on its Web site under the ‘‘FY 2009 SLCA/IP Rate Adjustment’’ section located at: https://www.wapa.gov/CRSP/ ratescrsp/default.htm. Western will post official comments received by letter and e-mail to its Web site after the close of the comment period. Western must receive written comments by the end of the consultation and comment period to ensure consideration in Western’s decision process. The public information forum and public comment forum will be held at the Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Airport, 2177 West North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84116–3196. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Carol A. Loftin, Rates Manager, Colorado River Storage Project Management Center, Western Area Power Administration, 150 East Social Hall Avenue, Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111–1580, (801) 524–6380, e-mail loftinc@wapa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed rates for SLCA/IP firm power are designed to return an annual amount of revenue to meet the repayment of power investment, payment of interest, purchased power, OM&R expenses, and the repayment of irrigation assistance costs as required by law. The Deputy Secretary of Energy approved Rate Schedule SLIP–F8 for firm power service on August 1, 2005.1 Rate Schedule SLIP–F8 became effective on October 1, 2005, for a 5-year period ending September 30, 2010. Under Rate Schedule SLIP–F8, the energy rate is 10.43 mills per kilowatthour (mills/ kWh), and the capacity rate is $4.43 per kilowattmonth (kWmonth). The composite rate is 25.28 mills/kWh. The Deputy Secretary of Energy also approved a rate extension for the CRSP Transmission and Ancillary Services Rates through September 30, 2010.2 1 Rate Order No. WAPA–117, 70 FR 47823, August 15, 2005. FERC confirmed and approved the rate schedules on June 13, 2006, under FERC Docket No. EF05–5171–000 (115 FERC 62,271). Approved Rate Schedule SLIP–F8 became effective on October 1, 2005, for a 5-year period ending September 30, 2010. 2 Rate Order WAPA–132, 72 FR 37758, July 11, 2007. Extended Rate Schedules SP–PTP6, SP–NW2, SP–NFT5, SP–SD2, SP–RS2, SP–E12, SP–FR2, and SP–SSR1 for transmission and ancillary services were previously submitted as Rate Order No. WAPA–99, 67 FR 60656 (September 26, 2002), and approved by FERC on November 14, 2003 (105 FERC 62,093). E:\FR\FM\04JAN1.SGM 04JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 857-858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-6286]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Renewal of 
the Special Use Permit (SUP) for Military Activities on the De Soto 
National Forest and Implementation of Installation Mission Support 
Activities at Camp Shelby, MS

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: This FEIS has been prepared by the NGB and the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture--Forest Service (USDA-FS). NGB is the lead agency and 
the USDA-FS is serving as a cooperating agency in the development of 
this FEIS for the renewal of the current SUP that authorizes military 
training activities at Camp shelby Training Site.

DATES: The waiting period for the FEIS will end 30 days after 
publication of an NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or questions regarding the FEIS may be 
forwarded to Mr. Tim Powell, Public Affairs Officer, Joint Forces 
Headquarters, Mississippi National Guard, P.O. Box 5027, Jackson, 
Mississippi, 39296-5027.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tim Powell, Public Affairs 
Officer, at (601) 313-6349. The alternate point of contact for this 
action is Major Robert A. Lemire, Mississippi Army National Guard, 
Director Environmental Programs at (601) 313-6228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This FEIS discusses in-depth two 
alternatives: the Preferred Alternative and the No-Action Alternative. 
Under the Preferred Alternative, the Mississippi National Guard (MSNG) 
proposes the renewal of the USDA-FS SUP for a 20-year timeframe and 
authorizes current activities and mission requirements to continue on 
State of Mississippi, DoD, and National Forest lands. This alternative 
will help meet the Army requirements associated with the Proposed 
Action by constructing various new ranges and facilities at Camp Shelby 
and allowing for the continuation of necessary maintenance, repair, and 
rehabilitation of the infrastructure at Camp Shelby. The No Action 
Alternative would authorize the renewal of the SUP for a 10-year 
timeframe (same as previous SUP) and military activities would continue 
as currently permitted. this alternative would not authorize the 
proposed construction of new ranges and facilities and improvements and 
improved management practices. Other alternatives considered but 
eliminated from detailed study are also addressed in the FEIS. the 
potential for significant impacts exists for both alternatives; however 
with the implementation of the ongoing and proposed mitigation and 
monitoring measures, the unavoidable adverse impacts can be mitigated 
to an acceptable level. Under the preferred alternative, current 
activities and mission requirements will continue on State of 
Mississippi, DoD, and National Forest lands. This alternative includes 
implementation of the projects and programs discussed in this FEIS, in 
addition to the continuation of necessary maintenance, repair, and 
rehabilitation of the military training infrastructure at Camp Shelby. 
Environmental consequences for the proposed actions; e.g. renewal of 
the SUP, and construction, operation, and maintenance of several new 
projects at Camp Shelby have been analyzed. The new project proposals 
have the potential for the following adverse impacts:
    (1) Direct and/or indirect effects on habitat for other proposed, 
endangered, threatened, and sensitive species such as Louisiana 
quillwort (federal endangered species), black pine snake (federal 
candidate species), and other state and USDA-FS sensitive plant 
species. There would be direct positive effects on the red-cockaded 
woodpecker when colonies are relocated into the proposed Habitat 
Management Area at sometime in the future.
    (3) Direct and/or indirect effects on approximately 275 acres of 
wetlands

[[Page 858]]

(requiring fill of an estimated 20 acres of wetlands).
    Direct effects by removal of approximately 120 acres for pine and 
hardwood forested areas.
    (5) Direct effects by movement of approximately 250,000 cubic yards 
of earth and resulting direct and/or indirect effects from erosion and 
sedimentation.
    The proposed Combined Arms ARea (CAA) reconfiguration in this FEIS 
would result in a 4,300 acre reduction in the amount of unavoidable 
impacts associated with forest clearing/thinning from the scope of the 
CAA last addressed and approved for construction in the 1994 SUP EIS. 
Also associated with the CAA is the proposed Combined Arms Collective 
Training Facility (CACTF), which would be co-located within the CAA 
maneuver areas to be cleared and/or thinned and would not require any 
further significant timber removal. This reduction of approximately 
4,300 acres of impacts is an improvement from an environmental 
standpoint over the original plan and it still meets military training 
requirements.
    The No Action alternative has two subsets, one related to the SUP 
and the other to actions associated with mission support (construction 
in the cantonment area and the range and training area). In regards to 
the SUP, this is defined as renewal of a 10-year SUP for ``continuation 
of military activities as presently permitted.'' This alternative does 
not allow for improved and future mission requirements, future military 
construction funding, improved management practices, and a 20-year SUP 
permit.
    A copy of the FEIS can be found at the following Web site: https://
www.ngms.state.ms.us/env/Natural%20Resources/nat_resources_06.htm.
    Following the 30-day waiting period, a Record of Decision will be 
signed.

    Dated: November 13, 2007.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 07-6286 Filed 01-03-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
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