Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Development and Implementation of Range-Wide Mission and Major Capabilities at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico, 21665 [E9-10603]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 88 (Friday, May 8, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 21665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-10603]



[[Page 21665]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for Development and Implementation of Range-Wide 
Mission and Major Capabilities at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New 
Mexico

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA).

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of a 
DEIS that assesses environmental impacts associated with new mission 
requirements and new test and training capabilities at WSMR. It 
analyzes the impacts of land use changes that provide for increased 
research, development, and testing activities. The impacts of expanded 
off-road maneuver and facilities needed to support increased Future 
Combat Systems testing and the stationing and training of a Heavy 
Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) of approximately 3,800 Soldiers is also 
analyzed.

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

ADDRESSES: For specific questions regarding the DEIS, please contact 
the White Sands Test Center; Operations Office, Attention: Catherine 
Giblin, 124 Crozier Street, Building 124, Room B-15, White Sands 
Missile Range, NM 88002. Written comments may be mailed to the above 
address, faxed to (575) 678-4082, or e-mailed to: 
wsmreis@conus.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monte Marlin, Public Affairs Office, 
Building 1782, Headquarters Avenue, White Sands Missile Range, NM 
88002; (575) 678-1134; or e-mail monte.marlin@us.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action would result in a 
flexible, capabilities-based land use and airspace plan able to 
accommodate rapidly evolving customer needs, support current and future 
mission activities, and support a full range of test and training 
efforts from individual components up through major joint and 
multinational programs. The DEIS assesses the environmental impacts 
associated with the testing, training, and stationing activities under 
the proposed plan. Testing typically involves activities such as 
missile flight tests, aerial intercepts, air-delivered munitions tests 
against ground targets, directed energy and various weapon systems 
tests. Training involves military personnel using the land for maneuver 
as well as for field evaluation of weapons, equipment, communication 
systems, or other objectives. Testing, training and stationing require 
additional infrastructure such as barracks, motor pools, and 
administrative buildings. Implementation of the Proposed Action is 
anticipated in 2009 and would begin following the completion of a Final 
EIS and signing of a Record of Decision (ROD).
    The stationing of an HBCT at WSMR and other force structure 
realignment actions across the Army were analyzed in the 2007 Final 
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Army Growth and Force 
Structure Realignment. The ROD determined that WSMR would receive an 
HBCT in 2013. The development and implementation of a land use plan and 
airspace is intended to more fully realize and integrate the 
capabilities of the WSMR primary mission (research, development, 
testing, and evaluation (RDTE)) with new training capabilities and Army 
stationing decisions. Establishing new test and training capabilities 
requires changing land use designations within the current installation 
boundaries. These changes would support current and future requirements 
and allow off-road vehicle maneuver on designated portions of the 
installation. WSMR will maintain its current RDTE mission and continue 
to support testing objectives of all military services and federal 
agencies.
    The DEIS evaluates and discloses the environmental effects 
associated with two alternatives and a no action alternative on the 
natural, cultural, and man made environments at WSMR and in the 
southern New Mexico region. The no action alternative includes current 
test capabilities and land use designations with current levels of 
operations and activities. It also provides the baseline conditions for 
comparison to the other alternatives. Alternative 1 changes land use to 
expand testing and maneuver capabilities to include Future Combat 
Systems or similar programs. It supports the Grow the Army decision to 
station an HBCT at WSMR by expanding the cantonment area and adding 
additional supporting infrastructure. Alternative 2 includes those 
activities described in Alternative 1 and adds additional off-road 
maneuver areas for testing and training on WSMR.
    The Army invites full public participation to promote open 
communication and better decision making, including comment on the DEIS 
and participation in public meetings, which will be announced in 
advance in local news media. The DEIS is available at local libraries 
surrounding WSMR and may also be accessed at https://www.wsmr.army.mil. 
A Preferred Alternative has not been selected at this time. Comments 
from the public will be considered before any decision is made 
regarding the Preferred Alternative or implementation of the Proposed 
Action.

    Dated: April 27, 2009.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E9-10603 Filed 5-7-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M