Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCOE) Actions at Fort Benning, GA, 31715-31716 [E9-15601]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 126 / Thursday, July 2, 2009 / Notices
Development Act of 1988, Public Law 100–
676, section 52(d), 102 Stat. 4012, 4045.
Terrence C. ‘‘Rock’’ Salt,
Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil
Works).
[FR Doc. E9–15663 Filed 7–1–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–92–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Notice of Availability of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement
(FEIS) for the Maneuver Center of
Excellence (MCOE) Actions at Fort
Benning, GA
Department of the Army, DoD.
Notice of Availability (NOA).
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Department of the Army
announces the availability of the MCOE
FEIS, which evaluates the potential
environmental and socioeconomic
impacts associated with the MCOE
activities at Fort Benning. The FEIS
covers the construction, operation,
facilities maintenance, personnel
increases, and training activities
associated with the proposed MCOE
actions, as well as increased training
throughput due to Grow the Army
missions at Fort Benning.
DATES: The waiting period for the MCOE
FEIS will end 30 days after publication
of a notice of availability in the Federal
Register by the Environmental
Protection Agency.
ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the
EElS, contact Mr. John Brent, Fort
Benning Directorate of Public Works,
Environmental Management Division,
6650 Meloy Hall, Building 6, Room 308,
Fort Benning, GA 31905 or e-mail at:
john.brent@us.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Bridgett Siter at (706) 545–6169 or Mr.
Anthony O’Bryant at (706) 545–4591 in
the Fort Benning Public Affairs Office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
MCOE FEIS covers the construction,
operation, facilities maintenance,
personnel increases, and training
activities associated with the proposed
MCOE actions at Fort Benning. The
Proposed Action includes construction,
operation, and maintenance of facilities
and training areas in support of the
Armor School and Infantry training
mission.
In 2007, the Army completed its 2005
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)/
Transformation Actions FEIS and
subsequent Record of Decision (ROD)
for Fort Benning. Since the
announcement of the BRAC/
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:35 Jul 01, 2009
Jkt 217001
Transformation ElS ROD in 2007, some
projects that were reasonably
foreseeable in Fiscal Year (FY) 14 have
now been funded, programmed and
planned, and new projects have been
identified. In addition, some of the
projects, originally identified for
implementation in the FY08 to FY13
timeframe, have changed in location,
size, and timing and these changes are
substantial enough to require a reevaluation. The MCOE FEIS analyzes
these changes.
The MCOE FEIS also evaluates new
facilities and training areas to support
the increased training requirements of
military personnel and students
associated with Grow the Army
missions at Fort Benning. The
permanent increase in the Army end
strength, which is being implemented in
accordance with Congressional
authorizations, will allow the Army to
realign its force structure to a force that
is capable of meeting national security
and defense objectives. This action
would bring the Fort Benning
population (excluding dependents) to a
total of 35,837 military, civilian, and
contractor personnel, as well as 16,624
military students (daily average).
Alternatives analyzed in the MCOE
FEIS are: (I) Alternative A (the Army’s
Preferred Alternative) which consists of
43 projects and entails cantonment area
impacts, and maneuver and range
development impacts to 10,045 acres
total; (2) Alternative B which consists of
48 projects in the cantonment,
maneuver and range areas, and impacts
24,596 acres total; and (3) the No Action
Alternative under which FY09 through
FY13 BRAC/Transformation projects
identified in the BRAC/Transformation
EIS are evaluated. Because the BRAC/
Transformation actions have been
approved for implementation, regardless
of the decision taken under the MCOE
proposed action, they are included in
the No Action Alternative.
The FEIS analyses indicate that the
implementation of the proposed action
would have significant impacts on
cultural resources, soils, water
resources, special status species
(particularly the Red-cockaded
Woodpecker (RCW), relict trillium, and
gopher tortoise), and Unique Ecological
Areas (UEA). The action could
potentially cause compatibility issues
for lands adjacent to the ranges due to
noise. Aesthetic and visual resources
would be affected, but insignificantly. In
terms of socioeconomics, development
would take place and population
increases would result in economic
gains under both action alternatives, but
there could be negative impacts if the
local market cannot support this
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
31715
increase. On-post traffic congestion and
Main Gate build-up during peak hours
are anticipated, but these impacts would
be minimized once road expansions and
new access points are completed. There
would be short-term construction
emissions increases, but they would not
significantly affect regional air quality
in the long term. Noise contours
associated with training would grow
both on- and off-post, increasing the
potential for annoyance and complaints
in adjacent communities. Utilities,
safety, and hazardous and toxic
materials and waste would not be
significantly impacted. Through formal
consultation with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, minimization
measures, including a Reasonable and
Prudent Alternative (RPA), were
developed to minimize the impacts to
RCW expressed in a Jeopardy Biological
Opinion. The RPA also includes a
requirement that field training
associated with the Scout Leaders
Course (Army Reconnaissance Course)
and MCOE heavy mechanized training
courses be moved from the Southern
Maneuver Training Area to an off-post
site yet to be determined. This
relocation would take place 5 years from
the start of the Scout Leaders Course
and would be the subject of further
NEPA analysis.
All the alternatives would have
significant, adverse noise impacts due to
expansion of noise levels greater than 75
dBA (Zone Ill) into approximately 96
family housing buildings adjacent to
Dixie Road. The family housing on post
has been privatized via the Residential
Communities Initiative (RCI). Fort
Benning is working with the RCI
program representatives to determine
the most feasible mitigation options to
attenuate noise, which will be analyzed
in a separate NEPA document when
more information and options are
identified.
For all alternatives, significant
adverse impacts to land use, biological
resources, water resources, and soils
would be reduced with the
implementation of proposed mitigation
measures. Significant adverse impacts to
special status species (RCW), vegetation,
and UEA would be reduced through the
implementation of the proposed
mitigation measures and the RPA, but
residual impacts would still be
potentially significant as a result of the
magnitude of the impacts, loss of
habitat, and operation and maintenance
activities.
An electronic version of the FEIS can
be viewed or downloaded from the
following Web site: https://
www.hqda.army.mil/acsim/brac/
nepa_eis_docs.htm.
E:\FR\FM\02JYN1.SGM
02JYN1
31716
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 126 / Thursday, July 2, 2009 / Notices
Dated: June 25, 2009.
Addison D. Davis, IV.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army
(Environment, Safety and Occupational
Health).
[FR Doc. E9–15601 Filed 7–1–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–08–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Air Force
U.S. Air Force Academy Board of
Visitors Notice of Meeting
AGENCY: U.S. Air Force Academy Board
of Visitors.
ACTION: Meeting notice.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 9355,
the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA)
Board of Visitors (BoV) will meet in
Harmon Hall, 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite
3300 at the United States Air Force
Academy in Colorado Springs, CO on
24–25 July 2009. The meeting session
will begin at 9 a.m. on 24 July. The
purpose of this meeting is to review
morale and discipline, social climate,
curriculum, instruction, physical
equipment, fiscal affairs, academic
methods, and other matters relating to
the Academy.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as
amended, and 41 CFR 102–3.155, the
Administrative Assistant to the
Secretary of the Air Force has
determined that portions of this meeting
shall be closed to the public. The
Administrative Assistant to the
Secretary of the Air Force, in
consultation with the Office of the Air
Force General Counsel, has determined
in writing that the public interest
requires that two portions of this
meeting be closed to the public because
they will involve matters covered by
subsection (c)(6) of 5 U.S.C. 552b.
Public attendance at the open
portions of this USAFA BoV meeting
shall be accommodated on a first-come,
first-served basis up to the reasonable
and safe capacity of the meeting room.
In addition, any member of the public
wishing to provide input to the USAFA
BoV should submit a written statement
in accordance with 41 CFR 102–3.140(c)
and section 10(a)(3) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and
the procedures described in this
paragraph. Written statements must
address the following details: The issue,
discussion, and a recommended course
of action. Supporting documentation
may also be included as needed to
establish the appropriate historical
context and provide any necessary
background information. Written
statements can be submitted to the
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:35 Jul 01, 2009
Jkt 217001
Designated Federal Officer (DFO) at the
Air Force Pentagon address detailed
below at any time. However, if a written
statement is not received at least 10
days before the first day of the meeting
which is the subject of this notice, then
it may not be provided to, or considered
by, the BoV until its next open meeting.
The DFO will review all timely
submissions with the BoV Chairperson
and ensure they are provided to
members of the BoV before the meeting
that is the subject of this notice. For the
benefit of the public, rosters that list the
names of BoV members and any
releasable materials presented during
open portions of this BoV meeting shall
be made available upon request.
If, after review of timely submitted
written comments, the BoV Chairperson
and DFO deem appropriate, they may
choose to invite the submitter of the
written comments to orally present their
issue during an open portion of the BoV
meeting that is the subject of this notice.
Members of the BoV may also petition
the Chairperson to allow specific
persons to make oral presentations
before the BoV. Any oral presentations
before the BoV shall be in accordance
with 41 CFR 102–3.140(d), section
10(a)(3) of the FACA, and this
paragraph. The DFO and BoV
Chairperson may, if desired, allot a
specific amount of time for members of
the public to present their issues for
BoV review and discussion. Direct
questioning of BoV members or meeting
participants by the public is not
permitted except with the approval of
the DFO and Chairperson.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Or
to attend this BoV meeting, contact Mr.
Richard Engle, USAFA Programs
Manager, Directorate of Force
Development, Deputy Chief of Staff,
Manpower and Personnel, AF/A1DOA,
2221 S. Clark St., Ste. 500, Arlington,
VA 22202, (703) 602–5075. If members
of the public would like to attend,
please contact the USAFA Public Affairs
Office, (719) 333–7731 for information
on access to the Academy meeting site.
Bao-Anh Trinh,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E9–15644 Filed 7–1–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–05–P
PO 00000
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Air Force
[Docket ID: USAF–2009–0037]
Privacy Act of 1974; System of
Records
AGENCY:
Department of the Air Force,
DoD.
ACTION: Notice to amend a system of
records.
SUMMARY: The Department of Air Force
proposes to amend a system of records
to its inventory of record systems
subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5
U.S.C. 552a), as amended.
DATES: The changes will be effective on
August 3, 2009 unless comments are
received that would result in a contrary
determination.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to the Air
Force Privacy Act Officer, Office of
Warfighting Integration and Chief
Information Officer, SAF/XCPPI, 1800
Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC
20330–1800.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Ben Swilley at (703) 696–6648.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Department of the Air Force systems of
records notices subject to the Privacy
Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as
amended, have been published in the
Federal Register and are available from
the address above.
The specific changes to the record
system being amended are set forth
below followed by the notice, as
amended, published in its entirety. The
proposed amendments are not within
the purview of subsection (r) of the
Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as
amended, which requires the
submission of a new or altered system
report.
Dated: June 25, 2009.
Morgan E. Frazier,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
F036 AETC G
SYSTEM NAME:
Status of Ineffective Recruiter. (June
11, 1997, 62 FR 31793).
CHANGES:
*
*
*
*
*
SYSTEM LOCATION:
Delete entry and replace with
‘‘Headquarters, Air Force Recruiting
Service, 550 D Street, Suite 1, Randolph
Air Force Base, TX 78150–4527. Air
Force Recruiting activities official
mailing addresses are published as an
Frm 00030
Fmt 4703
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 126 (Thursday, July 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31715-31716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-15601]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact
Statement (FEIS) for the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCOE) Actions
at Fort Benning, GA
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the
MCOE FEIS, which evaluates the potential environmental and
socioeconomic impacts associated with the MCOE activities at Fort
Benning. The FEIS covers the construction, operation, facilities
maintenance, personnel increases, and training activities associated
with the proposed MCOE actions, as well as increased training
throughput due to Grow the Army missions at Fort Benning.
DATES: The waiting period for the MCOE FEIS will end 30 days after
publication of a notice of availability in the Federal Register by the
Environmental Protection Agency.
ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the EElS, contact Mr. John Brent, Fort
Benning Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Management Division,
6650 Meloy Hall, Building 6, Room 308, Fort Benning, GA 31905 or e-mail
at: john.brent@us.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Bridgett Siter at (706) 545-6169
or Mr. Anthony O'Bryant at (706) 545-4591 in the Fort Benning Public
Affairs Office.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MCOE FEIS covers the construction,
operation, facilities maintenance, personnel increases, and training
activities associated with the proposed MCOE actions at Fort Benning.
The Proposed Action includes construction, operation, and maintenance
of facilities and training areas in support of the Armor School and
Infantry training mission.
In 2007, the Army completed its 2005 Base Realignment and Closure
(BRAC)/Transformation Actions FEIS and subsequent Record of Decision
(ROD) for Fort Benning. Since the announcement of the BRAC/
Transformation ElS ROD in 2007, some projects that were reasonably
foreseeable in Fiscal Year (FY) 14 have now been funded, programmed and
planned, and new projects have been identified. In addition, some of
the projects, originally identified for implementation in the FY08 to
FY13 timeframe, have changed in location, size, and timing and these
changes are substantial enough to require a re-evaluation. The MCOE
FEIS analyzes these changes.
The MCOE FEIS also evaluates new facilities and training areas to
support the increased training requirements of military personnel and
students associated with Grow the Army missions at Fort Benning. The
permanent increase in the Army end strength, which is being implemented
in accordance with Congressional authorizations, will allow the Army to
realign its force structure to a force that is capable of meeting
national security and defense objectives. This action would bring the
Fort Benning population (excluding dependents) to a total of 35,837
military, civilian, and contractor personnel, as well as 16,624
military students (daily average).
Alternatives analyzed in the MCOE FEIS are: (I) Alternative A (the
Army's Preferred Alternative) which consists of 43 projects and entails
cantonment area impacts, and maneuver and range development impacts to
10,045 acres total; (2) Alternative B which consists of 48 projects in
the cantonment, maneuver and range areas, and impacts 24,596 acres
total; and (3) the No Action Alternative under which FY09 through FY13
BRAC/Transformation projects identified in the BRAC/Transformation EIS
are evaluated. Because the BRAC/Transformation actions have been
approved for implementation, regardless of the decision taken under the
MCOE proposed action, they are included in the No Action Alternative.
The FEIS analyses indicate that the implementation of the proposed
action would have significant impacts on cultural resources, soils,
water resources, special status species (particularly the Red-cockaded
Woodpecker (RCW), relict trillium, and gopher tortoise), and Unique
Ecological Areas (UEA). The action could potentially cause
compatibility issues for lands adjacent to the ranges due to noise.
Aesthetic and visual resources would be affected, but insignificantly.
In terms of socioeconomics, development would take place and population
increases would result in economic gains under both action
alternatives, but there could be negative impacts if the local market
cannot support this increase. On-post traffic congestion and Main Gate
build-up during peak hours are anticipated, but these impacts would be
minimized once road expansions and new access points are completed.
There would be short-term construction emissions increases, but they
would not significantly affect regional air quality in the long term.
Noise contours associated with training would grow both on- and off-
post, increasing the potential for annoyance and complaints in adjacent
communities. Utilities, safety, and hazardous and toxic materials and
waste would not be significantly impacted. Through formal consultation
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, minimization measures,
including a Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA), were developed to
minimize the impacts to RCW expressed in a Jeopardy Biological Opinion.
The RPA also includes a requirement that field training associated with
the Scout Leaders Course (Army Reconnaissance Course) and MCOE heavy
mechanized training courses be moved from the Southern Maneuver
Training Area to an off-post site yet to be determined. This relocation
would take place 5 years from the start of the Scout Leaders Course and
would be the subject of further NEPA analysis.
All the alternatives would have significant, adverse noise impacts
due to expansion of noise levels greater than 75 dBA (Zone Ill) into
approximately 96 family housing buildings adjacent to Dixie Road. The
family housing on post has been privatized via the Residential
Communities Initiative (RCI). Fort Benning is working with the RCI
program representatives to determine the most feasible mitigation
options to attenuate noise, which will be analyzed in a separate NEPA
document when more information and options are identified.
For all alternatives, significant adverse impacts to land use,
biological resources, water resources, and soils would be reduced with
the implementation of proposed mitigation measures. Significant adverse
impacts to special status species (RCW), vegetation, and UEA would be
reduced through the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures
and the RPA, but residual impacts would still be potentially
significant as a result of the magnitude of the impacts, loss of
habitat, and operation and maintenance activities.
An electronic version of the FEIS can be viewed or downloaded from
the following Web site: https://www.hqda.army.mil/acsim/brac/nepa_eis_docs.htm.
[[Page 31716]]
Dated: June 25, 2009.
Addison D. Davis, IV.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E9-15601 Filed 7-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
