Preparation of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Growth, Realignment, and Stationing of Army Aviation Assets, 55312 [2010-22658]

Agencies

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

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 55312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22658]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Preparation of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement 
(PEIS) for the Growth, Realignment, and Stationing of Army Aviation 
Assets

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Army announces its intent to prepare a PEIS for the 
proposed growth, realignment, and stationing of new and existing Army 
aviation assets. The proposed action includes the consolidation and 
reorganization of existing aviation units, and the establishment of one 
or more Combat Aviation Brigades (CABs). The proposed action will 
increase the availability of rotary wing assets to meet current and 
future national security requirements and will allow the Army better to 
organize existing aviation assets to promote more effective training 
and force management. The PEIS will evaluate the environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed action, which includes the construction 
and renovation of garrison facilities and additional training needed to 
support the establishment and realignment of aviation units.
    The Army is considering the following alternatives in the PEIS: (1) 
Realign and consolidate existing aviation elements of up to a full CAB 
at Fort Carson (CO) or Joint Base Lewis-McChord (WA); (2) implement 
those actions discussed in Alternative 1; in addition, establish a new 
CAB and station it at Fort Carson or Joint Base Lewis-McChord; and, (3) 
No-Action Alternative that would retain the Army aviation force 
structure at its current levels, configurations, and locations. No more 
than one additional CAB would be assigned to either of the stationing 
locations being considered. As part of Alternatives 1 and 2, aviation 
units would conduct training on existing training land at either the 
Yakima Training Center (YTC) (WA) or the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site 
(PCMS) (CO) in order to maintain training proficiency and support 
integrated training with ground units. Land acquisition is not being 
considered as part of this action.
    Fort Carson and Joint Base Lewis-McChord are the only stationing 
alternatives that meet all of the Army's stationing requirements for 
new CAB stationing. These locations provide an existing runway and 
airfield, provide adequate maneuver and airspace for CAB operations, 
and are equipped with existing training ranges that can support CAB 
training. Each location is currently the home station of three or more 
ground maneuver Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs), which allows the Army to 
maximize integrated air/ground training. Joint Base Lewis-McChord and 
Fort Carson are the only major installations that have three or more 
BCTs but no CAB dedicated to provide aviation support for training. 
Additionally, Joint Base Lewis-McChord has many of the existing 
garrison facilities to accommodate CAB units while Fort Carson has 
space available to construct additional CAB facilities.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be sent to: Public Affairs Office, U.S. 
Army Environmental Command, Attention: IMPA-AE, 5179 Hoadley Road, 
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5401; fax (410) 436-1693; or e-mail 
at APGR-USAECNEPA@conus.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Public Affairs Office at (410) 436-
2556.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A CAB consists of approximately 120 
helicopters, 600 wheeled vehicles, and 2,700 Soldiers. The CAB is 
organized into five battalions and a headquarters unit. CAB units 
include combat, reconnaissance, and logistics support aircraft.
    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. et 
seq.) and Federal Regulations (40 CFR part 1500 et seq. and 32 CFR part 
651) require the Army to consider the environmental impact of its 
actions and alternatives and to solicit the views of the public in 
order to make a final decision on how to proceed.
    The PEIS will assess, consider, and compare the direct, indirect, 
and cumulative environmental effects of proposed CAB growth and 
realignment for each alternative. The primary environmental issues to 
be analyzed include (but are not limited to) impacts to air quality, 
soil, airspace, cultural resources, natural resources, noise. In 
addition, the Army will consider those issues identified by the public 
and other organizations as part of the process.
    Predicted environmental impacts associated with the implementation 
of the proposed action at Fort Carson and Joint Base Lewis-McChord will 
be analyzed to include increases in aviation activity, potential for 
wildlife disturbance, as well as additional impacts to soils, 
biological resources, surface water, and vegetation. Additional vehicle 
traffic and growth in school population associated with an increase in 
Soldier populations will also be analyzed. At YTC, there is increased 
potential for vegetation and habitat degradation associated with 
aviation training. At PCMS, cumulative impacts to soils are predicted 
to be manageable with current dust control mitigation techniques.
    Members of the public, including native communities and federally 
recognized Native American Tribes, and federal, state, and local 
agencies are invited to submit written comments on environmental 
issues, concerns and opportunities to be analyzed in the PEIS. Written 
comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the 
Notice of Intent in the Federal Register.

    Dated: September 2, 2010.
Hershell E. Wolfe,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 2010-22658 Filed 9-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P