Record of Decision for the Construction and Operation of an Infantry Platoon Battle Course at Pōhakuloa Training Area, Hawai`i, 50050-50051 [2013-19815]

Download as PDF 50050 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 159 / Friday, August 16, 2013 / Notices analyzes and evaluates potential environmental impacts associated with short-term and long-term proposed construction projects and proposed changes to YPG’s testing and training mission. YPG consists of approximately 840,000 acres of DoD-managed land in the Sonoran Desert in southwestern Arizona. 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 questions concerning the DPEIS, please contact Mr. Sergio Obregon, U.S. Army Garrison Yuma Proving Ground, National Environmental Policy Act Coordinator, IMYM–PWE, Yuma, AZ 85365–9498. Written comments may be mailed to that address or emailed to ypgnepa@conus.army.mil. DATES: Mr. Chuck Wullenjohn, Yuma Proving Ground Public Affairs Office, at (928) 328–6189 Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mountain Standard Time. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of the Army prepared a DPEIS to analyze potential impacts from new construction, changes in testing and training, and activities conducted under private industry partnerships. Potential renewable energy initiatives are also discussed in the DPEIS, but project-specific National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis separate from the DPEIS will be required prior to implementing any specific renewable energy initiatives. There are two alternatives analyzed in this DPEIS: (1) No Action which describes the conditions under which no new actions would occur. There would be no changes in testing and training activities conducted at YPG, and (2) the Proposed Action which includes new construction and associated demolition, testing and training activities occurring on YPG, and new testing and training proposed by tenants to meet anticipated testing or training needs. The programmatic components of the DPEIS consist of a detailed analysis of well defined shortterm projects and long-term projects with unspecified locations. These are analyzed to identify the maximum potential impact on a broad scale. These activities would be subjected to sitespecific NEPA analysis prior to implementation and could include analysis of other reasonable alternatives to the identified action. Six other alternatives were considered but eliminated from further analysis. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:06 Aug 15, 2013 Jkt 229001 The PEIS will be used to develop a future Real Property Master Plan (RPMP) at YPG. This analysis will support the future planning to ensure that YPG considers environmental impacts as it seeks to improve facilities and capabilities for the future. The analysis in the PEIS will also support the alternatives analysis for the RPMP. The DPEIS will also address cumulative impacts for existing, proposed, and reasonably foreseeable projects. For the Proposed Action, the analysis is structured to allow the Army to select a subset of the proposed activities or, for certain activities, to select from among a range of options with regard to magnitude, frequency, or duration. The Army is not seeking to expand the boundaries of YPG and all proposed activities would be conducted within the boundaries of the installation or its currently authorized airspace. No changes are proposed to ongoing activities conducted at off-post areas in Arizona and California that are used for specific testing activities under conditions not found at YPG. Therefore, activities conducted in these areas are not included in the analysis in the DPEIS. The potential for environmental impacts is greatest for the following resource areas: soils, air quality, solid and hazardous materials/waste, vegetation, and wildlife. Impacts to these resources may occur as a result of converting existing land use to support military testing and training or from increasing the scope or magnitude of testing activities. All governmental agencies, interest groups, and individuals are invited to participate in public meetings and/or submit comments in writing. Information on the time and location of two public meetings will be published locally. In addition, YPG is engaged in consultation with federally recognized Native American tribes regarding the Proposed Action. YPG will meet the obligation to consult under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act concurrently with this NEPA process through a Programmatic Agreement. At this time, a Preferred Alternative has not been selected. The Army will select a Preferred Alternative after consideration of input from government agencies, Native American tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and members of the public. Copies of the DPEIS are available at the Yuma County Library, Main Branch, 2951 S. 21st Drive and the Yuma Proving Ground Post Library. The DPEIS can also be viewed at the following Web PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 site: https://www.yuma.army.mil/ mhub_documents.shtml. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2013–19827 Filed 8–15–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Record of Decision for the Construction and Operation of an Infantry Platoon Battle Course at ¯ Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawai‘i Department of the Army, DoD. Notice of availability. AGENCY: ACTION: The U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and U.S. Army Garrison, Hawai‘i, (USAG–HI) announce the decision to construct and operate a new Infantry Platoon Battle Course (IPBC) and associated infrastructure at ¯ Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA), Hawai‘i. This decision allows the Army to construct and operate an IPBC that will meet Army training requirements and will support the live-fire collective training needs of the Army, Army Reserve, and Hawai‘i Army National Guard, as well as other Service components that are stationed or train in Hawai‘i. To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Army prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that evaluated the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects associated with alternatives to construct and operate the IPBC. In the Final EIS published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2013 (78 FR 24734), the Army identified the Western Range Alternative as the preferred alternative. The Army has selected the preferred alternative in the Record of Decision (ROD). The Western Range Area Alternative is located in an underutilized portion of the PTA impact area where no ranges currently exist. The location has been exposed to indirect munitions fire and constructing the IPBC here will reclaim a portion of the impact area. A copy of the ROD can be found at www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/ pta_peis/default.htm. ADDRESSES: Email requests to obtain a copy of the ROD can be addressed to USARMY.JBSA.AEC.MBX@mail.mil. SUMMARY: US Army Environmental Command Public Affairs Office, at 1–855–846–3940 (toll free). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM 16AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 159 / Friday, August 16, 2013 / Notices The IPBC will be used to train and test infantry platoons and other units on the skills necessary to conduct collective (group) tactical movement techniques, and to detect, identify, engage, and defeat stationary and moving infantry and armor targets in a tactical array. Soldiers will engage targets with small arms, machine guns, and other weapon systems as part of live-fire exercises. This includes air-ground integration where Soldiers maneuvering on the IPBC can coordinate air support. In addition to live-fire, the range would also be used for training with subcaliber and/or laser training devices. This type of training is mission essential for Soldiers to be prepared to encounter threats during combat operations overseas. The Army identified and analyzed environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with the proposed IPBC in the Final EIS. The major potential environmental impacts are to air quality, threatened and endangered species, cultural sites, encountering munitions and explosives of concern, and igniting wildfires. Significant impacts could occur to cultural resources. Prior to making its decision, the Army considered comments received during the EIS scoping and comment process, and the 30-day waiting period after the Final EIS. The Army’s Record of Decision includes the final measures the Army will adopt to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to identified cultural resources. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2013–19815 Filed 8–15–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Defense Acquisition Regulations System [Docket No. DARS–2013–0010] Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES ACTION: Notice. The Defense Acquisition Regulations System has submitted to OMB for clearance, the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received by September 16, 2013. Title, Associated Forms and OMB Number: Defense Federal Acquisition VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:06 Aug 15, 2013 Jkt 229001 Regulation Supplement (DFARS) ´ ´ Appendix I, DoD Pilot Mentor-Protege Program; OMB Control Number 0704– 0322. Type of Request: Extension. Number of Respondents: 115. Responses Per Respondent: Approximately 1.96. Annual Responses: 225. Average Burden Per Response: Approximately 1 hour. Annual Burden Hours: 225. Needs and Uses: DoD needs this information to evaluate whether the purposes of the DoD Pilot Mentor´ ´ Protege Program have been met. The purposes of the Program are to (1) provide incentives to major DoD ´ ´ contractors to assist protege firms in enhancing their capabilities to satisfy contract and subcontract requirements; (2) increase the overall participation of ´ ´ protege firms as subcontractors and suppliers; and (3) foster the establishment of long-term business ´ ´ relationships between protege firms and major DoD contractors. This Program implements Section 831 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (Pub. L. 101–510) and Section 811 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 (Pub. L. 106–65) (10 U.S.C. 2302 note). Participation in the Program is voluntary. Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit and not-for- profit institutions. Frequency: Semiannually (mentor); ´ ´ Annually (protege). Respondent’s Obligation: Required to obtain or maintain benefits. OMB Desk Officer: Ms. Jasmeet Seehra. Written comments and recommendations on the proposed information collection should be sent to Ms. Seehra at the Office of Management and Budget, Desk Officer for DoD, Room 10236, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503. You may also submit comments, identified by docket number and title, by the following method: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name, docket number, and title for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other public submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information provided. To confirm receipt of your comment(s), please PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 50051 check https://www.regulations.gov approximately two to three days after submission to verify posting (except allow 30 days for posting of comments submitted by mail). DoD Clearance Officer: Ms. Patricia Toppings. Written requests for copies of the information collection proposal should be sent to Ms. Toppings at WHS/ESD/ Information Management Division, 4800 Mark Center Drive, 2nd Floor, East Tower, Suite 02G09, Alexandria, VA 22350–3100. Manuel Quinones, Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System. [FR Doc. 2013–19968 Filed 8–15–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Tarmac King Road Limestone Mine Proposed in Levy County, Florida AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of availability. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) has been completed and is available for review and comment. DATES: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we have filed the Final EIS with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for publication of their notice of availability in the Federal Register. The EPA notice on August 16, 2013 officially starts the 30-day review period for this document. Comments on the Final EIS must be submitted to the address below under Further Contact Information and must be received no later than 5 p.m. Central Standard Time, September 15, 2013. Scoping: Scoping Meetings were held in Inglis, FL and Chiefland, FL on March 26th and 27th, 2008 respectively, to gather information for the preparation of the EIS. Public notices were posted in Levy, Citrus, Alachua and Pinellas County newspapers, and emailed and air-mailed to current stakeholder lists with notification of the public meetings and requesting input and comments on issues that should be addressed in the EIS. A public meeting for the Draft EIS was held on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM 16AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50050-50051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19815]


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

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Record of Decision for the Construction and Operation of an 
Infantry Platoon Battle Course at P[omacr]hakuloa Training Area, 
Hawai`i

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and U.S. Army Garrison, 
Hawai`i, (USAG-HI) announce the decision to construct and operate a new 
Infantry Platoon Battle Course (IPBC) and associated infrastructure at 
P[omacr]hakuloa Training Area (PTA), Hawai`i. This decision allows the 
Army to construct and operate an IPBC that will meet Army training 
requirements and will support the live-fire collective training needs 
of the Army, Army Reserve, and Hawai`i Army National Guard, as well as 
other Service components that are stationed or train in Hawai`i.
    To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
Department of the Army prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
that evaluated the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects 
associated with alternatives to construct and operate the IPBC. In the 
Final EIS published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2013 (78 FR 
24734), the Army identified the Western Range Alternative as the 
preferred alternative. The Army has selected the preferred alternative 
in the Record of Decision (ROD). The Western Range Area Alternative is 
located in an under-utilized portion of the PTA impact area where no 
ranges currently exist. The location has been exposed to indirect 
munitions fire and constructing the IPBC here will reclaim a portion of 
the impact area. A copy of the ROD can be found at 
www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/pta_peis/default.htm.

ADDRESSES: Email requests to obtain a copy of the ROD can be addressed 
to USARMY.JBSA.AEC.MBX@mail.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: US Army Environmental Command Public 
Affairs Office, at 1-855-846-3940 (toll free).

[[Page 50051]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IPBC will be used to train and test 
infantry platoons and other units on the skills necessary to conduct 
collective (group) tactical movement techniques, and to detect, 
identify, engage, and defeat stationary and moving infantry and armor 
targets in a tactical array. Soldiers will engage targets with small 
arms, machine guns, and other weapon systems as part of live-fire 
exercises. This includes air-ground integration where Soldiers 
maneuvering on the IPBC can coordinate air support. In addition to 
live-fire, the range would also be used for training with sub-caliber 
and/or laser training devices. This type of training is mission 
essential for Soldiers to be prepared to encounter threats during 
combat operations overseas.
    The Army identified and analyzed environmental and socioeconomic 
impacts associated with the proposed IPBC in the Final EIS. The major 
potential environmental impacts are to air quality, threatened and 
endangered species, cultural sites, encountering munitions and 
explosives of concern, and igniting wildfires. Significant impacts 
could occur to cultural resources. Prior to making its decision, the 
Army considered comments received during the EIS scoping and comment 
process, and the 30-day waiting period after the Final EIS. The Army's 
Record of Decision includes the final measures the Army will adopt to 
avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to identified cultural resources.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-19815 Filed 8-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.