Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact, 36297-36298 [2014-14733]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 123 / Thursday, June 26, 2014 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact Department of the Army, DoD. Notice of Availability. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of the Army has completed a Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA) for Army force structure realignment and is making a draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) available for public comment. The draft FNSI incorporates the SPEA, which does not identify any significant environmental impacts from the proposed action, with the exception of socioeconomic impacts at most installations. The draft FNSI concludes that preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required. Current budgetary projections require the Army to analyze the reduction of active component end strength below the 490,000 Soldier reduction analyzed in the January 2013 Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment (PEA) as the further reductions exceed the scope of the 2013 PEA analysis. The SPEA builds on the foundation of the 2013 PEA and assesses the impacts of a potential reduction of an additional 70,000 Soldiers and associated reductions in Army civilians, down to an Active Component end-strength of 420,000 Soldiers. These reductions are necessary to achieve the savings required by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Nearly all Army installations will be affected in some way by additional reductions. The 2013 PEA evaluated 21 Army and joint base installations. With the deeper reductions now anticipated, the Army must consider nine additional installations that could experience reductions of 1,000 or more Active Component Soldiers and/or Army civilians. The SPEA does not identify any significant environmental impacts anticipated as a result of implementing the proposed action, with the exception of socioeconomic impacts at most installations; consequently, the preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required. DATES: Submit comments on or before August 25, 2014. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: U.S. Army Environmental Command, ATTN: SPEA Public tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:51 Jun 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 Comments, 2450 Connell Road (Building 2264), Joint Base San AntonioFort Sam Houston, TX 78234–7664; email: usarmy.jbsa.aec.nepa@mail.mil. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact the U.S. Army Environmental Command Public Affairs Office, (210) 466–1590 or toll-free 855– 846–3940, or email at usarmy.jbsa.aec.nepa@mail.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2013, the Army announced a reduction of its force from a war time peak of about 570,000 in 2010 to 490,000, as well as a substantial realignment of the remaining force. These changes were required to achieve the savings specified in the Budget Control Act of 2011 and to adjust force structure to meet evolving mission requirements. To analyze their potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts, the Army prepared the 2013 PEA. Since the 2013 PEA was completed, however, Department of Defense mission and fiscal considerations have continued to change, and the future end-strength of the Army must be reduced below the 490,000 covered by the 2013 PEA. The 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) states that the active Army will reduce to a force of 440,000–450,000 Soldiers. The 2014 QDR also states if sequestration-level cuts are imposed in FY 2016 and beyond, Active Component end-strength would be reduced to 420,000. As a result, the Army has prepared a SPEA, building on the information and analysis contained in the 2013 PEA, to assess the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of further reductions and to provide information to decision makers and the public. The installations that could experience reductions of 1,000 or more Active Component Soldiers and/or Army civilians—the appropriate threshold for inclusion of installations at the programmatic level of analysis— and which are specifically analyzed in the SPEA are Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; Fort Belvoir, VA; Fort Benning, GA; Fort Bliss, TX; Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Campbell, KY; Fort Carson, CO; Fort Drum, NY; Fort Gordon, GA; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Huachuca, AZ; Fort Irwin, CA; Fort Jackson, SC; Fort Knox, KY; Fort Leavenworth, KS; Fort Lee, VA; Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Fort Meade, MD; Fort Polk, LA; Fort Riley, KS; Fort Rucker, AL; Fort Sill, OK; Fort Stewart, GA; Fort Wainwright, AK; Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK; Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA; Joint Base LewisMcChord, WA; Joint Base San Antonio—Fort Sam Houston, TX; and, United States Army Garrison Hawaii PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36297 (Fort Shafter and Schofield Barracks), HI. The SPEA provides an assessment of the possible direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the greatest combined Soldier and Army civilian reductions being considered at each installation. In addition to the action alternative, the Army also evaluated a No Action Alternative. The No Action Alternative reflects the FY 2012 force structure and retains the Army at the FY 2012 authorized end-strength of about 562,000 Active Component Soldiers and 320,000 Army civilians. While some reductions have already been decided on since the April 2013 FNSI was signed, based on the 2013 PEA, the No Action Alternative in the SPEA allows for a comparison of baseline conditions with the environmental impacts of the action alternative. Environmental resource areas associated with the implementation of the proposed action, and therefore analyzed in the SPEA, are air quality, airspace, cultural resources, noise, soils, biological resources, wetlands, water resources, facilities, socioeconomics, energy demand and generation, land use, hazardous materials and waste, and traffic and transportation. Although no installations were identified as having potentially significant impacts to environmental resources should the full reductions be implemented, the SPEA concludes that most installations would have significant socioeconomic impacts. As was the case for the 2013 PEA, the reductions assessed in the SPEA are not tied to specific units. Options to achieve this additional force restructure are too numerous for analysis at this time; therefore, analysis of reductions related to specific units or organizations are not within the programmatic scope of the SPEA. During the force structure decision process, the Army will identify those units and organizations to be affected by reductions over the 2015– 2020 timeframe so as to meet the Army’s national security mission and operate within a constrained fiscal environment. The SPEA and draft FNSI may be accessed at: https://aec.army.mil/ Services/Support/NEPA/ Documents.aspx. Also, in approximately one week after publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register by the Department of the Army, copies of the SPEA and draft FNSI will be available in various public libraries near the affected installations. Although the Army’s NEPA regulations generally only require a 30-day public comment E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM 26JNN1 36298 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 123 / Thursday, June 26, 2014 / Notices period, this public comment period will be 60 days. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–14733 Filed 6–25–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy [Docket ID USN–2013–0019] Proposed Collection; Comment Request Department of the Navy, DoD. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research (ONR), announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received by August 25, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number and title, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Federal Docket Management System Office, 4800 Mark Center Drive, East Tower, Suite 02G09, Alexandria, VA 22350–3100. 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 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this proposed information collection or to tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:51 Jun 25, 2014 Jkt 232001 obtain a copy of the proposal and associated collection instruments, please write to the Office of Naval Research (ONR), ATTN: Will Brown, Talent Manager, 875 North Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22203; or will.brown@navy.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Office of Naval Research (ONR) As One Survey; OMB Control Number, 0703–TBD. Needs and Uses: The Chief of Naval Research requires a method to better understand how the total ONR workforce is aligned and executes the Command’s mission and strategic initiatives. A survey will allow ONR to collect data around the workforce’s affinity within organizational groups, commitment to strategic initiatives, and understanding of how they work together to achieve ONR’s mission. Non-government personnel (Contractors and Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPAs) staff) comprise approximately half of ONR’s total workforce population. As such, surveying these non-government personnel is required to capture a holistic view of the total ONR workforce and provide leaders with information to make informed workforce decisions. These ‘‘contingent’’ workforce members perform a wide-range of functions and are uniquely qualified individuals brought in to support science and technology management. These individuals move across the organization adapting quickly to new issues and projects. They must understand customers and the interworking of ONR. They represent the core of the cross-functional matrix team concept and act as facilitators and nodes among specialist and government professionals. The combination of these contingent workers and government personnel comprise the ONR workforce of the future. Truly understanding the concerns and motivation of this segment of the workforce will facilitate increased creativity and discretionary effort across the enterprise. The information collected in the survey will be used by ONR executives to measure performance of the organization, proactively inform workforce engagement strategies for greater resonance and impact, and prepare for and implement organizational changes in the near- and long-term. Affected Public: Individuals and Households: Non-government employees at ONR. Annual Burden Hours: 139. Number of Respondents: 555. PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Responses per Respondent: 1. Average Burden per Response: 15 minutes. Frequency: One Time. ONR continues to experience significant organizational and operational changes. In order to successfully and efficiently implement these changes, the Chief of Naval Research must understand information related to the following: (1) The degree of organizational coherence behind executing strategic goals and priorities; (2) data to measure performance of the organization and proactively inform workforce engagement strategies to optimize resonance and impact; and (3) how to prepare for and implement organizational changes in the near- and long-term. Currently, no databases or surveys exist to provide information on these areas as it relates to the total ONR workforce. The ONR As One survey is designed to provide the three information needs described above by surveying the ONR workforce. As an online survey, it is the most cost- and time-effective means for collecting the required information. Because nongovernment employees comprise approximately half of ONR’s total workforce, it is imperative that these workforce member types are included in the survey population. The feedback from these workforce member types is critical to the goal of capturing an accurate representation of the ONR total workforce on the measures that are of interest to the organization’s leadership: The information collected in the survey will be used to measure performance of the organization, proactively inform workforce engagement strategies for greater resonance and impact, and prepare for and implement organizational changes in the near- and long-term. All information will be collected by an online survey and all data will be reported in the aggregate. Dated: June 23, 2014. Aaron Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2014–14950 Filed 6–25–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy Notice of Intent To Grant Partially Exclusive License; Unified Operations LLC AGENCY: ACTION: E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM Department of the Navy, DoD. Notice. 26JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 123 (Thursday, June 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36297-36298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14733]



[[Page 36297]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 
Force Structure Realignment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of the Army has completed a Supplemental 
Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA) for Army force structure 
realignment and is making a draft Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FNSI) available for public comment. The draft FNSI incorporates the 
SPEA, which does not identify any significant environmental impacts 
from the proposed action, with the exception of socioeconomic impacts 
at most installations. The draft FNSI concludes that preparation of an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required.
    Current budgetary projections require the Army to analyze the 
reduction of active component end strength below the 490,000 Soldier 
reduction analyzed in the January 2013 Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment (PEA) as the 
further reductions exceed the scope of the 2013 PEA analysis. The SPEA 
builds on the foundation of the 2013 PEA and assesses the impacts of a 
potential reduction of an additional 70,000 Soldiers and associated 
reductions in Army civilians, down to an Active Component end-strength 
of 420,000 Soldiers. These reductions are necessary to achieve the 
savings required by the Budget Control Act of 2011.
    Nearly all Army installations will be affected in some way by 
additional reductions. The 2013 PEA evaluated 21 Army and joint base 
installations. With the deeper reductions now anticipated, the Army 
must consider nine additional installations that could experience 
reductions of 1,000 or more Active Component Soldiers and/or Army 
civilians.
    The SPEA does not identify any significant environmental impacts 
anticipated as a result of implementing the proposed action, with the 
exception of socioeconomic impacts at most installations; consequently, 
the preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 25, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: U.S. Army Environmental 
Command, ATTN: SPEA Public Comments, 2450 Connell Road (Building 2264), 
Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-7664; email: 
usarmy.jbsa.aec.nepa@mail.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact the U.S. Army 
Environmental Command Public Affairs Office, (210) 466-1590 or toll-
free 855-846-3940, or email at usarmy.jbsa.aec.nepa@mail.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2013, the Army announced a reduction of 
its force from a war time peak of about 570,000 in 2010 to 490,000, as 
well as a substantial realignment of the remaining force. These changes 
were required to achieve the savings specified in the Budget Control 
Act of 2011 and to adjust force structure to meet evolving mission 
requirements. To analyze their potential environmental and 
socioeconomic impacts, the Army prepared the 2013 PEA. Since the 2013 
PEA was completed, however, Department of Defense mission and fiscal 
considerations have continued to change, and the future end-strength of 
the Army must be reduced below the 490,000 covered by the 2013 PEA. The 
2014 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) states that the active Army will 
reduce to a force of 440,000-450,000 Soldiers. The 2014 QDR also states 
if sequestration-level cuts are imposed in FY 2016 and beyond, Active 
Component end-strength would be reduced to 420,000. As a result, the 
Army has prepared a SPEA, building on the information and analysis 
contained in the 2013 PEA, to assess the environmental and 
socioeconomic impacts of further reductions and to provide information 
to decision makers and the public.
    The installations that could experience reductions of 1,000 or more 
Active Component Soldiers and/or Army civilians--the appropriate 
threshold for inclusion of installations at the programmatic level of 
analysis--and which are specifically analyzed in the SPEA are Aberdeen 
Proving Ground, MD; Fort Belvoir, VA; Fort Benning, GA; Fort Bliss, TX; 
Fort Bragg, NC; Fort Campbell, KY; Fort Carson, CO; Fort Drum, NY; Fort 
Gordon, GA; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Huachuca, AZ; Fort Irwin, CA; Fort 
Jackson, SC; Fort Knox, KY; Fort Leavenworth, KS; Fort Lee, VA; Fort 
Leonard Wood, MO; Fort Meade, MD; Fort Polk, LA; Fort Riley, KS; Fort 
Rucker, AL; Fort Sill, OK; Fort Stewart, GA; Fort Wainwright, AK; Joint 
Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK; Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA; Joint 
Base Lewis-McChord, WA; Joint Base San Antonio--Fort Sam Houston, TX; 
and, United States Army Garrison Hawaii (Fort Shafter and Schofield 
Barracks), HI. The SPEA provides an assessment of the possible direct, 
indirect, and cumulative environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the 
greatest combined Soldier and Army civilian reductions being considered 
at each installation.
    In addition to the action alternative, the Army also evaluated a No 
Action Alternative. The No Action Alternative reflects the FY 2012 
force structure and retains the Army at the FY 2012 authorized end-
strength of about 562,000 Active Component Soldiers and 320,000 Army 
civilians. While some reductions have already been decided on since the 
April 2013 FNSI was signed, based on the 2013 PEA, the No Action 
Alternative in the SPEA allows for a comparison of baseline conditions 
with the environmental impacts of the action alternative.
    Environmental resource areas associated with the implementation of 
the proposed action, and therefore analyzed in the SPEA, are air 
quality, airspace, cultural resources, noise, soils, biological 
resources, wetlands, water resources, facilities, socioeconomics, 
energy demand and generation, land use, hazardous materials and waste, 
and traffic and transportation. Although no installations were 
identified as having potentially significant impacts to environmental 
resources should the full reductions be implemented, the SPEA concludes 
that most installations would have significant socioeconomic impacts.
    As was the case for the 2013 PEA, the reductions assessed in the 
SPEA are not tied to specific units. Options to achieve this additional 
force restructure are too numerous for analysis at this time; 
therefore, analysis of reductions related to specific units or 
organizations are not within the programmatic scope of the SPEA. During 
the force structure decision process, the Army will identify those 
units and organizations to be affected by reductions over the 2015-2020 
timeframe so as to meet the Army's national security mission and 
operate within a constrained fiscal environment.
    The SPEA and draft FNSI may be accessed at: https://aec.army.mil/Services/Support/NEPA/Documents.aspx. Also, in approximately one week 
after publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register 
by the Department of the Army, copies of the SPEA and draft FNSI will 
be available in various public libraries near the affected 
installations. Although the Army's NEPA regulations generally only 
require a 30-day public comment

[[Page 36298]]

period, this public comment period will be 60 days.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-14733 Filed 6-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P

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