Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Short-Term Projects and Real Property Master Plan Update for Fort Belvoir, Virginia, 54269-54270 [2014-21663]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Notices Federal advisory committee meeting of the Department of Defense Military Family Readiness Council. This meeting will be open to the public. Tuesday, October 7, 2014, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. DATES: Pentagon Conference Center B6 (escorts will be provided from the Pentagon Metro entrance). ADDRESSES: Ms. Melody McDonald or Ms. Yuko Whitestone, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Military Community & Family Policy), 4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350–2300, Room 3G15. Telephones (571) 372–0880; (571) 372–0876 and/or email: OSD Pentagon OUSD P–R Mailbox Family Readiness Council osd.pentagon.ousd-p-r.mbx.familyreadiness-council@mail.mil. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: This meeting is being held under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102–3.150. The purpose of the Council meeting is to review and make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense regarding policy and plans; monitor requirements for the support of military family readiness by the Department of Defense; evaluate and assess the effectiveness of the military family readiness programs and activities of the Department of Defense. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b and 41 CFR 102–3.140 through 102–3.165, this meeting is open to the public, subject to the availability of space. Persons desiring to attend may contact Ms. Melody McDonald at 571–372–0880 or email OSD Pentagon OUSD P–R Mailbox Family Readiness Council osd.pentagon.ousd-p-r.mbx.familyreadiness-council@mail.mil no later than 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 to arrange for escort inside the Pentagon to the Conference Room area. Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.105(j) and 102–3.140, and section 10(a)(3) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, interested persons may submit a written statement for consideration by the Council. Persons desiring to submit a written statement to the Council must notify the point of contact listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT no later than 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 30, 2014. The purpose of this meeting is to continue discussion of Military Family Readiness Council focus items for 2014. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:36 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 Tuesday, October 7, 2014 Meeting agenda Welcome & Administrative Remarks. Introduction and discussion of Fiscal Year 2015 Military Family Readiness Council focus items. Presentation, deliberation and voting on final recommendations for Fiscal Year 2014. Closing Remarks. Note: Exact order may vary. Dated: September 8, 2014. Aaron Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2014–21668 Filed 9–10–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Short-Term Projects and Real Property Master Plan Update for Fort Belvoir, Virginia Department of the Army, DoD. Notice of Availability. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed update of the Real Property Master Plan (RPMP) for Fort Belvoir, Virginia, which includes proposed short-term projects and longterm development. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the DEIS analyzes the environmental impacts associated with the proposed short-term projects, longterm development, and anticipated land use changes designated in an updated RPMP. The short-term projects are proposed for implementation by 2017. The long-term development projects are proposed for implementation by 2030. The DEIS assesses potential environmental impacts associated with future development and management of land, facilities, resources, and infrastructure. The updated RPMP incorporates adjustments to the land use plan in the RPMP that were made in the Final EIS for the Implementation of 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Recommendations and Related Army Actions at Fort Belvoir, Virginia (2007) and BRAC-related changes made since 2007. DATES: The public comment period will end 60 days after publication of the NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ADDRESSES: Please send written comments to: Fort Belvoir Directorate of SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54269 Public Works, Environmental and Natural Resources Division, Re: Real Property Master Plan EIS, 9430 Jackson Loop, Suite 200, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060–5116; or by email to imcom.fortbelvoir.dpw.environmental@ us.army.mil. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact: Fort Belvoir Directorate of Public Works, Environmental and Natural Resources Division, (703) 806– 3193 or (703) 806–0020, during normal working business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; or by email to imcom.fortbelvoir.dpw. environmental@us.army.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The RPMP and the DEIS focus on Fort Belvoir’s Main Post (7,700 acres) and the Fort Belvoir North Area (800 acres, formerly called the Engineer Proving Ground). The RPMP update does not cover Fort Belvoir property at Rivanna Station in Charlottesville, VA; the Mark Center in Alexandria, VA; or the Humphreys Engineer Center, adjacent to Main Post. The DEIS analyzes the environmental impacts of the short-term projects currently programmed for construction in fiscal years 2013 to 2017. These projects include new office buildings, community and recreational facilities, a Fisher House, industrial and maintenance facilities, roads, a new gate, and the National Museum of the U.S. Army. Some projects have already begun or have been completed; the cumulative impacts of these projects are analyzed in the DEIS. The Army is also updating its RPMP for Fort Belvoir by analyzing the off-post and on-post environmental impacts of reasonably foreseeable future development. The DEIS assesses the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts associated with updating the RPMP to meet the Army’s current and future planning needs. Additional site-specific NEPA analyses will be prepared, as required, for the short-term and longterm projects identified in the RPMP. Four alternatives are analyzed in this DEIS: No Action, Full Implementation, Modified Long-Term, and Modified Short-Term. The alternatives reflect various scenarios for short-term and long-term development. Other alternatives are considered in the DEIS, but they were determined not to be reasonable and therefore not subject to further analysis. (1) The No Action Alternative proposes maintaining current conditions and the 1993 RPMP (as amended in the 2007 BRAC EIS) would remain in effect. The workforce would remain near the post-BRAC, September, E:\FR\FM\11SEN1.SGM 11SEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 54270 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 176 / Thursday, September 11, 2014 / Notices 2011 workforce of approximately 39,000. (2) The Full Implementation Alternative (the Preferred Alternative) would implement the revised RPMP and all short-term and long-term projects. If the proposed short-term projects were completed as proposed under this alternative, approximately 5,000 employees would be added to the post’s workforce by 2017. If the long-term development projects were completed as proposed under this alternative, an additional 12,000 employees would be added, bringing the total 2030 workforce to approximately 56,000. (3) The Modified Long-Term Alternative proposes implementing the revised RPMP, all but two short-term projects proposed under the Full Implementation Alternative, and all but one of the long-term projects proposed under the Full Implementation Alternative. A proposed secure administrative campus on the Fort Belvoir North Area would not be built. Two of the short-term projects would be delayed to 2018 or later. Under this alternative, the total 2030 workforce would be approximately 50,000. (4) The Modified Short-Term Alternative proposes implementing the revised RPMP, most of the short-term projects, and all of the long-term projects but most short-term projects would be delayed until after 2017. Under this alternative, the total 2030 workforce would be approximately 55,000. Following issuance of the EIS Notice of Intent in September 2012, ‘‘ShortRange Projects’’ in the EIS title changed to ‘‘Short-Term Projects’’ to align with Unified Facilities Criteria 2–100– 01,Installation Master Planning. The DEIS evaluates the impacts of the alternatives on land use; socioeconomics, community facilities, and environmental justice; cultural resources; transportation and traffic; air quality; noise; geology, topography, and soils; water resources; biological resources; hazardous materials; utilities; and energy use and sustainability. The only resource that would sustain significant adverse impacts is transportation and traffic; impacts would be significant under all three action alternatives. Mitigation is identified for traffic impacts on Fort Belvoir and roadways in the vicinity of Fort Belvoir. While no significant adverse impacts are expected to biological resources, mitigations are proposed for tree removal. All government agencies, special interest groups, and individuals are invited to attend the public meeting and/or submit their comments in VerDate Mar<15>2010 18:29 Sep 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 writing. Information on the date, time and location of the public meeting will be published locally. Copies of the DEIS are available at the: Van Noy Library, Fort Belvoir; John Marshall Library, Alexandria, VA; Sherwood Regional Library, Alexandria, VA; Chinn Park Library, Woodbridge, VA; Kingstowne Library, Alexandria, VA; and Lorton Library, Lorton, VA. The DEIS can also be viewed at the following Web site: https://www.belvoir. army.mil/environdocssection9.asp. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–21663 Filed 9–10–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement in Cooperation With the North Carolina Department of Transportation for Improvements to the US 70 Corridor Between the Town of LaGrange, Lenoir County and the Town of Dover, Jones County, NC, the Proposed Project Would Ultimately Serve as a Bypass to the Town of Kinston, NC Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of Intent. AGENCY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), Wilmington District, Wilmington Regulatory Division is issuing this notice to advise the public that a State of North Carolina funded Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will be prepared for improvements to the transportation system starting near the intersection of US 70 and NC 903 near the Town of LaGrange, Lenoir County, heading east near the intersection of US 70 and Old US 70 (NCSR–1005) near the Town of Dover, Jones County, NC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action and DEIS can be directed to Mr. Tom Steffens, Regulatory Project Manager, Washington Regulatory Field Office, 2407 West 5th Street, Washington, NC 27889; telephone: (910) 251–4615 or Mr. Bob Deaton, Project Development Engineer, North Carolina Department of Transportation, 1548 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699–1548, Telephone: (919) 707–6017. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The COE in cooperation with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will prepare an Environmental Impact SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Statement (EIS) on a proposal to make transportation improvements to the US 70 corridor between the Town of LaGrange, Lenoir County and the Town of Dover, Jones County, NC. The North Carolina Department of Transportation Improvement Program (TIP R–2553 US 70 Kinston Bypass) project will serve as a Geographic Information System (GIS) pilot project to test and evaluate streamlining the project development process by utilizing GIS data for alternative development, alternative analysis, and selection of the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA). The purpose of the US 70 Kinston Bypass project is to improve regional mobility, connectivity and capacity deficiencies on US 70 between LaGrange and Dover. The project study area is roughly bounded on the west by NC–903 and US 70 near LaGrange, on the north by the Lenoir/Greene County line, to the east near Dover and to the south at the Duplin/Lenoir County line. This project is being reviewed through the Merger 01 process designed to streamline the project development and permitting processes, agreed to by the COE, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Division of Water Resources, Division of Coastal Management), Federal Highway Administration (for this project not applicable), North Carolina Department of Transportation and supported by other stakeholder agencies and local units of government. The other partnering agencies include: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission; N.C. Department of Cultural Resources; and the Eastern Carolina Rural Planning Organization. The Merger process provides a forum for appropriate agency representatives to discuss and reach consensus on ways to facilitate meeting the regulatory requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act during the NEPA/SEPA decision-making phase of transportation projects. In June 2010 the project was presented to Federal and State Resource and Regulatory Agencies to gain concurrence on the purpose and need for the project. The aforementioned purpose and need of the project was agreed upon by participating agencies in October of 2010. In November 2011, the project was again presented to participating agencies regarding the preliminary corridor screening process in an attempt to decide which alternatives would be carried forward for detailed analysis. Multiple meetings throughout 2012 and 2013 revised the initial number of alternatives carried E:\FR\FM\11SEN1.SGM 11SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 176 (Thursday, September 11, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54269-54270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21663]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Short-Term Projects and 
Real Property Master Plan Update for Fort Belvoir, Virginia

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed update of 
the Real Property Master Plan (RPMP) for Fort Belvoir, Virginia, which 
includes proposed short-term projects and long-term development. In 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the DEIS 
analyzes the environmental impacts associated with the proposed short-
term projects, long-term development, and anticipated land use changes 
designated in an updated RPMP. The short-term projects are proposed for 
implementation by 2017. The long-term development projects are proposed 
for implementation by 2030. The DEIS assesses potential environmental 
impacts associated with future development and management of land, 
facilities, resources, and infrastructure. The updated RPMP 
incorporates adjustments to the land use plan in the RPMP that were 
made in the Final EIS for the Implementation of 2005 Base Realignment 
and Closure (BRAC) Recommendations and Related Army Actions at Fort 
Belvoir, Virginia (2007) and BRAC-related changes made since 2007.

DATES: The public comment period will end 60 days after publication of 
the NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency.

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments to: Fort Belvoir Directorate of 
Public Works, Environmental and Natural Resources Division, Re: Real 
Property Master Plan EIS, 9430 Jackson Loop, Suite 200, Fort Belvoir, 
VA 22060-5116; or by email to 
imcom.fortbelvoir.dpw.environmental@us.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact: Fort Belvoir 
Directorate of Public Works, Environmental and Natural Resources 
Division, (703) 806-3193 or (703) 806-0020, during normal working 
business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; or by email 
to imcom.fortbelvoir.dpw.environmental@us.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The RPMP and the DEIS focus on Fort 
Belvoir's Main Post (7,700 acres) and the Fort Belvoir North Area (800 
acres, formerly called the Engineer Proving Ground). The RPMP update 
does not cover Fort Belvoir property at Rivanna Station in 
Charlottesville, VA; the Mark Center in Alexandria, VA; or the 
Humphreys Engineer Center, adjacent to Main Post.
    The DEIS analyzes the environmental impacts of the short-term 
projects currently programmed for construction in fiscal years 2013 to 
2017. These projects include new office buildings, community and 
recreational facilities, a Fisher House, industrial and maintenance 
facilities, roads, a new gate, and the National Museum of the U.S. 
Army. Some projects have already begun or have been completed; the 
cumulative impacts of these projects are analyzed in the DEIS.
    The Army is also updating its RPMP for Fort Belvoir by analyzing 
the off-post and on-post environmental impacts of reasonably 
foreseeable future development. The DEIS assesses the potential direct, 
indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts associated with updating 
the RPMP to meet the Army's current and future planning needs. 
Additional site-specific NEPA analyses will be prepared, as required, 
for the short-term and long-term projects identified in the RPMP.
    Four alternatives are analyzed in this DEIS: No Action, Full 
Implementation, Modified Long-Term, and Modified Short-Term. The 
alternatives reflect various scenarios for short-term and long-term 
development. Other alternatives are considered in the DEIS, but they 
were determined not to be reasonable and therefore not subject to 
further analysis.
    (1) The No Action Alternative proposes maintaining current 
conditions and the 1993 RPMP (as amended in the 2007 BRAC EIS) would 
remain in effect. The workforce would remain near the post-BRAC, 
September,

[[Page 54270]]

2011 workforce of approximately 39,000.
    (2) The Full Implementation Alternative (the Preferred Alternative) 
would implement the revised RPMP and all short-term and long-term 
projects. If the proposed short-term projects were completed as 
proposed under this alternative, approximately 5,000 employees would be 
added to the post's workforce by 2017. If the long-term development 
projects were completed as proposed under this alternative, an 
additional 12,000 employees would be added, bringing the total 2030 
workforce to approximately 56,000.
    (3) The Modified Long-Term Alternative proposes implementing the 
revised RPMP, all but two short-term projects proposed under the Full 
Implementation Alternative, and all but one of the long-term projects 
proposed under the Full Implementation Alternative. A proposed secure 
administrative campus on the Fort Belvoir North Area would not be 
built. Two of the short-term projects would be delayed to 2018 or 
later. Under this alternative, the total 2030 workforce would be 
approximately 50,000.
    (4) The Modified Short-Term Alternative proposes implementing the 
revised RPMP, most of the short-term projects, and all of the long-term 
projects but most short-term projects would be delayed until after 
2017. Under this alternative, the total 2030 workforce would be 
approximately 55,000.
    Following issuance of the EIS Notice of Intent in September 2012, 
``Short-Range Projects'' in the EIS title changed to ``Short-Term 
Projects'' to align with Unified Facilities Criteria 2-100-
01,Installation Master Planning.
    The DEIS evaluates the impacts of the alternatives on land use; 
socioeconomics, community facilities, and environmental justice; 
cultural resources; transportation and traffic; air quality; noise; 
geology, topography, and soils; water resources; biological resources; 
hazardous materials; utilities; and energy use and sustainability. The 
only resource that would sustain significant adverse impacts is 
transportation and traffic; impacts would be significant under all 
three action alternatives. Mitigation is identified for traffic impacts 
on Fort Belvoir and roadways in the vicinity of Fort Belvoir. While no 
significant adverse impacts are expected to biological resources, 
mitigations are proposed for tree removal.
    All government agencies, special interest groups, and individuals 
are invited to attend the public meeting and/or submit their comments 
in writing. Information on the date, time and location of the public 
meeting will be published locally.
    Copies of the DEIS are available at the: Van Noy Library, Fort 
Belvoir; John Marshall Library, Alexandria, VA; Sherwood Regional 
Library, Alexandria, VA; Chinn Park Library, Woodbridge, VA; Kingstowne 
Library, Alexandria, VA; and Lorton Library, Lorton, VA. The DEIS can 
also be viewed at the following Web site: https://www.belvoir.army.mil/environdocssection9.asp.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-21663 Filed 9-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P
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