Army Department 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of the Army 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.

The United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) and United States Army Garrison, Hawai`i (USAG-HI) intend to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for modernizing training ranges, training support infrastructure (roads and utilities), and training support facilities in the cantonment area at P[omacr]hakuloa Training Area (PTA) to meet better the readiness needs of military units in Hawai`i. The PEIS will evaluate PTA's long-term vision for modernizing training ranges, training support infrastructure, and the cantonment area to improve a current shortfall in collective (group) live-fire training capabilities for units stationed in Hawai`i. The PEIS also includes an analysis for constructing and operating an Infantry Platoon Battle Area (IPBA) that would include an Infantry Platoon Battle Course (IPBC), Live-fire Shoothouse, and Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) facility. The IPBC would augment the existing non-standard IPBC (located at Range 10 on PTA), which is undersized and cannot be modernized in its current footprint. The Range 10 IPBC would continue to be used for non-standard collective live-fire training exercises. Many of the training ranges and infrastructure at PTA do not meet current doctrinal training and standard range design requirements. Many of the range assets at PTA also do not have sufficient throughput capacity to meet collective live-fire training requirements. Alternatives analyzed in the PEIS will consider modernizing the training ranges, training support infrastructure, and the cantonment area at PTA, and a No Action alternative. Under the No Action alternative, the Army would continue utilizing current training lands and facilities as efficiently as possible. The PEIS will also present a range of alternatives for the IPBA at either the Western Range Area of PTA, Charlie's Circle, or along the southwest side of Range 20, or to not build and operate the IPBA at all. The primary environmental issues to be analyzed in the PEIS include (but are not limited to) air quality, traffic, biological resources, cultural resources, public services and utilities, wildfires, and hazardous materials and waste. There could be significant impacts to cultural resources, air quality, and risk from igniting wildfires. Also, we anticipate that some federally-listed threatened or endangered plants would be affected. Predicted environmental impacts associated with implementing the initial range project of constructing and operating the IPBA will be analyzed to include an increase in vehicle traffic, air quality impacts, and live-fire activities at currently underutilized range locations at PTA. The proposed action may increase the risk of igniting wildfires or may result in a loss of cultural resources. The Army will identify mitigation measures that could be implemented to reduce or eliminate adverse impacts to the environmental resources.

The Department of the Army announces the availability of the FEIS, which evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with the disposal and reuse of Fort McPherson, Georgia.

Department of the Army proposes to alter a system of records notices in its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

The Department of the Army announces that, unless there is an objection, after 15 days it contemplates granting an exclusive license to Polymer Processing Institute, a not-for-profit corporation having a place of business in the New Jersey Institute of Technology Campus in Newark, New Jersey, to produce the following inventions: ARDEC Reference 2006-043, and U.S. patent application 12/ 483420``Foamed Celluloid Mortar Propellant Increment Containers'' Inventors Ming-Wan Young, Costas G. Gogos; Niloufar Faridi; Linjie Zhu; Peter Bonnett; Howard Shimm; Elbert Caravaca; Joseph Palk. ARDEC Reference 2006-043 continuation (disclosure) ``Foamed Celluloid and Applications Therefor''. ARDEC Reference 2009-014 (disclosure)``Prepare Foamed Energetic Material at a High Production Rate''Inventors Linjie Zhu; Fei Shen; Ming-wan Young; Costas G. Gogos; Chong Peng; Mohamed Elalem; Joseph Palk; Howard (Howie) Shimm, Dale Conti; Elbert Caravaca; Peter Bonnett. ARDEC Reference 2009-015 (disclosure)``Prepare Foamed Energetic Material by Expandable Bead Methodology''Inventors Niloufar Faridi; Linjie Zhu; Ming-wan Young; Costas G. Gogos; Kuanyin Lin; Mohamed Elalem; Joseph Palk; Elbert Caravaca; Dale Conti. Any license granted shall comply with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404.

Announcement is made of the availability for licensing of the invention set forth in patent application PCT/US2009/060850, entitled ``Clinical Decision Model,'' filed October 15, 2009. The United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of the Army, has rights to this invention.

The Department of the Army proposes to add a system of records to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

In accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(e), and 37 CFR 404.7 (a)(1)(i) and 37 CFR 404.7 (b)(1)(i), announcement is made of the intent to grant an exclusive, revocable license for the invention claimed in the patent application PCT/US2009/045818, filed June 1, 2009, entitled, ``Meningococcal Multivalent Native Outer Membrane Vesicle Vaccine, Methods of Making and Use Thereof,'' to Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., with its principal place of business at One Merck Drive, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889-3400.

The Chicago District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announces its intent to (1) prepare a Draft EIS, (2) accept public comments and (3) host a public scoping meeting in Chicago for GLMRIS. In collaboration with other Federal, State, and local agencies as well as non-governmental entities, USACE is conducting a feasibility study of the options and technologies that could be applied to prevent or reduce the risk of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) transfer between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins through aquatic pathways.

The Department of the Army proposes to add a system of records to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

The Corps of Engineers is proposing to amend an existing permanent danger zone in the waters of the Upper Machodoc Creek and the Potomac River in the vicinity of Dahlgren in King George County, Virginia. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren conducts research, development, testing and evaluation of national defense systems on the Potomac River Test Range. Many of the tests are hazardous operations presenting a danger to persons or property in the danger zone. The proposed amendment is necessary to protect the public from hazardous operations such as firing large and small caliber guns and projectiles, aerial bombing, use of directed energy and operating manned or unmanned watercraft. The proposed amendment adds a 100-yard buffer to the Middle Danger Zone to prevent public contact with unexploded ordnance along the shoreline of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren within this zone.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is making available to the public all work products of the Chetco River Gravel Mining Executive and Technical Teams. These work products consist of meeting agendas, meeting minutes, reports, and other documents related to the proposed Chetco River Gravel Mining Regional General Permit and the evaluation of commercial gravel mining activities in other river systems within the state of Oregon. These work products (and additional information concerning the proposed regional general permit) can be viewed at https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/regulatory/publicnotice.asp under the heading ``Chetco River gravel mining.'' The Corps is soliciting comments from the public on these documents. The Corps will consider these comments in the evaluation of whether to issue the Chetco River Gravel Mining Regional General Permit.

The Department of the Army announces the availability of the Draft 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 potential establishment of one or more Combat Aviation Brigades (CABs). The proposed action will increase the availability of helicopter 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 Draft PEIS evaluates the environmental impacts associated with the proposed action, which also includes the construction and renovation of garrison facilities, as well as additional training needed to support the aviation units. Land acquisition is not being considered as part of this action. The Draft PEIS considers the following alternatives: Alternative 1Realign and Station Existing Aviation Elements of Up to a Full CAB or Activate and Station a New CAB at Fort Carson, Colorado. Under this alternative, the Army either will consolidate existing aviation units not currently assigned to a CAB into a standard CAB structure at Fort Carson or activate a new CAB at Fort Carson. As part of this alternative, aviation units will conduct training on existing land at Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS), Colorado, in order to maintain training proficiency and support integrated training with ground units. Land acquisition is not being considered as part of this action. Alternative 2Realign and Station Existing Aviation elements of Up to a Full CAB or Grow, Station and Activate a CAB at Joint Base Lewis- McChord (JBLM) Washington. Under this alternative, the Army either will consolidate existing aviation units not currently assigned to a CAB into a standard CAB structure at JBLM or activate a new CAB at JBLM. As part of this alternative, aviation units will conduct training on existing training land at Yakima Training Center (YTC), Washington, in order to maintain training proficiency and support integrated training with ground units. Land acquisition is not being considered as part of this action. Alternative 3Implement Alternatives 1 and 2 (preferred alternative). Under this alternative, the Army will implement both alternatives. Under this alternative, the consolidated units forming a CAB would be stationed at one installation, and the new CAB would be activated and stationed at the other installation. Fort Carson and JBLM would each gain up to one CAB. As part of this alternative, aviation units would conduct training on existing training land at the installation's training maneuver area (PCMS for Fort Carson and YTC for JBLM) in order to maintain training proficiency and support integrated training with ground units. Alternative 4No Action Alternative. Under this alternative, the Army would retain its aviation force structure at its current levels, configurations, and locations. Fort Carson and JBLM are the only stationing alternatives that meet all of the Army's stationing requirements for new CAB stationing. These locations have existing runways and airfields, provide adequate maneuver and airspace for CAB operations, and are equipped with existing training ranges that can support CAB training. Most importantly, Fort Carson and JBLM are the only major installations that have three or more Brigade Combat Teams but no CAB dedicated to provide aviation support for training. The proposed action would allow the Army to maximize integrated air-ground training. Land acquisition is not being considered as part of this action.

Department of the Army is altering a system of records notices in its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1968, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prepared a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mechanical Creation and Maintenance of Emergent Sandbar Habitat on the Riverine Segments of the Upper Missouri River and by this notice is announcing the opening of the comment period.

The Little Rock District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is withdrawing its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Pine Mountain Dam & Lake Project, AR. The original Notice of Intent (NOI) was published in the Federal Register on September 25, 2009 (74 FR 48934). The River Valley Regional Water District, sponsor of the study, has recently requested the study be suspended until a later date (to be determined).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is proposing to amend its regulations to establish one new danger zone in Pamlico Sound near Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Establishment of this danger zone will enable the Marine Corps to control access and movement of persons, vessels, and objects within the danger zone during live fire training exercises.

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976, and Federal regulations governing advisory committee meetings, the Department of Defense announces a Federal advisory committee meeting for the United States Military Academy Board of Visitors. This is the 2010 Annual Meeting of the USMA Board of Visitors. Members of the Board will be provided updates on Academy issues.

In accordance with Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), announcement is made of the following committee meeting: Name of Committee: Chief of Engineers Environmental Advisory Board (EAB). Topic: The EAB will discuss national considerations related to ecosystem restoration through integrated water resources management with emphasis on long-term recovery in the Gulf of Mexico, sea level rise in south Florida, and progress and status of South Florida ecosystem restoration. Date of Meeting: October 29, 2010. Place: The Westin Colonnade, 180 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 33134. Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thirty minutes will be set aside for public comment. Members of the public who wish to speak are asked to register prior to the start of the meeting. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Statements are limited to 3 minutes.

The SDEIS will supplement and supersede the Draft EIS of October 27, 2009 (DEIS), which was produced jointly by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR), released for public comment on November 6, 2009. The SDEIS will respond to concerns about wetlands and water quality issues associated with the NorthMet mining and ore processing proposal, located in Northeast Minnesota, as identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency and other commentors. The SDEIS will also incorporate potential effects from a proposed land exchange between the USDA Superior National Forest (SNF) and PolyMet Mining, Inc. (PolyMet). The SNF will join the USACE and MNDNR as a third lead agency responsible for EIS preparation because the land where the mine is proposed is owned by the SNF. Cooperating Agencies for preparation of the SDEIS include Minnesota Bands of Chippewa/Ojibwe (Bois Forte and Fond du Lac). Others who have requested to become cooperating agencies include the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa/Ojibwe. Federal laws and policies, which the joint lead agencies are required to consider, will be outlined in the EIS for both mine permiting and land exchange processes.

The Department of the Army announces the general availability of exclusive, partially exclusive or non-exclusive licenses relative to the following listing of patents. Any license shall comply with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR part 404.

The Department of the Army proposes to add a system of records to its inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

The Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) is providing notice that it is releasing an interim change to the MFTURP No. 1 on October 1, 2010. The interim change updates Section B, Item 21, Detention: Vehicles With Power Units (DEP).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District, is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for flood risk management measures along the North Branch Ecorse Creek (NBEC) in Wayne County, MI. The Draft EIS is being prepared in conjunction with a General Reevaluation Report (GRR) of the NBEC to reevaluate the feasibility of providing flood risk management measures. The GRR/EIS is being completed in partnership with Wayne County, MI. The Draft EIS will address potential environmental impacts of the construction, operation, and maintenance of a number of structural and non-structural alternatives that will be evaluated as part of the GRR study.