Army Department – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Wilmington District, Wilmington Regulatory Field Office has received a request for Department of the Army authorization, pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbor Act, from Carteret County to develop and implement, under an inter-local agreement between the towns on Bogue Banks barrier island, a multi- decadal Master Plan that would provide ocean shoreline protection to approximately 25 miles of beach over a minimum period of 30 years.

The Department of the Army announces a ROD for conversion of the 3rd ACR to an SBCT at Fort Hood and discusses the environmental impacts of this decision. After conversion, the 3rd ACR will provide the Army with a force structure that has the flexibility to respond better to threats in an unpredictable global security environment. The Army's strategic estimate remains that its force requirements will best be met by a robust multiweight force, composed of a mix of Infantry BCTs and Heavy Armor BCTs augmented with the protection and versatility of an additional SBCT. The 3rd ACR at Fort Hood is being selected because the unit will have maximum time to convert and train with new equipment prior to redeploying. In addition, Fort Hood is an installation capable of providing fully modernized training infrastructure, as well as many of the existing garrison support facilities required for an SBCT, and has adequate maneuver space to accommodate SBCT training. The 3rd ACR will begin converting in 2012 and will be complete in Fiscal Year 2014. With this conversion, the Army will have nine SBCTs (eight Active Component and one Reserve Component).

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.

In accordance with 37 CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i), announcement is made of a prospective partially exclusive license of the following U.S. Patent Application 12/243,084, Filed October 01, 2008, to Green & Grow LLC for use in agricultural applications and products (to include crop preparation, cover crop, seed germination, seed coatings, side dressing, lawn application and starter ground cover) and applications in the fields of soil and slope stabilization, enhanced bioremediation, dust and run-off control, fly ash removal, emissions particulate removal, metal and inorganic chelation in soils and water, soil erosion, road stabilizer, and dust suppression.

The Corps of Engineers (Corps) is proposing to amend its regulations to establish a permanent restricted area in the waters of the Potomac River in the vicinity of Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico, located in Quantico, Virginia. The establishment of a permanent restricted area is necessary to reflect the current security and safety needs at MCB Quantico, including protection of military assets at the Marine Corps Air Facility (MCAF) Quantico, which include the Presidential Helicopter Squadron. The assets located on MCAF Quantico are considered national assets of strategic value and require the increased protection obtained by restricting all public access to within 500 meters of the MCAF shoreline. The proposed restricted area provides standoff from most small arms weapons, acts as a security buffer, and assists USMC security forces in determining intent amongst heavy boat traffic. Additionally, there is an extreme hazard to small craft and vessels operating in close proximity to the MCAF due to jet and prop wash from heavy jet and rotary wing aircraft operating at low altitudes while conducting takeoff and landing operations. The proposed restricted area protects public safety by denying vessels access to this danger. The restricted area is also required to protect public health by preventing vessels from disturbing a planned environmental remediation area located in the vicinity of MCAF. The restricted area will extend approximately 500 meters from the shoreline of MCB/MCAF Quantico and will include the Chopawamsic Creek channel.

The U.S. Army requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) revise the regulation for the restricted area in the Cape Fear River and its tributaries at Sunny Point Army Terminal, Brunswick County, North Carolina, by renaming the marker buoys and specifying the latitude and longitude for those buoys. There are no other changes proposed for this restricted area regulation. The purpose of the proposed rule is to correct the buoys designating the boundary of the restricted area which provide security for the facility, and prevent acts of terrorism, sabotage, or other criminal acts against the facility, including vessels loading and offloading at the Sunny Point Army Terminal. In the ``Rules and Regulations'' section of the Federal Register, we are publishing this change to the restricted area regulation as a direct final rule without prior proposal because we view this as a non-controversial adjustment to our restricted area regulations and anticipate no adverse comment. We have explained our reasons for this approval in the preamble to the direct final rule. If we receive no adverse comment, we will not take further action on this rule and it will go into effect. If we receive adverse comment, we will withdraw the direct final rule and it will not take effect. We will

The Department of the Army announces the availability of a ROD that documents and summarizes the implementation of the preferred alternative described in the Fort Bliss Army Growth and Force Structure Realignment Final Environmental Impact Statement (hereinafter referred to as the FEIS). The preferred alternative consists of actions in three different categories (stationing/training, land use changes, and training infrastructure improvements) of interrelated alternatives.

The Department of the Army announces the availability of an FEIS to analyze the environmental and socioeconomic impacts resulting from the proposed construction and operation of 12 range projects and two garrison support facilities at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Los Angeles District, and the City of San Clemente are issuing this notice to announce the availability for public review and comment of a Draft Joint Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIS/EIR) for the San Clemente Shoreline Feasibility Study. The purpose of the San Clemente Shoreline Feasibility Study (Project) is to provide shore protection through nourishment of the beach at the Pier. Developing and maintaining the beach is needed to prevent the severe beach erosion that results from winter storms and to prevent damage to adjacent beachfront structures, including the heavily used rail line that runs along the beach through the City. The City of San Clemente is located along the coast of southern California about 60 miles (100 kilometers) south of Los Angeles at the southern end of Orange County near the border of San Diego County. The study area is encompassed within the City of San Clemente and extends approximately 3,412 ft (1,040 m) from Linda Lane to T Street. The Proposed Project consists of dredging material from offshore Oceanside, then hauling and placing it at San Clemente Beach. The proposed Project is a 50 foot (15 m) resultant beach width. Beach fill would be 3,412 ft (1,040 m) long with a +17 ft (+5.2 m) crest elevation. The dredge volume is estimated to be approximately 251,130 cubic yards (192,000 m3). Construction is anticipated to begin in 2012.

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 Department of Defense announces that the following Federal advisory committee meeting will take place:

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 Department of Defense announces that the following Federal advisory committee meeting will take place:

On January 22, 2009, the Alaska District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published a notice of intent to prepare a Draft