Department of the Army April 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and U.S. Army Garrison, Hawai`i, (USAG-HI) propose to construct and operate a modern Infantry Platoon Battle Course (IPBC) and associated infrastructure that is compliant with current Army training requirements at P[omacr]hakuloa Training Area (PTA), Hawai`i. The proposed IPBC would 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. Two alternatives were analyzed in the EIS: the Western Range Area Alternative (preferred) and the Charlie Circle Alternative. Both proposed IPBC alternative locations are in under-utilized portions of the PTA impact area where no ranges currently exist. These locations have been exposed to indirect munitions fire, and the proposed action would reclaim portions of the impact area to construct the IPBC. A third alternative analyzed in the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS), Southwest of Range 20, is not operationally feasible and has been eliminated from the Final EIS. The Army also considered a No Action Alternative to not build the IPBC. For all alternatives (except for the No Action), the IPBC would be used for 242 training days per year. The Army identified and analyzed environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with the proposed IPBC. The major potential environmental impacts are to air quality, cultural sites, threatened and endangered species, encountering munitions and explosives of concern, and igniting wildfires. Cultural resources could also be significantly impacted. The Army consulted with the USFWS on potential mitigation measures to protect federally-listed species. The USFWS issued a Biological Opinion (BO) pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act on January 11, 2013. The Army also consulted with the State Historic Preservation Division, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and other consulting parties, including Native Hawaiian organizations, about potential effects on cultural resources and mitigation of those effects. The Army and the consulting parties are in the process of signing a Programmatic Agreement (PA) pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The PA establishes how the remaining steps to the Section 106 consultation will be completed and the mitigation measures for the potential adverse effects on cultural resources. The PA will be signed prior to the Army issuing a Record of Decision for the proposed action.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Sunshine in the Government Act of 1976 (U.S.C. 552b, as amended) and 41 Code of the Federal Regulations (CFR 102-3. 140 through 160), the Department of the Army announces the following committee meeting: Name of Committee: Advisory Committee on Arlington National Cemetery. Date of Meeting: Wednesday, May 8, 2013. Time of Meeting: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Place of Meeting: Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Conference Room, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Proposed Agenda: Purpose of the meeting is to approve minutes from the previous meeting on September 10, 2012; review the State of Arlington National Cemetery, formalize business rules for memorial requests at ANC in accordance with Public Law 112-154; review status of subcommittee topics; and set the proposed calendar for follow-on meetings. Public's Accessibility to the Meeting: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b and 41 CFR 102-3.140 through 102-3.165, and the availability of space, this meeting is open to the public. Seating is on a first-come basis.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Sunshine in the Government Act of 1976 (U.S.C. 552b, as amended) and 41Code of the Federal Regulations (CFR 102-3.140 through 160, the Department of the Army requests information on science and technology (S&T) research, operational concepts, and mission support innovations to support Army core competencies. No funds are available for any proposal or information submission and submitting information does not bind the Army for any future contracts/grants resulting from this request for information. The Army Science Board is requesting information from organizations external to the Army that will help the board complete its analysis and ensure that all viable sources of information are explored. Based on information submitted in response to this request the Army Science Board may invite selected organizations to provide additional information on technologies of interest. To supplement the information developed in previous studies and otherwise available to the Board, organizations are invited to submit information on technologies to support core competencies that they believe should be considered. Of particular interest are those technologies that support Army core competencies and can be developed externally, either with support from the Army or from other sources. Specific information requested is: Identification of technology and core competency it supports; Description of the technology, including current maturity and current performers; description of how the technology supports the core competency; and description of why this technology pursuit/capability is best performed by the industrial base or other organization external to the Army, rather than performed internal to the Army.

The Department of the Army announces its intent to conduct public scoping under the National Environmental Policy Act to gather information to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) related to the critically-needed modernization and repairs of Piers 2 and 3, Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) due to structural decay caused by severe deterioration, wide-spread marine borer damage, and fungal decay. Piers 2 and 3 are used to transport military supplies in the Pacific region. There may be significant impacts to threatened and endangered species. The following other resource areas may be impacted: water quality, noise, terrestrial and marine species, and traffic. For example, the proposed action will replace a large number of piles; this work will likely result in water quality issues and an increase in noise. The Department of the Army will use the analysis in the EIS to determine whether and how to implement the proposed action.