[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 122 (Monday, June 26, 1995)] [Notices] [Page 32946] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-15491] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Creation of Artificial Reefs Within the U.S. Continental Shelf Using Surplus Armored Vehicles (REEF-EX) AGENCY: Army Material Command, DOD. ACTION: Notice of Availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice of availability is for the Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) which were prepared for the program known as Reef-Ex. The EA analyzes the environmental impacts of transportation, cleaning, and offshore placement of obsolete surplus armored military vehicles into artificial reef placement sites pre-approved by the appropriate state and Federal regulatory authorities. The FNSI briefly presents the reasons why the proposed action will not significantly affect the human environment and why an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was not prepared. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Persons wishing to review or receive further information on the EA and FNSI should contact LTC Dale, (703) 274-7115, Headquarters, U.S. Army Materiel Command, ATTN: AMCSA-AR, 5001, Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA 22333-0001. For due consideration, comments must be received no later than 30 days from publication of this notice in the Federal Register. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of Reef-Ex is to provide practical and challenging U.S. Reserve Component training while enhancing national fishery resources. Benefits to the military include training for the Reserve Component personnel responsible for preparing and implementing transportation plans, scheduling and conducting and cleaning operations, and executing the final placement of vehicles at designed reef sites. National fishery resources will benefit from the increase of valuable habitat. Reef-Ex will concentrate primarily on the offshore deployment of obsolete armored vehicles. The obsolete armored vehicles will come largely from two classes: tanks and combat vehicles. The primary tank considered for the Reef-Ex program will be the M60 main battle tank. The Viet Nam-era M60 tank became obsolete by the end of the cold war. In addition, earlier model tanks such as the M48 and M551 ``Sheridan'' tanks may also be used in the Reef-Ex program. The combat vehicles will consist of members from the M113 Family of Vehicles (FOV), which have been used for a variety of missions including transport of infantry and engineering units, medial evacuation, fire support, and command and control functions on the battlefield. Under this program, it is proposed that up to 1,000 surplus/obsolete armored vehicles and similar types of equipment will be deployed in offshore artificial reef sites annually. If a reef site lies within state waters, a state permit and a Federal (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) permit are required. If a reef is established in Federal waters (beyond the 3 miles from the ocean shoreline), only a Corps of Engineers (COE) permit is required. The holder of the COE permit; i.e. a state agency, is responsible for complying with all terms and conditions of the artificial reef permit and obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. No armored vehicles will be transported for artificial reef placement without the necessary regulatory approvals. Cleanup standards and inspection procedures for the M48 and M60 tanks were developed as a result of extensive coordination with Federal and state agencies. Similar cleanup standards and inspections procedures will be developed for combat vehicles and other types of tanks. In addition to the proposed action, the EA considered several alternatives. They were: (1) No action, (2) sell for scrap/salvage, (3) sales to other countries, and (4) mothballing. The direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts associated with implementation of the Reef-Ex program by the U.S. Reserve Component personnel will not have significant adverse effects on the quality of the human environment. No threatened or endangered species, historical sites, or known archaeological resources are expected to be adversely affected by any of the activities associated with the Reef-Ex program. Coordination and cooperation with regulatory and technical environmental agencies has and will ensure that this action will be environmentally beneficial by creating valuable habitat for undersea life and providing for enhanced offshore fishing and diving on the artificial reef and surrounding areas. Based upon the analysis of the economic, social, and environmental considerations addressed in the EA, it was determined that the Reef-Ex program will not cause any significant impacts to the environment. Therefore, no EIS is required and a FNSI was prepared. Gregory D. Showalter, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 95-15491 Filed 6-23-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-08-M