[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 212 (Thursday, November 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 55702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27170]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army


Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for 
the Proposed Construction of a Rail Connector for Fort Campbell, KY

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Fort Campbell, Kentucky, requires rail service to deploy 
rapidly throughout the world. The U.S. Army owns 17 miles of track from 
Fort Campbell to the town of Hopkinsville, KY, and approximately three 
miles of track in the town of Hopkinsville. Currently, a lengthy 
switching procedure is required to move a train, necessary during 
contingency operations and possible during major exercises, to or from 
Fort Campbell. Fort Campbell cannot rapidly deploy the 101st Airborne 
Division and other units with the existing switching restrictions in 
Hopkinsville.
    The Army action analyzed in this Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) is the construction of a rail connector between the 
government-owned line and the CSX line in Christian County, Kentucky. 
The environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with alternative 
locations for this proposed rail connector are analyzed. Five 
alternative alignments, including the No-Action Alternative, have been 
evaluated:
    The No-Action Alternative requires no change in the existing 
configuration or operation of the rail lines, or construction of any 
new ones. With the No-Action Alternative, trains from Fort Campbell 
would continue current operations, using the Hopkinsville Beltline and 
Interchange to switch five cars at a time to the CSX mainline.
    The Hopkinsville Interchange Upgrade Alternative (Alternative 1) 
upgrades the existing connection between the government-owned rail line 
with the CSX mainline track via the Hopkinsville Beltline. This 
alignment involves construction of two relatively short rail connectors 
within the city limits of Hopkinsville and a 2.2 mile siding track 
parallel to the existing government line south of Hopkinsville.
    The Hopkinsville Bypass North Alternative (Alternative 2N) connects 
the government line directly to the CSX mainline south of Hopkinsville 
and north of the Hopkinsville Bypass (KY 8546) with approximately 2.7 
miles of new track. This alignment also includes the construction of a 
2.2 mile siding parallel to the existing government line south of 
Hopkinsville.
    The Hopkinsville Bypass South Alternative (Alternative 2S) connects 
the government line directly to the CSX mainline south of Hopkinsville 
and south of the Hopkinsville Bypass (KY 8546) with approximately 2.8 
miles of new track. A 2.2 mile siding parallel to the existing 
government line south of Hopkinsville is also included in this 
alternative.
    Alternative 3, the Masonville-Casky Alternative, connects the 
government line directly to the CSX mainline approximately six miles 
south of Hopkinsville with approximately 5.5 miles of track. A 2.2 mile 
siding for Alternative 3 is included in the alignment corridor. Short-
term and long-term potentially significant adverse environmental 
consequences from all build alternatives evaluated in this document 
include impacts to cultural resources and water quality. Short-term 
potentially significant adverse impacts for Alternative 1 include 
increased traffic congestion and risk to public safety during 
construction. The No-Action Alternative will not meet mission 
requirements and will worsen existing traffic congestion and public 
safety risk in Hopkinsville. All build alternatives would alleviate 
these existing problems. Federal, State, and local officials; 
conservation groups; and interested businesses, groups, and individuals 
are invited to comment on the DEIS. In order to be considered, comments 
should be received no later than 45 days from the date the 
Environmental Protection Agency publishes this Notice of Availability 
in the Federal Register. Copies of the DEIS may be reviewed at 
Hopkinsville Community College Library Hopkinsville, Kentucky, phone--
(502) 886-3921 and Fort Campbell Library, Building 38, 25th Street, 
Fort Campbell, Kentucky, phone--(502) 431-4827. In addition, a copy of 
the DEIS may be obtained by contacting Mr. Keith Rogan at (502) 625-
7012.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be forwarded to Louisville Army 
Engineer District, ATTN: CEORL-DL-B (Keith Rogan), P.O. Box 59, 
Louisville, KY 40201-0059.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions regarding this proposal may be directed to Mr. Rogan at (502) 
625-7012.

    Dated: October 27, 1995.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (IL&E).
[FR Doc. 95-27170 Filed 11-1-95; 8:45 am]
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