[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 116 (Friday, June 14, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 30228-30229] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-15136] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for: Headquarters, U.S. Army Field Artillery Center and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, OK AGENCY: U.S. Army, Fort Sill, OK. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The purpose of this project is to identify and evaluate the environmental impacts associated with implementation of the Real Property Master Plan (RPMP) for the U.S. Army Field Artillery Center and Fort Sill (USAFACFS). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Written comments may be forwarded to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CESWT-PL-R (J. Randolph), P.O. Box 61, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74121-0061. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The most recent environmental documatation prepared under the guidelines set forth by the National Environmental Policy (NEPA) for Fort Sill activities, including the Master Plan, was the Fort Sill Ongoing Mission EIS completed in September 1978. Since then several changes in legislation, program activities, and missions have occurred. The Fort Sill Master Plan, now referred to as the Fort Sill Real Property Master Plan (RPMP), has become increasingly complex and diverse. Based upon this complexity and diversity of the RPMP, the nature of the activities conducted in the implementation of the RPMP, and its potential to have significant impacts on certain natural, economic, social, and cultural resources of the Fort Sill community, it has been determined that an EIS should be prepared for the RPMP. The study area for environmental concerns will be the entire Fort Sill installation. The objective is to provide a comprehensive and programmatic EIS which is a complete, objective appraisal of the environmental impact of the installation's RPMP. The purpose of the RPMP EIS is to serve as a planning document for managing activities at the installation by the commanders, Installation Planning Board, Master Planning Office, Directorate of Environmental Quality, and others; a source of public information, and as a reference for mitigation tracking. [[Page 30229]] Alternatives 1. No-Action Alternative: Whereby, only those RPMP projects that are currently on-going or funded will be completed. 2. Action Alternative 1: Whereby, only those RPMP projects that are considered to have a ``high probability'' of receiving funding, in addition to those currently ongoing or funded, will be completed. 3. Action Alternative 2: Whereby, all the projects of the RPMP will be completed. Significant Issues The Fort Sill reservation contains approximately 94,221 acres of land. Some of this land serves as habitat for protected species of wildlife. Of the areas within the installation that have been surveyed to date for cultural resource properties, 832 properties have been identified and recorded. Nearly all of the current and proposed RPMP projects and sited within the 6,015 acre cantonment area, where the majority of the installation historic buildings are located. List of Affected Parties A mailing list has been developed for various notices concerning the preparation of this EIS. This list includes local, state, and federal officials having jurisdiction expertise, or other interests in the action: environmental interest groups, and local news media. Scoping Comments received as a result of this Notice of Intent will be used to assist the Army in identifying potential impacts to the quality of human and natural environments. Individuals or organizations may participate in the scoping process by written comment or by attending a scoping meeting. The time and location of the scoping meeting will be announced in the Lawton Constitution and by public notice sent to parties indicated in the previous paragraph. To be considered in the Draft EIS, comments and suggestions should be received no later than 15 days following the public scoping meeting. Questions regarding this proposal may be directed to Mr. Jim Randolph at the above address or phone (918) 669-7191. Gregory D. Showalter, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 96-15136 Filed 6-13-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-08-M