[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 203 (Friday, October 18, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54420-54421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26774]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FNSI) for Disposal and Reuse of Defense Personnel Support Center, 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The proposed action analyzed by this document is the disposal 
and reuse of the Defense Personnel Support Center (DPSC), Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania. The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, 
Public Law 101-510, required the closing of DPSC and the realignment of 
essential missions to other installations. The purpose of the 
Environmental Assessment (EA) is to identify and evaluate the 
anticipated effects of disposal by the Army and reuse of DPSC by non-
Army entities.
    The EA studied in detail three possible alternatives for complying 
with the recommendation to dispose of DPSC made by the Defense 
Secretary's Commission on Base Realignment and Closure. These 
alternatives included: no action; encumbered disposal in which the Army 
would identify and impose reuse constraints on future owners; and 
unencumbered disposal where potential encumbrances would be identified 
and removed by the Army prior to disposal of the property. The EA found 
that encumbered disposal of DPSC is the most desirable course of action 
to

[[Page 54421]]

comply with the Commission recommendation. Encumbered disposal of the 
site would also allow the Army to return surplus capacity to public or 
private use.
    However, encumbered disposal of the DPSC would result in the Army 
imposing reuse constraints on future owners. For example, special 
easements would be required to maintain access to groundwater-
monitoring wells, access for testing and inspection for environmental 
remediation, and access to conduct maintenance on parcels not yet 
disposed. In addition, special-use restrictions would prohibit entry 
into or interference with remedial operation and maintenance facilities 
or may permanently restrict certain uses of the property. Finally, 
property sale or transfer covenants may require a new owner to maintain 
significant historic buildings.
    Additional constraints may be identified during future 
investigations of the property. These constraints would be identified 
and imposed by the Army at the time of deed transfer. Currently, the 
facility is in compliance with all applicable federal environmental 
statutes and executive orders.
    The unencumbered alternative involves transfer without constraints 
such as easements or mitigation measures. Under this method of 
disposal, the Army would remove any constraints that could feasibly be 
removed before the transfer occurs. The removal of encumbrances before 
transfer could be costly and delay transfer.
    Implementation of the no-action alternative would perpetuate 
maintenance costs incurred by the Army by requiring the Army to retain 
the property. Additionally, no remedial actions would be taken for 
known contaminants on the site.
    The EA results in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI); 
therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required for 
encumbered disposal of the DPSC.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 18, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to comment may obtain a copy of the EA or 
inquire regarding the FNSI by writing to Mr. Jerry Jones, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CESAM-PD-EI, 109 St. Joseph Street, P.O. Box 
2288, Mobile, Alabama 36628-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions regarding this FNSI may be directed to the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, ATTN: Mr. Jerry Jones, at (334) 690-2725.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I, L&E).
[FR Doc. 96-26774 Filed 10-17-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M