[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 17, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 66265] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-31893] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Improved Ordnance Storage at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102 (2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), the Marine Corps announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the environmental effects of improving ordnance storage at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma. MCAS Yuma is located in the southwestern corner of Arizona near both the California border and the international border with Mexico. Current ordnance storage at MCAS Yuma is limited by the size and location of the station's existing ordnance storage magazines. The proposed action is to purchase 1,641 acres of land adjacent to the southern boundary of MCAS Yuma and construct new ordnance storage facilities. Alternatives being considered include: constructing new ordnance storage facilities in the vicinity of existing ordnance storage facilities; constructing new ordnance storage facilities on the nearby Barry M. Goldwater U.S. Air Force Range (BMGR) and transporting ordnance over public roads to MCAS Yuma as required; constructing a complete outlying landing field with ordnance storage magazines at Auxiliary Airfield 2 in the BMGR; and continuing to use the existing ordnance storage area with no expansion (No Action). Additional alternatives may be identified during the scoping period and included in the EIS. Environmental issues to be addressed in the EIS include: socioeconomics, geology and soils, biological resources, water resources, noise, air quality, land use, cultural resources, transportation/circulation, public health and safety, and utilities. ADDRESSES: The Marine Corps will initiate a scoping process for the purpose of determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying significant issues relative to this action. The Marine Corps will hold public scoping meetings at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 1996, and at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 1996. Both meetings will be held at the Best Western Chilton Inn and Conference Center, located at 300 East 32nd Street in Yuma, Arizona. A formal presentation will precede public testimony. Marine Corps representatives will be available at the scoping meetings to receive comments from the public. It is important that federal, state, and local agencies, as well as interested individuals, take this opportunity to identify environmental concerns that should be addressed during preparation of the EIS. In the interest of available time, each speaker will be asked to limit their oral comments to five minutes. Agencies and the public are also invited and encouraged to provide written comments in addition, or in lieu of, oral comments at the public meetings. To be most helpful, scoping comments should clearly describe specific issues or topics that the EIS should address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Written statements and/or questions regarding the scoping process should be mailed no later than January 31, 1996, to: Ms. Christine Bates, Environmental Planner; Box 99110; MCAS Yuma; Yuma, AZ 85369-9110. Questions or requests for information regarding the proposed action may also be directed to Ms. Bates at that address. Dated: December 11, 1996. Donald E. Koenig, Jr., LCDR, JAGC, U.S. NAVY, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 96-31893 Filed 12-16-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P