[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 3501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1597]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report 
(FEIS/FEIR) for Proposed Combined-Forces Training Activities, New 
Equipment Utilization, and Range Modernization Program at Camp Roberts 
Army National Guard Training Site, California

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this project is to maximize training 
opportunities for military units that use Camp Roberts. Military units 
need to be able to maintain a high level of training and state of 
readiness to support national defense and state missions in times of 
natural disaster, civil unrest, and other emergencies. Adequate 
training opportunities, with up-to-date equipment, must be available to 
allow them to train for their assigned missions.
    This FEIS/EIR analyzes the proposed action, two alternatives, and 
the no-action alternative. The proposed action consists of three 
components: Combined-forces training with two brigades of personnel and 
associated equipment, new equipment utilization, and a range 
modernization program.
    The combined-forces training component would consist of increasing 
the intensity of training from a typical maximum of approximately 5,300 
soldiers to approximately 10,600 soldiers during an annual training 
period at Camp Roberts. Four new types of equipment would be introduced 
at Camp Roberts as part of the proposed action: The M1 Abrams series of 
tanks would replace the M60 series tanks; Bradley Fighting Vehicles 
would replace the M113 series armored personnel carriers; the Multiple-
Launch Rocket System would replace all but two of the M110 8-inch 
howitzers; and the AH-64 series Apache helicopters would replace the 
Cobra helicopters. The range modernization program component would be 
composed of both upgrading existing ranges and constructing new ranges.
    In addition to the proposed action, the FEIS/EIR evaluates three 
other alternatives: No-Action, New Equipment Utilization and Range 
Modernization Program, and the Peak Training Use of Camp Roberts/Fort 
Hunter Liggett.
    A 45-day public review and comment period was provided for the 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/
EIR). Two public hearings were held in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, 
California, on the DEIS/EIR after the Notice of Availability was 
published. After all the comments were compiled and reviewed, responses 
were prepared to all relevant environmental issues that were raised. 
These responses to comments and/or any new pertinent information were 
incorporated into the DEIS/EIR to constitute the FEIS/EIR. After a 30-
day waiting period on the FEIS/EIR, a Record of Decision will be 
published.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIS/EIR will be mailed to individuals who 
participated in the public scoping process. Copies will also be sent to 
Federal, state, regional, and local agencies; interested organizations 
and agencies; and public libraries. Individuals not currently on the 
mailing list may obtain a copy by request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant Colonel William Parsonage, EIS/EIR Project Officer, Camp 
Roberts Army National Guard Training Site, Camp Roberts, CA, 93451-
5000; telephone (805) 238-8207.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health) OASA (IL&E).
[FR Doc. 97-1597 Filed 1-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M