[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 46 (Monday, March 10, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 10829-10830] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-5862] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Supplemental Environmental Assessment and Finding of no Significant Impact for the Relocation of the 1111th Signal Battalion, The 1108th Signal Brigade, Information Systems Engineering Command- Conus Elements, and Related Units (MP Company) and Discretionary Moves of Technical Applications Office and Information Mission Area BRAC Office From Fort Ritchie, Maryland, to Fort Detrick, Maryland AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with Public Law 101-510, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission recommended the relocation of the 1111th Signal Battalion, the 1108th Signal Brigade, a portion of the Information Systems Engineering Command-CONUS, and associated Base Operations support personnel from Fort Ritchie, Maryland, to Fort Detrick, Maryland. The Army will also relocate the Technical Applications Office (TAO) and the Information Mission Area Base Realignment and Closure Office (IMA BRAC Office) to Fort Detrick, Maryland, pursuant to this recommendation. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared in June 1996 resulting in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI). Since that EA was prepared, the number of personnel affected by the realignment has changed slightly for a net increase of 17 personnel (1,164 total). Additionally, several new construction projects have been added including a military police company operations building; a separate storage facility as an addition to the administration building described in the June 1996 EA; a physical fitness center; and a proposed dining facility. Also, renovations to existing facilities will accommodate the TAO secure administration space and administrative space for the IMA BRACO. These changes resulted in the need for this supplemental EA. The supplemental EA identified no significant adverse environmental impacts. There is a potential for only minor or insignificant impacts in the areas of noise, water quality, stormwater, geology, soil, asbestos management, radon management, and visual and aesthetic values. Minor adverse impacts will be avoided by implementing best management practices during construction, such as a stormwater management plan and a soil erosion control plan and by restricting construction to the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Potential asbestos, lead-based paint, or radon impacts will be mitigated by conducting the proper testing before renovation (for asbestos and lead-based paint) or after construction (for radon) and taking mitigation actions as necessary. Geology and soil impacts will be avoided by conducting geotechnical studies before site development. Visual impacts will be avoided by grading and landscaping the construction sites that may be visible from the Nallin Farm complex and by turning off the lights on the physical fitness center playing fields by 10 p.m. Therefore, based on the analysis found in the supplemental EA, which is hereby incorporated into the Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI), it is determined the implementation of the proposed action will not have significant individual or cumulative impacts on the quality of the natural or the human environment. Because no significant environmental impacts would result from implementation of the proposed action, an Environmental Impact Statement is not required and will not be prepared. DATES: Public comments will be accepted on or before April 9, 1997. ADDRESSES: Copies of the supplemental EA/FNSI may be obtained by writing to, and any inquiries and comments concerning the same should be addressed to, the Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, ATTN: CENAB-PL-EM (Ms. Elizabeth Quarrick), P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715, or by calling (410) 962-2886, or by sending a telefax to 410-962-4698. Copies of the supplemental EA/FNSI will also be available at the Fort Detrick Post Library [[Page 10830]] (Building 501) and the Fort Detrick U.S. Army Garrison Headquarters Public Affairs Office (Building 810). There will be a 30-day comment period on the supplemental EA/FNSI before the Army proceeds with the proposed action. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Quarrick at 410-962-2886. Dated: March 4, 1997. Raymond J. Fatz, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and Occupational Health) OASA (I,L&E). [FR Doc. 97-5862 Filed 3-7-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-08-M