[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 15470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8194]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Continued Use of the Pinecastle Target Range, Ocala National 
Forest, Marion County, Florida

SUMMARY: Per Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 as implemented in the Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy 
announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for the Continued Use of the Pinecastle Target Range, Ocala National 
Forest, Marion County, Florida. The U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) Forest Service is a cooperating agency in the preparation of the 
EIS.
    The 5,825-acre range, located on USDA Forest Service property in 
the Ocala National Forest, is operated by the Navy under a special use 
agreement from the USDA Forest Service. The agreement expires December 
31, 1999, and the EIS will examine environmental impacts resulting from 
renewal of the agreement.
    The objective of the EIS is to describe the existing conditions at 
the range, describe the alternatives for reuse or closure of the range, 
and evaluate the environmental impacts from various renewal or closure 
alternatives. A biological assessment and Section 7 consultation 
pursuant to the Endangered Species Act are being completed. 
Environmental issues that will be addressed in the EIS include air 
quality, water quality, noise, safety, wetland impacts, endangered 
species impacts, cultural resources impacts, and socioeconomic impacts.
    The Navy will hold two scoping meetings to solicit input on 
significant issues that should be addressed in the EIS. The first 
meeting will be held on Thursday, April 17, 1997, from 5:00 p.m. until 
9:00 p.m. at the Umatilla Community Center, 1 South Central Avenue, 
Umatilla, FL. The second meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 
1997, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Ocala City Auditorium, 836 
N.E. Sanchez Avenue, Ocala, FL. Navy representatives will accept 
comments from members of the public at the meeting. It is important 
that Federal, state, local agencies, and interested individuals take 
this opportunity to identify environmental concerns that should be 
addressed in the EIS.

ADDRESSES: Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide written 
comments in addition to, or, in lieu of, oral comments at the scoping 
meeting. To be most helpful, comments should clearly describe specific 
issues or topics which the EIS should address. Written comments must be 
postmarked by May 29, 1997 and should be mailed to Commanding Officer, 
Southern Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, P.O. Box 
190010, North Charleston, South Carolina 29419-9010 (Attn: Mr. Tom 
Burst, Code 064TB). Written comments may be submitted to Mr. Burst via 
facsimile at (803) 820-7472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tom Burst at (803) 820-5590.

    Dated: March 27, 1997.
M.A. Waters,
LCDR, JAGC, USN, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-8194 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]
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