[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 30314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14462]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Western Army 
National Guard Aviation Training Site (WAATS) Proposed Expansion

LEAD AGENCIES: National Guard Bureau, Department of the Army; 
Department of the Air Force, DoD.

COOPERATING AGENCY: Federal Bureau of Land Management, Department of 
the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Expansions to existing training areas and facilities at the 
WAATS are for the purpose of enhancing readiness and training of 
National Guard aviation units, improving training safety, constructing 
facilities to meet training demands, and complying with environmental 
requirements.
    This document addresses the environmental impacts of the proposed 
actions, reasonable alternatives and the impact upon Guard readiness of 
taking no action. The proposed action and each alternative action 
consist of three essential components: (1) Increase the size of the 
original Tactical Flight Training Area (TFTA) to improve training, 
enhance training safety through reduced training congestion, allowing 
limited ground training support activities, and to reduce noise and 
environmental impacts through closing some parts of the existing TFTA; 
(2) increase the number of helicopter gunnery training operations 
through construction of new ranges or modification to existing ranges; 
and (3) construct new facilities for housing, training, maintenance and 
to comply with changing environmental requirements. A 45-day public 
review and comment period was provided for the Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (DEIS). The Arizona National Guard WAATS conducted six 
public hearings to discuss concerns and comments on the DEIS. Public 
hearings were held in locations throughout the project area. Specific 
locations, dates and times were announced through letters to those on 
the project mailing list and to others through notices, display 
advertisements and Legal Notices in general circulation newspapers. 
After 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 Draft EIS to constitute the FEIS. After a 30-day waiting period on 
the FEIS, a Record of Decision will be published.

COPIES: Copies of the FEIS Executive Summary will be mailed to 
individuals who participated in the public scoping process. Copies of 
the entire FEIS may be requested from the Project Officer listed below. 
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 on 
request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FEIS Project Officer, Lieutenant 
Colonel Richard Murphy, Deputy Commander, Western Army National Guard 
Aviation Training Site, Building 145-500, Pinal Air Park, Marana, 
Arizona 85653-9598; (520) 682-4590.

    Dated: May 28, 1997.
Richard E. Newsome,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health), OASA (I, L&E).
[FR Doc. 97-14462 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M