[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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