[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 131 (Wednesday, July 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 36777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17855]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement for Disposal and Reuse of Airfield at Griffiss Air Force 
Base, NY

    The United States Air Force is issuing this notice to advise the 
public it will prepare a supplement to an existing Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS), ``Final EIS, Disposal and Reuse of Griffiss AFB, New 
York, November 1995,'' which was prepared in accordance with the 1993 
Base Closure Commission's recommendation. These recommendations 
included the retention of several Air Force and DOD functions at the 
base, including the continued operation of the airfield at a minimum 
level to support the U.S. Army 10th Infantry Light Division 
at Fort Drum, New York.
    In 1995, a newly appointed Base Closure Commission reevaluated the 
1993 Base Closure Commission's decision, recommending closure of the 
airfield as it was determined that the airfield at Fort Drum could meet 
the needs of the U.S. Army's 10th Infantry Light Division. 
The Air Force will fulfill its responsibilities under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by preparing a supplement to the 
existing EIS. The Supplemental EIS will address the potential 
environmental impacts of disposing of the property to public or private 
entities. All reasonable alternatives, including the no-action 
alternative (defined as closure of the airfield, but without property 
disposal taking place), will be examined. It will also examine possible 
cumulative effects of proposed reuse in concert with disposal proposals 
under the 1993 disposal EIS.
    A scoping meeting will be held in Rome, New York, on July 29, 1997, 
starting at 5:00 p.m. It will be held at the Plumley Complex 
Auditorium, Mohawk Valley Community College-Rome Campus, on Floyd 
Avenue. It provides a forum for public officials and the community to 
provide the Air Force with information and comments. It also assists 
the Air Force in identifying issues that need to be assessed and 
discussed in the Supplemental EIS. The Air Force will discuss the 
proposal to dispose of the airfield at Griffiss Air Force Base, 
describe the Supplemental EIS process, and ask for help in identifying 
alternative uses for the airfield and any significant environmental 
impacts that may result from its disposal. In soliciting alternatives, 
the Air Force will consider all reasonable alternatives offered by any 
federal, state, or local government agency, or any federally-sponsored 
or private entity or individual. The overall scoping process will 
extend to September 30, 1997. The resulting Final Supplemental EIS will 
be considered in making disposal decision, if any, that will be 
documented in the Air Force's Record of Decision.
    To ensure sufficient time to adequately consider public comments 
concerning environmental issues and alternatives to be included in the 
Supplemental EIS, the Air Force recommends comments and reuse proposals 
be presented at the upcoming scoping meeting or forwarded to the 
address listed below at the earliest possible date. The Air Force will, 
however, accept additional comments at any time during the 
environmental impact analysis process.
    Please direct written comments or requests for further information 
concerning the Supplemental EIS for disposal and reuse of the airfield 
at Griffiss Air Force Base to: Jonathan D. Farthing, HQ AFCEE/ECA, 3207 
North Road, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas 78235-5363, (210) 536-5649.
Barbara A. Carmichael,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-17855 Filed 7-8-97; 8:45 am]
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