[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10365-10366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5428]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for 
Final Site Selection and Authorization for Implementation of the 
Proposed G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Range, Camp Shelby Training Site, Camp 
Shelby, Mississippi

AGENCIES: National Guard Bureau, Department of the Army, DOD; U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In the July 1994 Military Use of Forest Service Lands Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery 
Range is referred to as the Multiple Purpose Range Complex-Heavy (MPRC-
H). Any reference to the MPRC-H in this or other documents refers to 
the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Range. The July 1994 FEIS and Record of 
Decision provided an environmental analysis in support of the issuance 
of a special use permit for continued military use of Forest Service 
lands in De Soto National Forest. The FEIS recognized that military use 
of Forest Service lands included construction of an MPRC-H within the 
Camp Shelby complex, although it did not specify the location. This 
FSEIS document contains the site-specific environmental analysis 
concerning the proposed location and alternatives on Camp Shelby for 
MPRC-H construction.
    The G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Range is a standard Army gunnery range 
which has three maneuver avenues with two course roads per avenue. Only 
non-dud producing (or ``nonexplosive'') ammunition will be fired within 
the target array. The range has a maximum of 270 targets that can be 
engaged with either live fire or the Multiple Integrated Laser 
Engagement System (MILES). The proposed range facility would allow 
armor and mechanized infantry units to fulfill all their gunnery 
requirements on an annual basis. The proposed project would consist of 
the range operation and control area, the downrange area, and the 
vehicle holding and maintenance area. The range operation and control 
area is the center of responsibility for overall control and 
coordination of movement and training exercises within the complex and 
is also the administrative center for the range complex. Range support 
facilities in this area may include the control tower, general 
instruction buildings, personnel and storage buildings, target 
maintenance building, latrines, covered mess, covered bleachers, and 
lysterbag holder. Also, an ammunition loading/unloading dock for armor 
munitions and an ammunition breakdown shelter for infantry should be 
provided (Huntsville Multiple Purpose Range Complex-Heavy Design 
information Guide).
    The downrange area consists of three 4,500-meter by 300-meter 
lanes, each separated by a 50-meter buffer zone, and a 1- to 2-acre 
vehicle holding and

[[Page 10366]]

maintenance area that contains a 100-square-meter hardstand.
    The proposed G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Range supports collective 
training at the platoon and lower levels. Units using the proposed 
range complex will include tanks, infantry/cavalry fighting vehicles 
and attack helicopters. This advanced training develops collective 
skills at the small unit level. It requires sections and platoons to 
employ moving and stationary target engagement techniques with all 
weapon systems during daylight and periods of limited visibility.
    The lack of an MPRC-H at Camp Shelby was noted in the Department of 
Defense response to a Government Accounting Office report, ``Peacetime 
Training Did Not Adequately Prepare Combat Brigades for Gulf War,'' 
dated September 1991. The Army National Guard considers construction of 
this range complex vital to the training and combat readiness of the 
armor and mechanized infantry units that train at Camp Shelby. The 
proposed range complex will enhance the training capabilities and 
efficiencies at Camp Shelby by providing for simultaneous utilization 
of tank gunnery ranges and tank maneuver areas. It will permit more 
tanks to complete fire requirements simultaneously, leading to more 
efficient and effective utilization of training facilities at Camp 
Shelby.
    A 45-day public review and comment period was provided for the 
Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS). Two public 
meetings were conducted in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on the DSEIS after 
the Notice of Availability was published. After all 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 DSEIS to 
constitute the FSEIS.

DATES: The public review period for this FEIS ends 30 days after the 
date of publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of 
Availability in the Federal Register. After the 30-day waiting period 
on the FSEIS has ended, a Record of Decision will be published.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FSEIS will be mailed to individuals who 
participated in the public scoping process. 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 by request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Colonel Tim Powell, Public 
Affairs Office, Mississippi Army National Guard, PO. Box 5027, Jackson 
Mississippi 39296-5027, telephone (601) 973-62710, facsimile extension 
6176.

    Dated: February 25, 1998.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I, L&E).
[FR Doc. 98-5428 Filed 3-2-98; 8:45 am]
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