[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 99 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 28374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13723]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Environmental Assessment and Finding of no Significant Impact for 
the Realignment of Missions and Personnel at Fort Meade, Maryland

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Public Law 101-510, the Defense Base 
Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, the Defense Base Closure and 
Realignment Commission recommended relocating the Defense Investigative 
Service (DIS) from Fort Holabird, Maryland, to a new facility to be 
built on Fort Meade, Maryland, and closing the leased space at Crown 
Ridge in Fairfax County, Virginia, and relocating the Information 
Systems Software Center (ISSC) to Fort Meade. ISSC has two component 
elements, the Software Development Center-Washington (SDC-W) and the 
Executive Software Systems Directorate (ESSD). The Commission also 
recommended realigning Fort Meade by eliminating inpatient services at 
Kimbrough Army Community Hospital (KACH) and reducing the facility to a 
clinic and outpatient surgical center.
    An Environmental Assessment (EA) examined the proposed transfer of 
personnel and missions to 445 civilian and 67 military positions and 
Form 71 civilian and 57 military positions at Fort Meade, Maryland. 
Plans for relocation include construction of a new facility for the DIS 
in the Central Administrative Area and renovation of a portion of 
Pershing Hall to house the ISSC elements of SDC-W and ESSD. This allows 
for construction of DIS in a developed area and collocates the two ISSC 
functions in the same building, enhancing mission effectiveness.
    No significant adverse impacts are anticipated from any of the 
alternatives analyzed in the EA. All of the alternatives, including the 
Army's preferred alternative, could result in some minor adverse 
impacts that can be avoided or minimized. Minor adverse impacts may 
occur in the areas of noise, stormwater, soil, traffic and 
transportation, and asbestos and lead-based paint management. Noise 
will be minimized by limiting construction hours. Stormwater and soil 
erosion control plans will minimize impacts to water resources. 
Asbestos and lead-based paint, if encountered during renovation, will 
be removed, encapsulated, or disposed of in accordance with all 
applicable laws. Additionally, the Fort Meade Transportation Master 
Plan will reduce impacts on traffic. Unsuitable soil, wetlands and 
cultural resources are present only on the DIS Alternative B site and 
would be avoided if that site were selected. Section 106 consultation 
with the Maryland State Historic Preservation Office has been completed 
for the preferred alternative sites.
    Therefore, based on the analysis found in EA, which was 
incorporated into the Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI), it has 
been determined that implementation of the proposed action will not 
have significant individual or cumulative impacts on the quality of the 
natural or the human environment. Because no significant environmental 
impacts will result from implementation of the proposed action, an 
Environmental Impact Statement is not required and will not be 
prepared.

DATES: Public comments must be submitted on or before June 22, 1998. 
The Army will not initiate the proposed action for 30 days following 
completion of the EA and publication of this Notice of Availability.

ADDRESSES: Individuals wishing to review the EA may obtain a copy and 
may provide comments during this 30-day period by writing to the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: Ms. Maria de la Torre (CENAB-PL-E), P.O. 
Box 1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715 or by sending a telefax to 
(410) 962-4698. Individuals wishing to review the EA may examine a copy 
at the following locations: Fort George G. Meade Library, Building 
4418, Fort Meade, Maryland; and the Provinces Library, 2624 Annapolis 
Road, Severn, Maryland.

    Dated: May 14, 1998.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 98-13723 Filed 5-21-98; 8:45 am]
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