[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 208 (Wednesday, October 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57671-57672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28885]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) for the Land Exchange Between Fort Benning and the City of 
Columbus, GA

AGENCY: U.S. Army Infantry Center and Fort Benning, Department of the 
Army, DoD.


[[Page 57672]]


ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This announces the availability of the DEIS which assesses the 
potential environmental impacts of the exchange of tracts of land 
between Fort Benning and the City of Columbus (hereafter referred to as 
the City). Section 2829 of Pub. L. 101-510, enacted November 5, 1990, 
authorized a land exchange between the City and Fort Benning. The 
proposed action is to transfer the North Tract (ranging in size from 
2113 acres to 2,760 acres) to the City in exchange for the South Tract, 
which ranges from 2,156 to 2,848 acres.

DATES: The public comments period for the DEIS will end 45 days after 
publication of the NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the DEIS contact the U.S. Army Infantry 
Center, Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Management Division, 
(ATTN: Mr. John Brent), Fort Benning, Georgia 31905-5122, or send e-
mail to B[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding this proposal may 
be directed to Mr. John Brent at (706) 545-4766.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 26, 1996, Fort Benning conveyed 346 
acres to the City for landfill development in exchange for 380 acres, 
as authorized under the same enabling legislation as the currently 
proposed exchange. An Environmental Assessment was prepared pursuant to 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, and a Finding of 
No Significant Impact was prepared for the landfill land exchange. This 
notice of availability pertains only to the proposed North-South Tract 
land exchange DEIS, involving the remaining 2,760 acres of Fort Benning 
land (the North Tract) and 2,848 acres of the City land (the South 
Tract).
    The City intends to use the North Tract land for economic 
development and passive recreation. Fort Benning would use the land it 
receives for dismounted light infantry training.
    The alternative actions considered in this DEIS are:
    a. Alternative I: No-Action. No land would be exchanged under this 
alternative. Impacts associated with the Fort Benning mission and land 
use are evaluated for the North Tract. Impacts associated with the 
City's projected use of the South Tract for industrial development also 
are analyzed.
    b. Alternative II: Minimum Development of North Tract. A North 
Tract of 2,760 acres would be exchanged for a South Tract of 2,848 
acres. This alternative would provide approximately 885 acres of the 
North Tract for economic/light industrial development. Also 
approximately 690 acres of the North Tract would become a Parks and 
Recreation Area near Bull Creek and may be used for wetland mitigation. 
The remaining 1,185 acres of the North Tract would be conservation 
areas. The Army would use the South Tract for dismounted light infantry 
training.
    c. Alternative III: Maximum Development of North Tract. This 
alternative would also include transfer of a North Tract of 2,760 acres 
in exchange for a South Tract of 2,848 acres. Approximately 690 acre 
Parks and Recreation Area near Bull Creek would be established on the 
North Tract and may be used for wetland mitigation. The remaining North 
Tract property (approximately 2,070 acres) would be developable land. 
The Army would use the South Tract for dismounted light infantry 
training.
    d. Alternative IV: Development of the North Tract with Habitat 
Conservation Area (HCA). This alternative would also include transfer 
of a North Tract of 2,760 acres in exchange for a South Tract of 2,848 
acres. An HCA would be established and managed for protected species on 
approximately 708 acres. An approximately 690 acre Parks and Recreation 
Area near Bull Creek would be established on the North Tract and may be 
used for wetland mitigation. The remaining North Tract property 
(approximately 1,362 acres) would be developable. The Army would use 
the South Tract for dismounted light infantry training.
    e. Alternative V (Preferred Alternative): Development of Reduced 
North Tract Without the HCA. This alternative would reduce the North 
Tract to 2,113 acres in exchange for a South Tract of 2,156 acres. Most 
of the area identified for an HCA in Alternative IV would remain with 
Fort Benning. Approximately 690 acre Parks and Recreation Area would be 
established on the North Tract and may be used for wetlands protection, 
leaving approximately 1,423 acres of developable land. The Army would 
use the reduced South Tract for dismounted light infantry training. The 
City would continue timber production on the portion retained from the 
South Tract (692 acres).
    The DEIS includes analyses of the environmental consequences each 
alternative may have on topographical setting and land use, aesthetics, 
air quality and climate, noise, geology and soils, water resources, 
biological resources, cultural resources, human health and safety, 
socioeconomics, infrastructure, hazardous and toxic materials/wastes, 
and environmental justice. The findings indicate that potential 
environmental impacts from each alternative may include changes to land 
use, impacts to biological resources and cultural resources, and 
cumulative impacts to biological resources.
    A public meeting for the purpose of receiving comments on this DEIS 
will be held in Columbus, Georgia. Additional details will follow in 
the media or may be obtained by contacting the Fort Benning Public 
Affairs Office at (706) 545-2211. Public comments received on the DEIS 
will be considered and addressed in the final EIS and considered by the 
Army in its Record of Decision.
    The DEIS and supporting documents are available for public review 
at the following locations: W.C. Bradley Memorial Library, 1120 Bradley 
Drive, Columbus, Georgia; South Lumpkin Library, 2034 South Lumpkin 
Road, Columbus, Georgia; Sawyers Library, Building 93, Fort Benning, 
Georgia; Simon Schwob Memorial Library, Columbus State University, 4225 
University Avenue, Columbus, Georgia; Columbus Chamber of Commerce, 901 
Front Street, Columbus, Georgia; and Columbus Government Center Tower, 
Columbus, Georgia.

    Dated: October 23, 1998.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 98-28885 Filed 10-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M