[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62176-62177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29794]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Release of the Notice of Availability on the Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (DEIS) on the Disposal and Reuse of Oakland Army Base, 
Oakland, California

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This DEIS was prepared by the Army in compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the President's 
Council on Environmental Quality. The closure of Oakland Army Base 
(OARB), Oakland, California, was mandated in accordance with the 
recommendations of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 
1990, Public Law 101-510, as amended (the ``BRAC law'').

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

ADDRESSES: Questions and/or written comments regarding the DEIS, or a 
request for a copy of the document may be directed to: Dr. Robert 
Koenigs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Engineer District, 
Sacramento, 1325 `J' Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robert Koenigs at (916) 557-6712 
or by facsimile at (916) 557-6856.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS analyzes three alternative courses 
of action with respect to the disposal and

[[Page 62177]]

subsequent reuse of the 422 acres (368 land acres and 54 submerged land 
acres) comprising OARB: (1) The no action alternative, under which the 
property would be maintained in a caretaker status after closure; (2) 
the unencumbered alternative, under which the Army would transfer the 
property without encumbrances, such as environmental restrictions and 
easements; and (3) the encumbered disposal alternative, under which the 
Army would transfer the property with various environmental 
restrictions and easements, limiting the future use of the property. 
Additionally, this DEIS analyzes the potential environmental and 
socioeconomic consequences of six community reuse alternatives: (1) Low 
intensity reuse alternative; (2) low-medium intensity reuse 
alternative; (3) medium intensity reuse alternative; (4) medium-high 
intensity reuse alternative; (5) high intensity reuse alternative; and 
(6) very high intensity reuse alternative.
    The DEIS concludes the no action alternative is not reasonable 
since the closure of OARB is mandated by BRAC law, and the Army has no 
requirement to retain the property. The DEIS also concludes that the 
unencumbered disposal alternative is not feasible given environmental 
conditions and legal requirements.
    The Army's preferred alternative course of action is the encumbered 
disposal of excess property. Possible encumbrances include: covenants 
and restrictions pertaining to asbestos-containing material; lead-based 
paint; flood plains; future remedial activities after transfer; 
wetlands and easements; and rights-of-way.
    Community reuse of OARB property is analyzed in the DEIS as a 
secondary action resulting from closure and disposal by the Army. While 
the Army does not control the community's reuse of the property, under 
NEPA, the army is required to analyze the reasonably foreseeable 
impacts of its disposal action. The local community has established the 
Oakland Base Reuse Authority (OBRA) to develop and implement a reuse 
plan for the installation. Approval and implementation of the reuse 
plan are within the discretion of the OBRA.
    A public meeting will be held during the 45-day DEIS comment period 
to afford the public the opportunity to provide oral and written 
comments on the DEIS. The location and time of the meeting will be 
announced in local newspapers at least 15 days prior to the meeting. 
Verbal comments made at the public meeting and written comments 
received during the comment period will be used in the preparation of 
the Final EIS and Record of Decision.
    Copies of the DEIS have been forwarded to the EPA, other Federal, 
state, and local agencies; public officials; and organizations and 
individuals who previously provided substantive comments in the EIS 
scoping process. Copies of the DEIS are available for review at the 
following libraries: The Oakland Library-Main Branch, 125 14th Street, 
Oakland, CA 94612; and the Oakland Library-West Branch, 1801 Adeline 
Street, Oakland, CA 94607.

    Dated: November 9, 1999.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) ASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 99-29794 Filed 11-15-99; 8:45 am]
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