[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 42 (Thursday, March 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11292-11293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5082]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Intent (NOI) To Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Future Development and Operations at Fort Meade, MD

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, announces its 
intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will 
address the future development and operations of Fort Meade's Real 
Property Master Plan (RPMP) for the Years 2000-2004. The planned 
projects which will occur during this time include the following: 
construction of new facilities that will consolidate tenants from 
dilapidated World War II structures and off post leased facilities into 
more cost efficient and effective facilities, demolition and 
construction of barracks and mess halls and providing on post 
development opportunities for tenants on installations that are 
currently faced with Base Realignment and Closure. It is the purpose of 
this EIS to further assess the impacts, most specifically to air and 
traffic, that were identified in the Environmental Assessment entitled 
``Future Development and Operations Environmental Assessment'' dated 
April 1999.

ADDRESSES: Questions or written comments may be forwarded to the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, Planning Division, 
Planning and Environmental Services Branch (Attn: Ft. Meade EIS), 10 
South Howard Street, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715, 
Telephone (410) 962-4939.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jim Gebhardt, Environmental 
Engineer, Directorate of Public Works Environmental Management Office, 
at (301) 677-9365.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Fort Meade RPMP has the potential to 
significantly impact certain natural, economic, social and cultural 
resources of the Fort Meade community. The objective is to prepare a 
comprehensive EIS which will serve as a planning tool, a public 
information source and a reference for mitigation tracking.
    Alternatives may consist of alternate locations for specific 
projects, partial implementation of the specific project or 
modifications to the specific project. The alternatives will be 
developed during the preparation of the Draft EIS (DEIS) as a result of 
public input and the environmental analysis of the proposals within the 
plan. The objective Fort Meade's DEIS is to identify and evaluate any 
environmental implications that may result from developing the Master 
Plan. The DEIS will describe the impacts of existing environmental, 
cultural and natural resources, social, economic and environmental 
justice conditions associated with the proposed projects at Fort Meade.
    The Army will initiate a scoping process to discuss significant 
issues related to the DEIS through public meetings and local 
publications. These efforts are designed to encourage public

[[Page 11293]]

input that will inevitably help determine and better define the 
underlying issues of the DEIS. Planned public meetings will be 
announced through local publications and online Internet access in 
advance of any proposed action, announcing meeting time and location.
    A public meeting will be held on Fort Meade to facilitate input to 
the EIS process by citizens and organizations. The date and time of 
these meetings will be announced in the general media and will be at 
times and locations convenient to the public. To be considered in the 
Draft EIS, comments and suggestions should be received not later than 
15 days following the public scoping meeting.
    Significant issues: Within Fort Meade's boundaries lie numerous 
historic and prehistoric sites that were identified through the 
Cultural Resources Management Plan. Fort Meade also maintains 
historically significant structures which are eligible for inclusion on 
the National Register and may be directly affected by the actions 
proposed in the long range Master Plan. Equally important is the impact 
Fort Meade has on the Chesapeake Bay and the crucial role it plays in 
maintaining and protecting which is considered one of the world's most 
diverse ecosystems. Fort Meade is also home to eleven State Endangered 
Species, including the Glassy Darter which is one of only two locations 
in the State of Maryland where the fish is known to exist.

    Dated: February 24, 2000.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 00-5082 Filed 3-1-00; 8:45 am]
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