[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 97 (Thursday, May 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 31534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12584]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the Northern Training Complex With a Multi-Purpose Digital 
Training Range and Expanded Maneuver Areas, Drop Zones, and Landing 
Zones at Fort Knox, KY

AGENCY: U.S. Army Armor Center and Fort Knox, Department of the Army.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Fort Knox proposes to construct and operate a multi-purpose 
digital training range and a series of maneuver areas, drop zones and 
landing zones. These facilities would provide a multi-functional war-
fighting capability to meet the Army's training needs for soldiers in 
urban and restricted terrain combat scenarios. These facilities would 
upgrade existing substandard range facilities and expand the 
installation's training capacity to train Armor soldiers in a realistic 
training environment for urban and restricted terrain combat. The 
current facilities do not meet modern tank gunnery standards and are 
inadequate to support training for regional conflicts in urban and 
restricted areas. The project would include the installation of fiber 
optics, upgrading of existing roadways and construction of utilities to 
the site. The proposed training complex would ensure soldiers are 
combat ready.

ADDRESSES: Please direct written comments concerning the scope of the 
Northern Training Complex to:

Al Freeland, Chief, Environmental Management Division, Directorate of 
Base Operations Support, U.S. Army Armor Center, ATTN: ATZK-OSE, 
Building 1110, Room 216, Ironsides & 6th Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40121-
5000;
      or
Gail Pollock, Environmental Protection Specialist, at the same address; 
by fax at (502) 624-3000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Al Freeland at (502) 624-3629 or Gail 
Pollock at (502) 624-6684.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EIS will consider reasonable 
alternatives including: (1) Construct the Northern Training Complex 
that includes the Wilcox Multi-Purpose Digital Training Range (Wilcox 
MPDTR) and the Maneuver Areas, Drop Zones, and Landing Zones in 
Training Areas 16, 17, and 18 (Training Area Complex) (preferred 
alternative); (2) upgrade Yano Multi-Purpose Tank Range to a Digital 
Range and construct Maneuver Areas, Drop Zones, and landing Zones in 
Training Areas 16, 17, and 18; (3) upgrade Cedar Creek Multi-Purpose 
Tank Range to a Digital Range and construct Maneuver Areas, Drop Zones, 
and Landing Zones in Training Areas 16, 17, and 18; and (4) no action 
(continue operations with existing ranges and facilities). Other 
reasonable alternatives will also be considered.
    Significant Issues: The primary issues to be analyzed in this EIS 
include: Noise (aircraft/range firing), impacts to wetlands and 
riparian areas, removal of approximately 2,500 acres of forests, soil 
erosion, water quality, endangered species, cultural resources, and 
other issues raised during public scoping.
    Scoping: The Army prepared Draft Environmental Assessments for the 
Wilcox Multi-Purpose Digital Tank Range and the Training Area 16, 17 
and 18 Maneuver/Drop Zones and Landing Zones. The Environmental 
Assessments resulted in a determination to prepare an EIS to encompass 
all areas affected within the proposed Northern Training Complex.
    A mailing list has been prepared for public scoping and review 
throughout the process of preparation of this EIS. This list includes 
local, state and Federal officials having jurisdictional expertise or 
other interests in the project; concerned citizens; conservation 
groups; and local news media.
    Comments concerning the scope of the EIS may also be emailed to Ms. 
Gail Pollock at emph3.army.mil">pollockl@ftknox-emph3.army.mil.

    Dated: May 15, 2000.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I&E).
[FR Doc. 00-12584 Filed 5-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M