[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41573-41574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19842]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Future 
Development and Operations at Fort George G. Meade, MD

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This announces the availability of the FEIS that assesses the 
effects of future development and operations at Fort Meade on the 
natural and human environment.
    The Proposed Action is the preferred alternative of the FEIS, and 
includes future development and operations of Fort Meade's Real 
Property Master Plan expected to occur on the installation between 2001 
and 2005. The Proposed Action identifies 11 projects as being 
representative of the expected build out during this time. These 
consist of constructing new facilities that would consolidate tenants 
from dilapidated World War II structures and off-post leased facilities 
into more cost efficient and effective facilities; and demolition and 
construction of barracks and associated dining, headquarters and 
operations facilities. Other alternatives considered by the FEIS 
include the No Action Alternative and Alternative A. The No Action 
Alternative is defined as the normal daily operations at Fort Meade and 
adjacent areas as of 1999. Alternative A consists of constructing 9 of 
11 projects purposed by the Proposed Action, and excludes the 2 out-
year projects least likely to occur.

DATES: Written comments received within 30 days of the publication of 
this Notice of Availability by the Environmental Protection Agency in 
the Federal Register for this action will be considered by the Army 
during final decision making.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the FEIS, write to Commander, Fort 
George G. Meade, ATTN: ANME-PWE (Mr. Jim Gebhardt), Bldg. 239, 2\1/2\ 
Street and Ross Road, Fort Meade, Maryland 20755-5115.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FEIS concluded that the cumulative 
impacts of all past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions 
would have a significant impact on traffic and air quality in the study 
area. Whereas the population in the area immediately surrounding Fort 
Meade is expected to continue its historical growth rate, this rate is 
minimal compared to the growth in population and activity in the Region 
of Influence (Anne Arundel and Howard Counties), which is expected to 
exceed the average annual rate in Maryland of 0.6 percent. The 
Government concludes that the contribution of Fort Meade is small 
relative to the regional air quality and traffic problems. The 
Government further concludes that it is reasonable to proceed with the 
Proposed Action given Fort Meade's commitment to intensify efforts to 
work in partnership with the state and others to address the larger 
traffic and air quality issues in the region.
    Fort Meade is currently undertaking four initiatives that will help 
mitigate the adverse air quality impacts in the region: (1) Conversion 
of existing oil-fired heating systems to natural gas, (2) use of 
vehicles powered by natural gas, (3) installation of more energy--
efficient devices, and (4) fostering an extensive tree planting and 
reforestation program. To address traffic impacts, Fort Meade is 
considering encouraging the use of alternative transportation (e.g. 
carpooling and flextime), although major rail or bus lines do not 
currently service the installation. In addition, the construction of 
the State Route 198 by-pass onto Fort Meade via the former

[[Page 41574]]

Tipton Army Airfield by the Maryland State Highway Administration is 
designed to limit the through traffic at Fort Meade to those who 
reside, work or visit the installation for recreation or other 
purposes. This is expected to reduce congestion at the intersection of 
State Routes 198 and 32.
    Other resources that would be measurably affected by the Proposed 
Action or Alternative A are water quality (by stormwater runoff), 
utility systems infrastructure, and noise. Considering the best 
management practices planned by Fort Meade to address these effects, no 
significant impacts to these resources from the Proposed Action, 
Alternative A or cumulative effects of other actions are expected to 
occur. The completion of the 11 projects under the Proposed Action 
would increase Fort Meade's annual economic contribution to the Region 
of influence.

    Dated: August 1, 2001.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health), OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 01-19842 Filed 8-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M