[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 81 (Friday, April 26, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20747-20748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10270]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) 
for Construction of the Cadet Library-Learning Center and Other 
Activities to the Cadet Zone Within the United States Military Academy 
(USMA), West Point, NY

AGENCY: U.S. Military Academy, Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: This announces the intention of the USMA, West Point, to 
prepare an EIS for the construction of a new Cadet Library-Learning 
Center to upgrade information access, teaching, and research facilities 
at the USMA. The purpose of this EIS is to evaluate the environmental 
impacts associated with the construction of the Cadet Library-Learning 
Center, and other activities within the Cadet Zone.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions on the scope of the EIS and 
questions concerning the proposed project may be forwarded to Mr. Alan 
B. Bjornsen, CEP, NEPA Coordinator, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, 
ATTN: MAEN-E-I, Directorate of Housing and

[[Page 20748]]

Public Works, Building 667, Ruger Road, West Point, New York 10996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bjornsen at (845) 938-4129; by fax 
at (845) 938-7046 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  The purposes of the proposed action are to 
construct a new Cadet Library-Learning Center, to demolish obsolete 
structures that no longer contribute to the USMA mission, and to 
construct new facilities to support the USMA mission and modernize the 
Cadet Zone. This action is needed to fulfill current and future needs 
for library and learning space to maintain institutional accreditation 
and academic excellence, to upgrade existing structures to meet life 
safety requirements, and to update existing cadet facilities that are 
over 30 years old.
    The USMA is proposing to construct a new Library-Learning Center on 
the Plain and to modify Bartlett (Science) Hall and the existing 
library. This will modernize and expand teaching and research 
laboratories and classrooms to provide necessary floor space, 
information resources and support facilities. Improvements in the 
information resources and support facilities are needed to maintain 
USMA's accreditation as a college. As part of a general improvement of 
the Cadet Zone area, the USMA is also considering renovation or 
demolition of obsolete structures within the Cadet Zone, including 
barracks renovations, upgrades, refurbishment and renovation of 
Bartlett Hall to enhance classroom and laboratory facilities, and the 
continuation of on-going maintenance projects.
    The no action alternative will be evaluated as well as other 
alternatives (options) developed as a result of public input and 
environmental analysis of the proposed projects during the preparation 
of the Draft EIS. These options may include alternative sites, 
alternative facility configuration, alternative size, whole and partial 
implementation, and other modifications.
    Public involvement: An interested parties meeting was held in 
December 2001 at the USMA to discuss the scope of the EIS and any 
potential data gaps. It is also anticipated that USMA will hold a 
public scoping meeting at the USMA to solicit both oral and written 
comments from interested parties. Scoping documents will be made 
available two weeks in advance of the scheduled public scoping meeting. 
Public scoping meeting date and time will be advertised in advance in 
local newspapers and meeting announcement letters will be sent to 
potentially interested parties. USMA plans to issue a Draft EIS in the 
spring 2003 timeframe with the availability of the draft being 
announced in the Federal Register and other media, as well as being 
provided to the public, organizations and agencies.

    Dated: April 22, 2002.
Michael L. Cain,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 02-10270 Filed 4-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M