[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 129 (Monday, July 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40252-40253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17015]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) on the Transformation of the 172nd Infantry Brigade 
(Separate) to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) at U.S. Army Alaska

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The DEIS analyzes the environmental impacts of transforming 
the 172th Infantry Brigade (Separate) to an SBCT at U.S. Army Alaska. 
The proposed action would affect changes to force structure and changes 
to ranges, facilities, and infrastructure designed to meet objectives 
of Army transformation in Alaska. Proposed locations for changes 
include Fort Wainwright (FWA), Fort Richardson (FRA), and outlying 
training areas (e.g., Gerstle River Training Area and Black Rapids 
Training Site). Proposed areas of activity changes on FWA would include 
cantonment areas, Tanana Flats Training Area, Yukon Training Area, and 
Donnelly Training Area (formerly Fort Greely). The proposed action 
would alter various activities on military and training lands in 
Alaska. The range of proposed activities include: (1) Stationing of 
forces within USARAK to achieve mission requirements; (2) construction, 
renovation, and demolition activies; (3) training to achieve and 
maintain readiness to perform assigned missions; (4) fielding of 
weapons systems and equipment (to include the Stryker, a light armored 
vehicle, and the Shadow, an unmanned aerial vehicle); (5) deployment of 
forces and equipment and specific deployment training activities; and 
(6) institutional matters to include entire range of day-to-day 
management and operational activities not otherwise accounted for in 
other activity categories.

DATES: The comment period for the DEIS will end 60 days after 
publication of the NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the DEIS, ask questions, or submit 
written comments, contact Mr. Kevin Gardner, Directorate of Public 
Works, 730 Quartermaster Road, Attention: APVR-RPW-EV (Gardner), Fort 
Richardson, AK 99505-6500; or Mr. Calvin Bagley, Center for 
Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML), Colorado State 
University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1490.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Kevin Gardner by telephone at 907-
384-3003; by facsimile at 907-384-3047; or via e-mail at 
[email protected]; or Mr. Calvin Bagley by telephone at 
970-491-3324; by facsimile at 970-491-2713; or via e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS analyzes three alternative courses 
of action with respect to the transformation of the 172nd Infantry 
Brigade (Separate) (172nd SIB) into an SBCT at USARAK: (1) The no 
action alternative, under which no transformation activities would 
occur and the existing 172nd SIB mission would continue; (2) the 
transformation of the 172nd SIB with new infrastructure alternative, 
under which the 172nd SIB, excpet for the 1-501st Parachute Infantry 
Regiment (PIR), would transform into an SBCT and the construction of 
five new SBCT-required facilities; and (3) the transformation of the 
172nd SIB with new infrastructure and an Airborne Task Force 
alternative, under which the 172nd SIB, except for the 1-501st PIR, 
would transform into an SBCT and the construction of five new SBCT-
required facilities. Under this alternative, the 1-501st PIR would be 
assigned to USARAK and would expand to an Airborne Task Force.
    Comments on the DEIS received during the 60-day public comment 
period will be considered in preparing the USARAK's Final EIS. Public 
meetings will be held during the comment period and will be announced 
in the local news media.
    Copies of the DEIS are avaiable for review at the following 
libraries: Z.J. Loussac Public Library, 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, 
Alaska; Chugiak/Eagle River Public Library, 12400 Old Glenn Highway, 
Eagle River, Alaska; Noel Wien Public Library, 1215 Cowles Street, 
Fairbanks, Alaska; and the Delta Junction Public Library, Deborah 
Street, Delta Junction, Alaska. The DEIS is also avaialble for review 
at the following Web site: www.cemml.colostate.edu/alaskaeis.


[[Page 40253]]


    Dated: June 27, 2003.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health), OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 03-17015 Filed 7-3-03; 8:45 am]
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