[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44929-44930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19477]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for the Transformation of the 2d Armored Cavalry 
Regiment (ACR) and Installation Mission Support, Joint Readiness 
Training Center (JRTC) and Fork Polk, LA, and Long-Term Military 
Training Use of Kisatchie National Forest Lands

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD; Forest Service, USDA; Federal 
Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army, the USDA Forest Service, and the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announce the availability of the 
DEIS for the Transportation of the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment and 
Installation Mission Support, Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) 
and Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Long-Term Military Training Use of 
Kisatchie National Forest Lands. The DEIS evaluates environmental 
impacts associated with the Army's proposal for implementation force 
transformation and mission capability enhancements at the installation 
and at England Industrial Airpark, along with long-term military 
training use of Kisatchie National Forest lands. The Army's proposed 
action involves fielding of new vehicles and equipment; construction 
and improvement of firing ranges, roads, stream crossings, and support 
facilities; land use agreements and leases; training and deployment of 
Army troops; and continued environmental stewardship. In addition, the 
DEIS considers a Forest Service proposal to thin approximately 21,500 
acres of upland pine stands on the Vernon Unit, Calcasieu Ranger 
District of the Kisatchie National Forest to improve habitat conditions 
for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The FAA proposes to approve 
amendment of the Alexandria International Airport Layout Plan as 
influenced by proposed Army projects and activities at England 
Industrial Airpark.

DATES: The comment period for the DEIS will end 45 days after 
publication of the NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or requests for copies of the DEIS may be 
submitted to: Dan Nance, Fort Polk Public Affairs Office, 7073 Radio 
Road, Fort Polk, LA 71459-5342; phone: (337) 531-7203; fax: (337) 531-
6041; e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the DEIS may be 
directed to: Stacy Basham-Wagner, Joint Agency Liaison, Attention: 
AFZX-PW-E (Basham-Wagner), 1799 23rd Street, Fort Polk, LA 71459; 
telephone (337) 531-7458, fax: (337) 531-2627.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: In support of Army initiatives to meet 
evolving security requirements, the Army has designated the 2d ACR to 
transform as an element of the Interim Force to the 2d Cavalry 
Regiment, a medium-weight force that will be strategically responsive 
and more rapidly deployable by air. In addition to transformation of 
the 2d ACR, other Interim Force units stationed at other Army 
installations would participate in exercises at JRTC and Fort Polk on a 
rotational basis. To these ends, the Army proposes to implement force 
transformation and installation mission support activities at the JRTC 
and Fort Polk with respect to home station training (maneuver and 
gunnery exercises for Army units assigned to Fort Polk), rotational 
unit exercises, and facilities construction. The Army also proposes 
renewal of a Special Use Permit agreement with the Forest Service for 
continued use of Kisatchie National Forest lands to support military 
training. The areas of the Kisatchie National Forest proposed for Army 
use are known as the Intensive Use Area and Limited Use Area of the 
Vernon Unit, Calcasieu Ranger District and the Special Limited Use Area 
(also known as Horse's Head) of the Kisatchie Ranger District.
    Proposals for installation mission support involve 20 construction 
projects that would occur on Army lands, national forest lands, and at 
England Industrial Airpark in Alexandria, Louisiana. The projects 
include 13 facilities in the Fort Polk cantonment area, digitization 
and expansion of the Multi-Purpose Range Complex on Fort Polk's main 
post, road construction/

[[Page 44930]]

improvements and construction of a sniper range in the Intensive Use 
Area, construction of 20 stream crossings in the Limited Use Area, and 
3 deployment support facilities at England Industrial Airpark. The JRTC 
and Fort Polk also propose to create additional helicopter training 
areas and to conduct limited types of non-live fire training on private 
lands. Over a 10-year period, the Forest Service proposes to thin 
approximately 21,500 acres of upland pine stands in there Intensive Use 
Area to enhance habitat conditions for the endangered red-cockaded 
woodpecker.
    The Army is the lead agency in preparing the DEIS and the Forest 
Service and FAA are cooperating agencies. The decision to be made by 
the Army, based on the results of the EIS and upon consideration of all 
relevant factors (including mission, cost, technical factors, and 
environmental considerations), is how to provide for military training, 
readiness, and facilities requirements while ensuring the sustained use 
of resources entrusted to the stewardship of the Army. The decision to 
be made by the Forest Service is what military activities and land uses 
may occur on national forest lands and how to balance military and non-
military uses while sustaining resources entrusted to Forest Service 
stewardship. The FAA intends to relay on analyses in this EIS to make 
decisions concerning the Alexandria International Airport Layout Plan 
as it may be affected by three Army projects proposed to occur at the 
airport and consequent movement of aircraft, materiel, and personnel 
through that facility.
    The DEIS identifies eight alternatives, two of which are analyzed 
in detail: (1) The proposed action, summarized above, and (2) a no 
action alternative.
    Comments on the DEIS received during the 45-day comment period will 
be considered in preparing the Final EIS. Public meetings to solicit 
comments on the DEIS will be held Baton Rouge, Leesville, and 
Alexandria, Louisiana. Notification of the times and locations for the 
public meetings will be published in local newspapers at least 15 days 
in advance.
    Copies of the DEIS are available for review at the following 
libraries: Allen Parish Library (Oberlin Branch), 320 S. Sixth Street, 
Oberlin; Beauregard Parish Library, 205 South Washington Avenue, 
DeRidder, Calcasieu Public Library, 301 W. Claude Street, Lake Charles; 
East Baton Rouge Parish Library, 7711 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge; 
Lafayette Public Library, 301 W. Congress Street, Lafayette; Lincoln 
Parish Library, 509 West Alabama Avenue, Ruston; Natchitoches Parish 
Library, 431 Jefferson Street, Natchitoches; New Orleans Public Library 
(Orleans Parish), 219 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans; New Orleans Public 
Library (Algiers Point Branch), 725 Pelican Avenue, New Orleans; 
Ouachita Parish Library, 1800 Stubbs Avenue, Monroe; Rapides Parish 
Library, 411 Washington Street, Alexandria; Vernon Parish Library, 1401 
Nolan Trace, Leesville; and Shreve Memorial Library (Caddo Parish), 424 
Texas Street (71101), Shreveport, Louisiana. The DEIS, as well as 
additional information concerning the EIS process, may be reviewed at 
http://notes.tetratech-ffx.com/PolkEIS.nsf.

    Dated: July 24, 2003.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health), OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 03-19477 Filed 7-30-03; 8:45 am]
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