[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 177 (Friday, September 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 53724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23243]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) Regarding the Proposed Leasing of Lands at Fort Bliss, Texas, for
the Proposed Siting, Construction, and Operation by the City of El Paso
of a Brackish Water Desalination Plant and Support Facilities
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: This announces the intention of the U.S. Army Air Defense
Artillery Center and Fort Bliss (SUAADACENFB) to prepare an EIS
regarding the proposed leasing of lands at Fort Bliss, Texas, for the
proposed siting, construction, and operation of a brackish water
desalination plant (the ``Project``) by the City of El Paso, Texas. The
purpose of the EIS is to evaluate the environmental impacts associated
with the Project.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests for information may be
forwarded to John F. Barrera, Fort Bliss Directorate of Environment,
ATTN: ATZC-DOE-C, B624 Pleasonton Road, Fort Bliss, TX 79916-6812.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Barrera at (915) 568-3908.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Project has the potential to result in
effects to the human environment in and around Fort Bliss and the El
Paso City and County area. The study area for the environmental
analysis is the eastern half of El Paso County, which includes Fort
Bliss and most of El Paso City, as well as southern portions of
Do[ntilde]a Ana and Otero Counties, New Mexico. The objective of the
DEIS is to provide a planning and decision-making too, serve as a
public information service, and a reference fir mitigation tracking.
Alternatives that will be evaluated include locations for the
Project and support facilities, desalination methodologies, and
disposal options for the brine water resulting from the desalination
process.
Issue of potential significance: The Hueco Bolson aquifer is a
major source of water for Fort Bliss and the El Paso Region. This
extensive underground water resource, located in large part under Fort
Bliss training lands, contains significant quantities of brackish
water. Brackish water is water designated by the Environmental
Protection Agency as containing dissolved solids (salts) above the
drinking water standards. The Project is proposed for the purpose of
extending the life of fresh groundwater supplies by desalinating this
brackish water for use by the City of El Paso and Fort Bliss. The
Project would help meet existing and projected demands for potable
water and extend the life of the Hueco Bolson aquifer.
The EIS will include analyses of environmental impacts from the
following: (1) Alternative sites for the desalination plant and support
facilities; (2) construction by the City of El Paso of the desalination
plant and support facilities on Fort Bliss at one of three proposed
locations; (3) alternative methodologies for desalination; (4)
alternate methodologies for brine disposal, including reinjection and
evaporation; and (5) effects of pumping brackish water out of the Hueco
Bolson.
A public meeting in the vicinity of the installation and the
general proposed location of the desalination plant will be held to
facilitate input to the EIS process by citizens and organizations. The
date and time of this meeting will be announced in the general media
and will be at a time and location convenient to the public. To ensure
comments are fully considered in the Draft EIS, comments and
suggestions should be received no later than 15 days following the
meeting. Comments and questions may also be e-mailed to
[email protected]. Additional information may also be obtained at
the following web site: www.bliss.army.mil.
Dated: September 5, 2003.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health) OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 03-23243 Filed 9-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M