[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7207-7208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2848]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Digital Multi-Purpose Range Complex at Fort Benning, GA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Digital Multi-Purpose Range Complex (DMPRC) would provide 
gunnery training facilities for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) and 
the Abrams M1A1 Tank System (Tank), providing the capability for both 
active and reserve components to train to required standards under 
realistic conditions.
    Fort Benning proposes to construct, operate, and maintain a DMPRC. 
The DMPRC would provide a state-of-the-art range facility to meet the 
Army's training needs for soldiers to conduct gunnery courses in a 
realistic training environment by expanding the Installation's training 
capacity. The current ranges on Fort Benning do not meet modern gunnery 
standards and are inadequate to support full gunnery training and 
qualifications, requiring training to modified standards. The project 
would include construction of the firing and target area, installation 
of fiber optics, construction of support facilities, upgrading and 
construction of associated roadways, installation of utilities to 
support the site, construction of a helipad, construction of other 
related equipment and facilities, and operation and maintenance of the 
DMPRC.

DATES: Comments: To be considered in preparation for the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), comments must be received not 
later than March 29, 2004, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
    Meetings: March 2, 2004, 6 p.m., at the Elizabeth Bradley Turner 
Center, Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, 
GA, and March 4, 2004, 6 p.m., at the Marion Middle School Gymnasium, 
100 East Burkhalter Avenue, Buena Vista, GA.

ADDRESSES: Please direct written comments or requests for copies of the

[[Page 7208]]

Draft EIS (DEIS) to Mr. Richard McDowell, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. 
Army Infantry Center, ATTN: ATZB-PO, Fort Benning, GA 31905-5122 or e-
mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard McDowell, Public Affairs 
Officer, U.S. Army Infantry Center, ATTN: ATZB-PO, Fort Benning, GA, 
31905-5122, (706) 545-2211, or e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fort Benning is the ``Home of the Infantry'' 
and conducts training for elements of Mechanized Infantry Division 
units. Tank and BFV crews must train and qualify at different skill 
levels (gunnery tables) that are designed to develop and test the 
proficiency level of individuals, crews, and platoons. Existing 
facilities at Fort Benning do not currently meet training standards for 
advanced gunnery qualification. Specifically, the existing range 
targetry is antiquated; the natural terrain features of Hastings Range 
hampers training effectiveness and efficiency; the nearness to the 
Installation boundary restricts training due to noise; and the lack of 
digital components on the existing range delays the analysis of the 
training exercise.
    The Army proposes to construct, operate, and maintain a DMPRC. The 
DEIS analyzes the No Action/Status Quo and two action alternatives. The 
notice of intent to prepare an EIS for the DMPRC included another 
alternative, Transport to Fort Stewart, however further analysis 
indicated that alternative was not reasonable. Alternatives considered 
in detail in the DEIS are:
    1. No Action--Continue to conduct modified advanced gunnery 
training at Hastings Range on Fort Benning.
    2. Construct, operate and maintain a DMPRC in Training Compartment 
K21 on Fort Benning. The range dimensions would be approximately 1,500 
meters by 4,500 meters and cover about 1,800 acres plus support 
facilities; however these dimensions would be subject to site-specific 
design requirements and may be modified. The DMRPC would include a 
firing and target area with 3 course lanes, numerous stationary and 
moving targets, trenches and berms, maintenance roads; a helipad; 
utilities and communication systems; and support facilities on about 25 
acres including control and instruction buildings, maintenance and 
storage buildings. The DMPRC would include a safety zone that is 
inaccessible during operation of the range.
    3. Preferred Alternative--Construct, operate and maintain a DMPRC 
in Training Compartment D13 on Fort Benning with the same approximate 
dimensions and facilities as described for Alternative II.
    Both Alternatives 2 and 3 would also include changes in training on 
other ranges (Ruth, Cactus, Carmouche, and Hastings) to incorporate the 
new DMPRC into the training regime.
    The DMPRC DEIS includes analyses of the potential environmental 
consequences, including cumulative impacts that each alternative may 
have on many environmental and socioeconomic resources or topics, 
including: soils and vegetation, water quality, wetlands and 
streambanks, unique ecological areas, Federally and state listed 
species, migratory birds, socioeconomics, land use, cultural resources, 
utilities, noise, air quality, public health and safety, hazardous 
materials and wastes, and transportation. The findings indicate that 
the No Action alternative has the least amount of potential impacts 
because no construction is proposed; however, noise concerns will 
continue and the needed improvement in range facilities would not be 
achieved. Alternatives 2 and 3 would have some potential adverse 
impacts to several of the studied resources; however, mitigations to 
reduce those impacts are identified in the DEIS, and both alternatives 
would result in less noise disturbance from BFV and tank weaponry 
firing.
    Scoping and Comments: Fort Benning has distributed a series of 
newsletters that are also posted on the Fort Benning Web site and may 
be viewed at www.benning.army.mil/EMD/dmprcLegal&PublicNotices.htm. All 
future newsletters, notices of meetings, and other public and 
stakeholder participation opportunities will also be posted on this Web 
site. Comments or questions may also be submitted on this Web site. 
Fort Benning invites individuals and organizations to participate in 
the DEIS review process by submitting written comments to the address 
listed above and by attending public meetings. Public meetings have 
been scheduled for March 2, 2004 and March 2, 2004 (see DATES); 
additional notices will be announced in the Columbus Ledger Enquirer, 
the Tri-County Journal, The Bayonet, on the Fort Benning Web site 
(listed above), and by notices of meeting sent to parties on the 
distribution list.

Michael Q. Frnka,
Public Works Director, Installation Management Agency, Southeast 
Region.
[FR Doc. 04-2848 Filed 2-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M