[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12304-12305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5853]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


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

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army, the USDA Forest Service, and the 
DOT Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announce the availability of 
the FEIS for the 2d ACR Transformation 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 FEIS evaluates environmental impacts associated with 
the Army's proposal for implementing 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 FEIS 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-cocked woodpecker. The FAA proposes to approve an 
amendment of the Alexandria International Airport Layout Plan as 
influenced by proposed Army projects and activities at England 
Industrial Airpark.

DATES: The waiting period will end 30 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 FEIS 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) 6014; 
e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the FEIS may be 
directed to Ms. 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. For further information 
on the Forest Service's Record of Decision, contact Ms. Cynthia A. 
Dancak, 2500 Shreveport Highway, Pineville, LA 71360; phone (318) 473-
7160.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In support of Army initiatives to meet 
evolving security requirements, the Army has designated the 2d ACR to 
transform to the 2d Cavalry Regiment, a medium-weight force equipped 
with Stryker vehicles that will be strategically responsive and more 
rapidly deployable by air. In addition to transformation of the 2d ACR, 
units stationed at other Army installations would participate in 
exercises at the 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 suport 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 Ranger Complex on Fort Polk's main 
post, road construction/improvements and construction of a sniper range 
in the Intensive Use Area, construction of 20 stream crossings in the 
Limited 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.
    The Army is the lead agency in preparing the FEIS, 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 Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) intends to rely 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.
    Based on the FEIS, the Forest Service has decided to authorize 
certain Army activities and land uses on Kisatchie National Forest 
lands and to thin, over a 10-year period, approximately 21,500 acres of 
upland pine stands in the Intensive Use Area to enhance habitat 
conditions for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The Forest 
Service (in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) has 
also decided to classify as ``deleted'' red-cockaded woodpecker 
clusters documented to have been inactive for a five-year period.
    The FEIS identifies eight alternatives, two of which are analyzed 
in detail: (1) The proposed action, summarized above, and (2) a no 
action alternative. The FEIS also includes a mitigation and monitoring 
plan developed by the Army and Forest Service to rectify, reduce, or 
eliminate adverse effects to land cover, soils, water quality, and 
biological resources.
    The Forest Service's decision is subject to appeal pursuant to 36 
CFR 215.11. A written appeal, including attachments, must be postmarked 
or received within 45 days after the date of the legal notice of the 
decision is published in the Alexandria Daily Town Talk. The Appeal 
shall be sent to USDA, Forest Service, ATTN: Appeals Deciding Officer, 
1720 Peachtree Rd., NW., Suite 811N, Atlanta, Georgia 30309-9102, 
within 45 days of the date of the legal notice. Appeals may be faxed to 
(404) 347-5401. Hand-delivered appeals must be received within normal 
business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appeals may also be mailed 
electronically in a common digital format to [email protected]. Appeals must meet the content requirements of 36 CFR 
215.14. If no appeal is received, implementation of the decision may 
occur on, but not before, five business days from the close of the 
appeal filing period. If an appeal is received, implementation may not 
occur for 15 business days following the

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date of appeal disposition (36 CFR 215.9).
    Copies of the FEIS and Forest Service Record of Decision 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; Sabine 
Parish Library, 705 Main Street, Many; and Shreve Memorial Library 
(Caddo Parish), 424 Texas Street (71101), Shreveport. The FEIS, as well 
as additional information concerning the EIS process, may be reviewed 
at http://notes.tetratech-ffx.com/PolkEIS.nsf.

    Dated: March 9, 2004.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 04-5853 Filed 3-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M