[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 151 (Friday, August 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47916-47917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18000]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Record of Decision for the Final 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 Department of the Army announces the availability of the 
Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the Digital Multi-Purpose Range Complex (DMPRC) at Fort 
Benning, GA. The ROD details the Army's decision with respect to the 
proposed action and alternatives considered in the EIS, and the 
rationale for the decision. Based on the EIS and other factors, the 
Army has decided to implement its preferred alternative. This decision 
allows the Army to proceed with the necessary actions to allow the 
construction, operation and maintenance of a DMPRC at Fort Benning. The 
decision also affirms the Army's commitment to implementing a series of 
mitigations and monitoring measures, as identified in the EIS, to 
offset potential adverse environmental impacts associated with the 
proposed action.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties desiring to review the ROD may obtain a 
copy by contacting Mr. Richard McDowell, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. 
Army Infantry Center, ATTN: ATZB-PO, Fort Benning, GA, 31905-5122 or by 
sending an electronic mail request to [email protected]. The 
ROD may also be viewed on the Fort Benning Web site (http://www-benning.army.mil/EMD/dmprcLegal&PublicNotices.htm).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard McDowell at 706-545-2211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In compliance with the National

[[Page 47917]]

Environmental Policy Act, the Army prepared an EIS for the 
construction, operation, and maintenance of the DMPRC. The EIS 
identified the relevant environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the 
proposed action and alternatives on the biological, physical, and 
cultural environment.
    As a result of this decision, the Army will proceed with the 
necessary actions to begin to construct and operate the facilities 
described in the Preferred Alternative (Alternative III). Although the 
Environmentally Preferred Alternative (Alternative I-No Action) 
generally had few environmental impacts than the two action 
alternatives, it had significant adverse impacts from noise and did not 
meet the overall training needs of the installation. Noise was a major 
concern raised in public comments. The Army Preferred Alternative 
substantially reduces adverse noise impacts on the communities near Ft. 
Benning by moving the training range to a more interior portion of the 
installation. Alternative II would also meet the basic purpose and need 
for the DMPRC, but would have more adverse environmental effects that 
Alternative III. All practicable measures will be used to mitigate the 
impacts. The mitigation measures are listed in the ROD. The proposed 
project site is an approximately 1,800 acre area in the D13 area that 
would utilize an existing dudded impact area, K15. The DMPRC would 
contain 35 stationary infantry targets, 11 evasive moving armor 
targets, 55 stationary armor targets, two defense trenches with 
foxholes, 19 defilade positions (Abrams Tank and Bradley Fighting 
Vehicle hiding places), four tank trails, eight low-water crossings 
(four on Bonham Creek and four on Sally Beach). A helipad will also be 
constructed for use in emergency evacuations. The following support 
facilities would be constructed in an approximately 20-acre area to the 
southwest of the range and target firing area and just off of Hourglass 
Road: latrines; bivouac pads; a covered mess (dining area); vehicle 
holding and maintenance areas; a well house; water distribution and 
wastewater collection/treatment systems; a secondary power and data 
distribution system; a Control Building; and buildings for After Action 
Review; general instruction; operations and storage; central 
maintenance and for ammunition breakdown (with ammunition dock).

Michael Q. Frnka,
Director Public Works Division, Installation Management Agency, 
Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 04-18000 Filed 8-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M