[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 213 (Thursday, November 4, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 64280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24637]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Construction and the Operation of a Battle Area Complex and a Combined 
Arms Collective Training Facility Within U.S. Army Training Lands in 
Alaska

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Army announces the availability of a Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (DEIS) for the construction and operation of a co-
located Battle Area Complex (BAX) and a Combined Arms Collective 
Training Facility (CACTF) within U.S. Army training lands in Alaska, 
and the execution of routine, joint military training at these 
locations. The purpose of the proposed project is to provide a year-
round, fully automated, multi-purpose, and realistic training facility 
for U.S. Army, Alaska and other units. The DEIS analyzes the proposed 
action's impacts upon Alaska's natural and man-made environments. The 
Army prepared this DEIS in compliance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA).

DATES: Written comments on the DEIS are invited during the 45-day 
public comment period, which begins on the date the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency publishes notice of receipt of the DEIS in the 
Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be directed to: Mr. Kevin Gardner, 
Directorate of Public Works, 730 Quartermaster Road, Attention: APVR-
RPW-EV (GARDNER), Fort Richardson, AK 99505-6500; facsimile: (907) 384-
3047; e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Major Dan Hunter, Public Affairs 
Officer, 600 Richardson Drive, 5600, ATTN: APVR-RPV-O 
(HUNTER), Fort Richardson, AK 99505-5600; telephone: (907) 384-3306; 
facsimile: (907) 384-2060; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: U.S. Army, Alaska (USARAK) proposes to 
construct and to operate a state-of-the-art, fully automated and 
instrumented combat training facility. This involves the construction 
and operation of a co-located BAX (rural environment) and CACTF (urban 
environment). The BAC and CACTF require approximately 3,500 and 800 
acres of land suitable for the construction and operation of these 
ranges, respectively. In addition, a surface danger zone is associated 
with both, brining the total required area to approximately 30,000 
acres.
    The purpose of the proposed action is to provide year-round, fully 
automated, comprehensive, and realistic training and range facilities, 
which, in combination, would support company (200 soldiers) through 
battalion (800 soldiers) combat team training events. The construction 
and operation of a co-located BAX and CACTF would support required 
higher levels of realistic combat training in both urban and rural 
environments. Automated facilities will be used to provide timely 
feedback that is critical to effective training.
    The BAX and CACTF would fully train soldiers for war by maintaining 
unit readiness and availability in recognition of the threats facing 
our nation and the world today. The BAX would support company combat 
team live-fire operations on a fully automated rural maneuver range and 
would provide for joint combined arms team training with other 
Department of Defense organizations. The CACTF would support battalion 
combat team training and joint operations in an urban environment.
    Tribes, Federal, state, and local agencies and the public were 
invited to participate in the scoping process for the preparation of 
this DEIS. The primary issues analyzed in the DEIS include the result 
of public scoping. These issues are: Soil resources; wildlife and 
fisheries; cultural resources; surface water (particularly local 
flooding events); fire management; noise; and human health and safety. 
These issues have been analyzed based on the following proposed 
alternative courses of action: (1) No Action (maintain existing range 
infrastructure and do not construct a BAX and a CACTF); (2) 
Construction and operation of a BAX and a CACTF within Eddy Drop Zone; 
(3) Construction and operation of a BAX and a CACTF within Donnelly 
Drop Zone; and (4) Construction and operation of a BAX and a CACTF 
within North Texas Range. These three alternative sites are located in 
Donnelly Training Area, East, which is adjacent to Fort Greely, Alaska.
    Copies of the DEIS are available for review at the following 
locations: Noel Wien Public Library, 1215 Cowles Street, Fairbanks, AK; 
Delta Junction Public Library, Deborah Street, Delta Junction, AK; 
Donnelly Training Area Natural Resources Office, Building T100, Room 
201, Fort Greely, AK; and Fort Wainwright Environmental Resources 
Department, Building 3023, Fort Wainwright, AK. A copy of the DEIS may 
be obtained at the following Web site: http://www.usarak.army.mil/conservation, or by contacting Major Dan Hunter (listed above).
    Comments on the DEIS, received during the 45-day public comment 
period, will be considered in preparing the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement. The Army will hold public meetings to solicit comments on 
the DEIS. Notification of the dates, times and locations for the 
meetings will be published in local newspapers.

John M. Brown III,
Lieutenant General, USA, Commanding General, U.S. Army, Pacific.
[FR Doc. 04-24637 Filed 11-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M