[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44579-44580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15278]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 
Transformation of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's (PAARNG) 56th 
Brigade Into a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) at the National Guard 
Training Center (NGTC)--Fort Indiantown Gap (FITG), PA

AGENCY: National Guard Bureau (NGB), Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION:  Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army and NGB have proposed to transform 
the PAARNG's 56th Brigade into an SBCT. This DEIS discusses in-depth 
three alternatives: (1) the Preferred Alternative, (2) Train Using 
Existing Army Facilities Alternative, and (3) the No Action 
Alternative. Under the Preferred Alternative, the PAARNG proposed 
construction of new training and support facilities at NGTC-FTIG; at 
Fort Pickett, Virginia; and at local PAARNG facilities across the State 
of Pennsylvania, as well as conducting Annual Training (AT) at Fort 
A.P. Hill, Virginia, in order to accomplish requisite training. Under 
the Train Using Existing Army Facilities Alternative, no construction 
at NGTC-FTIG or Fort Pickett would occur; the statewide facilities 
improvements would occur. Required SBCT Inactive Duty Training (IDT) 
and AT would be conducted at select regional Army training 
installations using existing facilities. Other alternatives considered 
but eliminated from detail study are also addressed in the DEIS.

DATES: The comment period for the DEIS will end 45 days after 
publication of an NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or materials should be forwarded to 
Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Cleaver, NGTC-FTIG Public Affairs 
Officer, PADMVA Headquarters, Building O-47, Annville, Pennsylvania 
17003-5002 or Captain Patricia Rickard, NGTC-FTIG EIS Project Officer, 
NGTC-FTIG Environmental Section, 1119 Utility Road, Annville, 
Pennsylvania 17003-5002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Colonel Cleaver at (717) 
861-8468 or Captain Richard at (717) 861-2580.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PAARNG, while developing this DEIS, 
conducted studies concentrated on

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possible effects on the following issue areas: land use; air quality; 
noise; geology; topography and soils; water resources; biological 
resources; cultural resources; socioeconomics; environmental justice; 
infrastructure; and hazardous and toxic materials and wastes (HTMW). 
Significant impacts would be anticipated from both action alternatives, 
although the Preferred Alternative would result in greater impacts. The 
Train at Existing Army Facilities Alternative would result in fewer 
impacts but would not achieve the purpose of and need for the Proposed 
Action as effectively and efficiently as the Preferred Alternative. 
Studies concluded that implementation of the Preferred Alternative 
would result in some significant but unmitigable impacts to air 
quality, geology and soils, and biological resources, and would result 
in significant but mitigable impacts to land use, water resources, 
cultural resources, and the HTMW. The Preferred Alternative would also 
result in beneficial impacts to socioeconomics and to minority and low 
income populations. The Train Using Existing Army Facilities 
Alternative would result in significant unmitigable impacts to air 
quality (e.g, via fugitive dust during training episodes) and would 
negate the beneficial socioeconomic impacts of the Preferred 
alternative in the vicinities of NGTC-FTIG and Fort Pickett; the 
statewide (Pennsylvania) socioeconomic benefits would still occur. The 
No Action Alternative would result in no significant impacts but would 
not achieve the established purpose of and need for the Proposed 
Action.
    SBCT is a new concept that uses technology and information to 
improve the abilities of Army units. This change will allow the Army 
greater flexibility and will improve the variety of missions to which 
they can respond. The SBCT will use the ligher, more efficient, and 
more maneuverable Stryker vehicle to increase the speed at which 
Soldiers are transported to conflict areas, and will provide protective 
cover as Soldiers dismount and move by foot to desired target areas. 
The Stryker also enables Soldiers to obtain time sensitive, critical 
information and intelligence from their commanders and to maintain 
constant communication via refined satellite links and internet 
connections. This is a radical departure from the way Soldiers fight 
today and requires new ranges, training facilities and training 
protocols, as well as high-tech communication facilities, to ensure the 
military readiness and preparedness of the SBCT's to fulfill military 
objectives.

    Dated: July 28, 2005.
Daphne Kamely,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I&E).
[FR Doc. 05-15278 Filed 8-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M