[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9528-9529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1697]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Transformation of 
the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 56th Brigade Into a Stryker 
Brigade Combat Team at the National Guard Training Center--Fort 
Indiantown Gap, PA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION:  Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army (DA) and National Guard Bureau have 
proposed to transform the Pennsylvania Army National Guard (PAARNG) 
56th Brigade into a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). This 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) discusses in-depth three 
alternatives: The Preferred Alternative, the Train Using Existing Army 
Facilities Alternative, and the No-Action Alternative, Under the 
Preferred Alternative, the PAARNG proposes construction of new training 
and support facilities at the National Guard Training Center--Fort 
Indiantown Gap (NGTC-FTIG); at Fort Pickett, VA; and at local PAARNG 
facilities across the State of Pennsylvania, as well as conducting 
Annual Training (AT) at Fort A.P. Hill, VA, in order to accomplish 
requisite training. Under the Train Using Existing Army Facilities 
Alternative, no construction at NGTC-FTIG, Pennsylvania or Fort 
Pickett, VA 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 
detailed study are also addressed in the EIS.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or material should be forwarded to LTC 
Christopher Cleaver, NGTC-FTIG Public Affairs Officer (PAO), PADMVA 
Headquarters, Building 0-47, Annville, PA 17003-502 or Ms. Patricia 
Rickard, NGTC-FTIG EIS Project Officer, NGTC-FTIG, Environmental 
Section, 1119 Utility Road, Annville, PA 17003-5002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LTC Christopher Cleaver at (717) 861-
8468 or Ms. Patricia Rickard at (717) 861-2580.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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, and cultural resources. 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 (i.e., 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

[[Page 9529]]

achieve the established purpose of and need for the Proposed Action.

Clyde A. Vaughn,
Lieutenant General, GS, Director, Army National Guard.
[FR Doc. 06-1697 Filed 2-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M