[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34316-34317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5386]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Availability of the Final 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.

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SUMMARY: The Army announces the availability of a Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS) for the construction and operation of a 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 year-round, fully automated, 
comprehensive and realistic training and range facilities for U.S. 
Army, Alaska and other units. The FEIS analyzes the proposed action's 
impacts upon Alaska's natural and man-made environments. The FEIS was 
prepared in pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Major Kirk Gohlke, Public Affairs 
Officer, telephone: (907) 384-1542 facsimile: (907) 384-2060; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: U.S. Army, Alaska (USARAK) proposes to 
construct and to operate two state-of-the-art, fully automated and 
instrumented combat training facilities on U.S. Army training lands in 
Alaska. This involves the construction and operation of a BAX (rural 
environment) and CACTF (urban environment). The BAX requires 
approximately 3,500 acres and the CACTF requires 1,100 acres of land 
suitable for the construction and operation of these ranges. In 
addition, surface danger zones are required for both the BAX and CACTF.
    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 BAX and CACTF would support required higher levels 
of realistic combat training in both urban and rural environments. 
Automated facilities would 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 operation in an urban environment.
    The changes in the FEIS are the result of public and agency 
comments following the release of the Supplemental Draft EIS in March 
2006. The FEIS provides additional analysis on such issues as: project 
site selection; soil resources; wildlife and fisheries; cultural 
resources; surface water (particularly local flooding events); fire 
management; noise; human health and safety; airspace use; and 
mitigation. These issues have been analyzed based on the following 
proposed alternative courses of action: (1) No Action (maintain 
existing range infrastructure without constructing a BAX and a CACTF); 
(2) Construction and operation of a BAX and a CACTF within the Eddy 
Drop Zone; (3) Construction and operation of a BAX and a CACTF within 
the Donnelly Drop Zone; (4) Construction and operation of a BAX and a 
CACTF within the North Texas Range; and (5) Construction and operation 
of a BAX within the North Texas Range and CACTF within the Eddy Drop 
Zone (new alternative). These three locations are within Donnelly 
Training Area, East, which is adjacent to Fort Greely, AK. The 
preferred alternative is to construct and operate a BAX and CACTF at 
Eddy Drop Zone.
    Publication of the FEIS is expected to occur in or around June 
2006. A 30-day waiting period begins on the date the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency publishes notice of receipt of the FEIS in the 
Federal Register. Thereafter, the Army will complete the EIS process by 
issuing a Record of Decision. Copies of the FEIS are available 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 National Resources Office, 
Building T100, Room 201, Fort Greely, AK; and Fort Wainwright 
Environmental Resources Department, Building 3023, Fort Wainwright, AK. 
A copy of the FEIS may be viewed at the following Web site: http://www.usarak.army.mil/conservation, or

[[Page 34317]]

requested by contacting Major Kirk Gohlke (listed above).

John M. Brown III,
Lieutenant General, USA, Commanding General, U.S. Army, Pacific.
[FR Doc. 06-5386 Filed 6-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M