[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43718-43719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6639]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Availability of the Record of Decision 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 its Record of Decision 
(ROD) 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. Or June 14, 2006, the Army 
published a notice of availability of its Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) that considered the environmental consequences of the 
proposed action and alternatives. The ROD was signed in July 2006 and 
was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 
The ROD explains and finalizes the Army's decision to proceed with 
construction and operation of the BAX and CACTF at Eddy Drop Zone. This 
decision was based on the analysis described in the Final EIS, 
supporting studies, and comments provided during formal comment and 
review periods.

[[Page 43719]]

    The decision also affirms the Army's commitment to implementing a 
series of mitigation and monitoring measures to offset potential 
adverse environmental impacts associated with the selected action, as 
identified in the Final EIS.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: U.S. Army, Alaska (USARAK) will construct 
and operate two state-of-the-art, fully automated and instrumented 
combat training facilities. This involves the construction and 
operation of a BAX (rural environment) and CACTF (urban environment) at 
Eddy Drop Zone. The BAX will encompass approximately 2,872 acres and 
the CACTF will encompass 1,184 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 action is to provide year-round, fully 
automated, comprehensive, and realistic training and range facilities, 
which, in combination, will support company (200 Soldiers) through 
battalion (800 Soldiers) combat team training events. The construction 
and operation of a BAX and CACTF at Eddy Drop Zone will support 
required higher levels of realistic combat 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 will 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 will support company combat 
team live-fire operations on a fully automated rural maneuver range and 
will provide for joint combined arms team training with other 
Department of Defense organizations. The CACTF will support battalion 
combat team training and joint operations in an urban environment.
    The ROD includes a description of environmental and cultural 
resource management, monitoring and mitigation programs.
    The ROD and Final EIS are available at the following Web site: 
http://www.usarak.army.mil/conservation, or may be requested by 
contacting Major Kirk Gohlke (listed above).

John M. Brown III,
Lieutenant General, USA, Commanding General, U.S. Army, Pacific.
[FR Doc. 06-6639 Filed 8-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M