[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 154 (Friday, August 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45021-45022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3912]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for 
Transformation at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS), Colorado

AGENCY: Department of the Army.

ACTION: Record of Decision.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of a ROD 
documenting and explaining the decision to implement realignment 
transformation actions, as directed by the Base Realignment and Closure 
(BRAC) Commission, at the Pinon

[[Page 45022]]

Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS) in Las Animas County in southeastern 
Colorado, and other Army transformation programs. The decision is based 
on the analysis described in the Final PCMS Transformation 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), supporting studies, and comments 
provided during formal comment and review periods.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PCMS National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) Coordinator, Directorate of Environmental Compliance and 
Management, 1638 Elwell Street, Building 6236, Fort Carson, Colorado 
80913-4000; telephone: 719-526-0912; fax: 719-526-1705; or e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Army has decided to proceed with 
implementing the Proposed Action described in the Final EIS. The 
Proposed Action is the Army's preferred alternative to implement three 
transformation programs at the PCMS. The Army transformation programs 
include: BRAC 2005; Global Defense Posture Realignment (formerly known 
as Integrated Global Presence and Basing Strategy); and the Army 
Modular Force initiative. These programs are part of the overall Army 
restructuring and are needed to prepare the Army's combat forces for 
deployment around the world. The Army's decision considered and is 
consistent with the analysis presented in the EIS, supporting studies, 
and comments provided during formal comment and review periods.
    To implement the BRAC Commission recommendations, the Proposed 
Action includes two primary components: (1) More frequent use of the 
PCMS training areas to provide training for approximately 8,500 
realigned Active Component (AC) Soldiers and additional Reserve 
Component (RC) Soldiers assigned to, or otherwise under the control of, 
Fort Carson and (2) construction of facilities in the Cantonment and 
ranges in the training areas.
    The Proposed Action will provide for increased frequency of 
training for existing and new units stations at, or otherwise assigned 
to, Fort Carson. Training and maneuver activities would be similar to 
the types of activities that presently occur on the PCMS. The increased 
training requirements of additional AC and RC units, however, will 
result in increased frequency of use of the training areas. The Army 
will continue to implement land and environmental management programs 
and practices to sustain its training lands for continued use. The No 
Action Alternative would not meet the Army's purpose and need for the 
Proposed Action because the BRAC realignment is required by Congress 
and needed for Army transformation to be effective.
    All practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental impacts as 
a result of implementing the selected action have been adopted. The 
Army will minimize effects on all environmental and cultural resources 
by implementing the best management practices and mitigation measures 
described in the ROD to minimize or avoid the adverse effects 
identified in the Final EIS.
    The Army's decision reflects a proper balance among initiatives for 
protection of the environment, appropriate mitigation, and actions to 
achieve the Army's requirements.
    The decision does not include expansion of the PCMS through land 
acquisition. Expansion of the PCMS is a separate action that will be 
evaluated in a public process at a future date.
    An electronic version of the ROD can be viewed or downloaded online 
at http://www.hqda.army.mil/acsim/brac/nepa_eis_docs.htm.

    Dated: August 5, 2007.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 07-3912 Filed 8-09-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M