[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 18, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14459-14460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5219]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Intent (NOI) To Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for Transformation-Related Increased Training at Fort 
Benning, GA (Maneuver Center of Excellence EIS)

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: In order to transform the Army, meet the increased national 
security and defense requirements of the 21st century, maintain 
training and operational readiness levels of the force,

[[Page 14460]]

and preserve a high quality of life for U.S. Army Soldiers and 
Families, the Army has identified the need to increase its overall size 
while continuing to restructure its forces in accordance with modular 
Transformation decisions. On December 19, 2007, the Army signed a 
Record of Decision (ROD) documenting its decision to proceed with 
growth of the Active and Reserve components of the Army by 74,200 
Soldiers through establishment of several new Brigade Combat Teams 
(BCTs) and Combat Support and Combat Support Service units (CS/CSS). 
The growth of the Army would allow for the adjustment of the 
composition of its forces to continue to accommodate Transformation 
objectives and create additional unit capabilities in high demand areas 
where mission requirements exceed current manning authorizations. The 
Army growth decision will result in increased demands for the use of 
Fort Benning. Fort Benning will prepare a Maneuver Center of Excellence 
EIS to analyze Grow the Army (GTA) site-specific requirements and 
additional actions needed to support Base Realignment and Closure 
(BRAC) implementation at Fort Benning.
    In 2007 Fort Benning prepared a Final EIS for proposed 
Transformation and Base Realignment and Closure activities and signed a 
ROD selecting an alternative to proceed with several necessary projects 
and activities (Final EIS for BRAC 05 Realignment and Transformation 
Actions at Fort Benning, October 2007). Although Fort Benning itself 
will not experience permanent force structure growth beyond that 
analyzed in the BRAC 05 Realignment and Transformation EIS, it will be 
required to increase training of transient student loads in order to 
achieve and maintain the Army end-strength growth. The Fort Benning 
Maneuver Center of Excellence EIS will therefore consider a proposed 
action and reasonable alternatives for the Army to increase facilities 
at Fort Benning to accommodate training requirements related to BRAC, 
Global Defense Posture Realignment (GDPR), Army Modular Force 
Initiatives (AMF), GTA and other related stationing activities.

ADDRESSES: For further information regarding the EIS, please contact 
Mr. John Brent, Fort Benning Directorate of Public Works, Environmental 
Management Division, Bldg 6 (Meloy Hall), Room 310, Fort 
Benning, GA 31905. Written comments may be sent to Ms. Manganaro at 
6751 Constitution Loop, Suite 550, Fort Benning, Georgia 31905.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Monica Manganaro, Fort Benning 
Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-3438, or Mr. Brandon Cockrell at 
(706) 545-3210 during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fort Benning consists of 181,275 acres of 
DoD-managed land south and east of Columbus, Georgia on the banks of 
the Chattahoochee River in eastern Alabama and western Georgia.
    The Maneuver Center of Excellence EIS is directly related to the 
BRAC 05 Realignment and Transformation Actions at Fort Benning EIS and 
the Programmatic EIS for Army Growth and Force Structure Realignment. 
The Maneuver Center of Excellence EIS will analyze impacts as a result 
of continuing Army Transformation actions at Fort Benning, including 
newly identified projects that are required to support GTA, and 2 
changes or additions to BRAC and Transformation projects (including 
GDPR and AMF) as analyzed in the BRAC 05 Realignment and Transformation 
EIS.
    The proposed action would include the construction, maintenance and 
operation of additional facilities, training areas, including ranges 
and maneuver areas to support new units and activities.
    The Maneuver Center of Excellence EIS will analyze the impact of 
several alternatives including the No Action Alternative. Alternatives 
to be examined by the EIS may consist of alternative siting locations 
within Fort Benning for facility and range construction projects, 
selection of new construction only, renovation and use of existing 
facilities, or a combination of both new construction and use of 
existing facilities, and varying intensity and use of maneuver areas 
within Fort Benning for training activities. Other alternatives may be 
identified during the public scoping process.
    Impacts analyzed will include a wide range of environmental 
resource areas including, but not limited to, air quality, traffic, 
noise, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, 
socioeconomics, utilities, land use, solid and hazardous materials/
waste, and cumulative environmental effects. Impacts to biological and 
water resources, air quality, and utilities could possibly be 
significant. Additional resources and conditions may be identified as a 
result of the scoping process initiated by this NOI. The public will be 
invited to participate in the 30-day scoping process which includes a 
scoping meeting and commenting on the proposed action, alternatives, 
and environmental issues of concern to be considered and addressed in 
the EIS. Opportunities for public participation will be announced in 
the local news media and at Fort Benning's Web site at https://www.benning.army.mil/EMD/program/legal/index.htm. Comments from the 
public will be considered before completion of a Draft EIS (DEIS). 
Following completion of a DEIS the public will have an additional 
opportunity for review and comment. The FEIS will make appropriate 
changes based on public comments and will be released to the public for 
a 30-day waiting period. After fully considering the FEIS, including 
any public comments, the Army will sign a Record of Decision (ROD) 
choosing an alternative to implement the proposed action at Fort 
Benning. The ROD will not be signed prior to the expiration of 30 days 
from the publication of the Notice of Availability (NOA) of the FEIS.

    Dated: March 10, 2008.
Addison D. Davis, IV
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E8-5219 Filed 3-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M