[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 38999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15185]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Brigade Combat Team Transformation at 
Fort Irwin, CA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA).

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SUMMARY: The Fort Irwin National Training Center announces the 
availability of a Draft PEIS for mission realignment in support of Army 
Transformation, the Army Campaign Plan, and other Army initiatives. 
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
Department of the Army has prepared a PEIS to disclose potential 
impacts to the natural, physical, and human environment resulting from 
Army transformation efforts at Fort Irwin. Potential impacts from 
alternatives that are capable of meeting the Army's training, 
operations, and quality of life requirements have been analyzed. After 
reviewing a full range of possible alternative transformation options, 
the Army has selected Alternative 4 (increase of approximately 5,000 
Soldiers and training rotation capacity increased to 12) as the 
preferred alternative for Army transformation.

DATES: The public comment period for the Draft PEIS will end 45 days 
after publication of an NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft PEIS are available at the Directorate of 
Public Affairs. Send all written comments concerning this PEIS to: Mr. 
Muhammad Ban, U.S. Army National Training Center, Attn: IMWE-IRW-PWE, 
PO Box 105085, Fort Irwin, CA 92310-5085.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Muhammad Ban at (760) 380-3410, 
facsimile: (760) 380-2677, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Draft PEIS assesses the environmental 
impacts associated with the stationing and training of new Soldiers at 
Fort Irwin. In October 1999, the senior leadership of the Army 
expressed a new vision regarding future readiness, force structure, 
personnel and transformation of the Army to meet the challenges and 
demands of the 21st century. In December 2000, the Army proposed to 
undertake a synchronized program as stated in the Army Transformation 
Campaign Plan to transform the existing force structure (from a 
``division-based'' force to a modular ``brigade-based'' force) in three 
phases over a 30-year period as described in the PEIS for Army 
Transformation. A Record of Decision for that PEIS was signed in April 
2002 to proceed with the 30-year phased implementation of Army 
Transformation.
    The Army leadership determined that the 11th Armored Cavalry 
Regiment (ACR) should transform over a period of several years to 
become a MultiComponent Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT), deployable 
throughout the world. Other smaller units would also be stationed at 
Fort Irwin. Training rotations would increase and additional new 
Soldiers would be stationed at Fort Irwin. Additional cantonment and 
range construction would be necessary to support the increase in 
rotations and troops.
    This Draft PEIS examines several alternatives for implementation of 
Army transformation at Fort Irwin. The PEIS will provide the Army 
senior leadership with a hard look at environmental impacts associated 
with the Proposed Action and better inform their decision-making 
process for selecting the final HBCT transformation option. This PEIS 
effort will assist the Army in arriving at a decision that can 
accommodate the Brigade's training, operations, and quality of life 
requirements while meeting the strategic defense needs of the nation.
    After reviewing the full range of potential Army transformation 
options, four alternatives have been identified by the Army as 
reasonable for meeting the Army's needs and screening criteria. 
Alternatives include: (1) Increase of approximately 690 Soldiers and 
add capability to increase training rotations from 10 to 11 per year; 
(2) increase of approximately 5,000 Soldiers and add capability to 
increase training rotations from 10 to 11 per year; (3) increase of 
approximately 690 Soldiers and add capability to increase training 
rotations from 10 to 12 per year; and (4) increase of approximately 
5,000 Soldiers and add capability to increase training rotations from 
10 to 12 per year. The alternatives also include construction of new 
facilities, an increase in installation operations, and an adjustment 
of institutional programs to support realigned units and organizations. 
The No Action Alternative is described and its environmental impacts 
fully assessed and considered.
    Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the alternatives have 
been considered in the Draft PEIS. The Draft PEIS identifies 
significant impacts of each of the four alternative HBCT transformation 
scenarios. Potential impacts of concern regarding transformation 
activities (not in priority order) are: water supply, air quality, land 
uses, utility system capacities, traffic increases, and increase in 
hazardous material usage and hazardous waste generation. Impacts from 
alternatives would result from new construction, additional rotations, 
and additional personnel. Significant impacts to resources would be 
direct and long term. The No Action Alternative provides the baseline 
conditions for comparison to the other action alternatives. Additional 
concerns or impacts may be identified as a result of comments received 
on this Draft PEIS.
    Public comment meetings on the Draft PEIS will be held with exact 
dates and locations to be determined and published in the local news 
media, via public notices or mailings well in advance of the meetings.

    Dated: June 27, 2008.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E8-15185 Filed 7-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M