[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 198 (Friday, October 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60246-60247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23990]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for the Disposal and Reuse of Fort McPherson, Georgia

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA).

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army announces the availability of the DEIS, which 
evaluates the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the 
disposal and reuse of Fort McPherson, Georgia, pursuant to the 2005 
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission recommendation.

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

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments on the DEIS to: Victor Bonilla, 
BRAC Environmental Division, 2053 North D Avenue, Building 400, Fort 
Gillem, GA 302975161. E-mail comments should be sent to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Victor Bonilla, BRAC Environmental 
Division by telephone at (404) 469-3557, or by e-mail at the above 
address.

[[Page 60247]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 2005 BRAC Commission recommended the 
closure of Fort McPherson no later than 15 September 2011 and the 
relocation of tenant headquarters organizations to Fort Sam Houston, 
Texas; Fort Eustis, Virginia; Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base, North 
Carolina; and Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. The actions at those 
places are subject to separate NEPA analysis.
    Following closure, the property (approximately 487 acres) will be 
excess to Army needs. Accordingly, the Army proposes to dispose of its 
real property interests at Fort McPherson. The Army has recognized the 
McPherson Planning Local Redevelopment Authority (MPLRA) as the local 
reuse authority for reuse planning associated with Fort McPherson. The 
MPLRA released the Fort McPherson Outreach and Land Use Plan in 
September 2007. The plan is available electronically at http://www.mcphersonredevelopment.corn/comprehensive_reuse.html.
    The DES analyzed four alternatives: (1) Early Transfer--under which 
transfer and reuse of the property would occur before environmental 
remedial action has been completed; (2) Traditional Disposal--under 
which transfer and reuse of the property would occur once environmental 
remediation is complete for individual parcels of the installation; (3) 
Caretaker Status--would begin following the closure of the installation 
in the event that the Army is unable to dispose of the property. The 
maintenance of the property would be reduced to minimal activities 
necessary to ensure security, health, and safety, and to avoid physical 
deterioration of facilities; and (4) No Action, under which the Army 
would continue operations at Fort McPherson at levels similar to those 
occurring prior to the BRAC Commission's recommendation for closure. 
Three reuse scenarios, based on medium, medium-high, and high intensity 
levels of reuse, are evaluated as secondary actions of disposal of Fort 
McPherson. These reuse scenarios encompass the level of reuse expected 
under the MPLRA's reuse plan and higher and lower levels of reuse.
    For either of the transfer alternatives, moderate adverse effects 
would be expected to occur to aesthetics and visual resources, noise, 
water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, 
transportation, and utilities. Reuse analyzed in the DEIS could result 
in significant adverse effects in the areas of land use, air quality, 
socioeconomics, transportation, and utilities. The McPherson 
Implementation Redevelopment Authority is authorized to redevelop the 
installation in accordance with the Reuse Plan. Disposal of the 
property for reuse in accordance with the Reuse Plan would mitigate to 
less than significant the direct and cumulative impacts of disposal and 
reuse.
    The Army invites the public, tribal governments, local governments, 
and state and federal agencies to submit written comments or 
suggestions concerning the alternatives and analyses presented in the 
DEIS. The public and government agencies also are invited to 
participate in a public meeting where oral and written comments and 
suggestions will be received. A public meeting will be held at a 
convenient location near Fort McPherson. The date, time, and location 
will be announced in the local news media. Copies of the DEIS will be 
available for review at several local libraries prior to the public 
meeting. The DEIS may also be viewed at http://www.mcphersonredevelopment.org and http://www.hqda.army.mil/acsim/bractnepa_eis_docs.htm.

Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health).
 [FR Doc. E8-23990 Filed 10-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M