[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 63 (Friday, April 3, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 15257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7320]



[[Page 15257]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Mission and Master Planning Actions at Fort Stewart/Hunter Army 
Airfield, GA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The United States Army announces its intent to proceed with an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address known and reasonably 
anticipated changes in missions and operations at Fort Stewart/Hunter 
Army Airfield. This is necessary to analyze the cumulative 
socioeconomic and environmental impacts associated with a number of 
recent personnel stationing actions and changes in how the Army trains 
and deploys our nation's Soldiers. When the EIS is completed, it will 
also be used by Army decision makers as an important resource to 
consult when making future decisions about future land uses and 
operations at Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Ms. Melissa Kendrick, National 
Environmental Policy Act Specialist, Directorate of Public Works, 
Prevention and Compliance Branch, Environmental Division, 1550 Frank 
Cochran Drive, Building 1137-A, Fort Stewart, Georgia 31314-4928. 
Written comments may be mailed to that address or e-mailed to 
MeIissa.B.Kendrickus.army.mil. For media queries please contact Fort 
Stewart Public Affairs Office at (912) 435-9874 during normal business 
hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield, located 
in southeastern Georgia, is the largest Army installation east of the 
Mississippi River covering approximately 280,000 acres. Updates to the 
installation's mission and master planning process will allow the 
installation to continue to train Soldiers, protect valuable 
environmental and cultural resources, and minimize negative impacts to 
neighboring communities. The Army's intent in moving forward with this 
EIS is to provide decision makers with a comprehensive planning tool, a 
public information source, and a reference for mitigation.
    The proposed action involves constructing ranges and facilities to 
support military units assigned to Fort Stewart, accommodating current 
and future training requirements, and the updating of operational and 
management plans for training lands and infrastructure. The EIS will 
address the effects of the proposed activities beginning in FY11 and 
extending through FY14. Construction projects include ranges, 
cantonment expansion, Georgia Highway 144 by-pass, widening of Highway 
144, and other transportation improvements on Fort Stewart. The EIS 
will also include an assessment of Fort Stewart's alternative energy 
potential and will evaluate alternative energy projects which may be 
implemented at Fort Stewart in the future.
    Alternatives may consist of different locations on the installation 
for specific projects or modifications to those projects. Range 
projects will be located on areas currently dedicated to military 
training. The size of the cantonment area may increase. Alternatives 
will be developed during preparation of the Draft EIS and as a result 
of public input and environmental analysis.
    Several areas present the potential for significant impacts. Fort 
Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield land provides known or potential habitat 
for protected plant and wildlife species. Fort Stewart/Hunter Army 
Airfield provides habitat for 40 percent of the protected red-cockaded 
woodpecker in Georgia and intensively manages installation land to 
protect their habitat. Approximately 60 percent of the installation has 
been surveyed for cultural resources. As a result of these surveys, 
numerous sites have been recommended as eligible or potentially 
eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Another issue of 
concern is that approximately 30 percent of the installation is 
potentially wetlands.
    The EIS will analyze the potential impacts of the proposed action 
and the alternatives. 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, socioeconomic, utilities, land use, solid and 
hazardous materials/waste, and cumulative environmental effects. 
Additional resources and conditions may be identified as a result of 
the scoping process initiated by this Notice of Intent (NOI).
    The public will be invited to actively participate in the EIS 
process, which includes three scoping meetings to provide input on the 
proposed actions and alternatives. The public will also be invited to 
review and comment on the Draft EIS. Dates and times for these public 
involvement opportunities will be announced in the local news media. 
Comments from the public will be considered before any decision is made 
regarding implementing the proposed action at Fort Stewart/Hunter Army 
Airfield.
    The public scoping period will last for 30 days following the 
publication of this NOI in the Federal Register. Comments from the 
public will be considered before any decision is made regarding 
implementing the proposed action.

    Dated: March 20, 2009.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health).
 [FR Doc. E9-7320 Filed 4-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M