[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 83 (Friday, May 1, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 20291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9916]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for Stationing and Training of Increased Aviation 
Assets Within U.S. Army Alaska

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of a 
DEIS for the implementation of the decisions to increase numbers and 
types of aviation assets and training at Fort Wainwright, Fort 
Richardson or other military installations in Alaska. The proposed 
aviation unit, an Aviation Task Force or Combat Aviation Brigade, would 
potentially consist of up to 62 medium and heavy lift helicopters, 30 
combat scout helicopters, 24 attack helicopters, and between 1,200 to 
2,850 personnel.

DATES: The public comment period ends 45 days following publication of 
a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be forwarded to Ms. Carrie McEnteer, 
Directorate of Public Works, Attention: IMPA-FWA-PWE, 1060 Gaffney Road 
4500, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703-4500, by fax at (907) 353-
9867, or by e-mail at carrie.mcenteerus.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Linda L. Douglass, Public Affairs 
Office, 1060 Gaffney Road 5900, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703-
5900; telephone: (907) 353-6701 or (907) 384-2546, e-mail: 
linda.douglassusarmy.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action and analysis in the EIS 
includes the reorganization of existing aviation assets (approximately 
640 personnel and 30 medium and heavy lift helicopters) in U.S. Army 
Alaska (USARAK) to become a frontline aviation unit with an increased 
capacity that could range in size from an Aviation Task Force 
(approximately 1,200 personnel, 40 medium and heavy lift helicopters 
and 30 combat scout helicopters) to a Combat Aviation Brigade 
(approximately 2,850 personnel, 60 medium and heavy lift helicopters, 
30 combat scout helicopters, and 24 attack aviation helicopters).
    While USARAK has historically supported unit training activities 
within Alaska with rotary-winged aircraft (helicopters), the types and 
numbers of current assets are not sufficient to provide the full range 
of integrated tactical training required by the modern Brigade Combat 
Team. The proposed increase and reorganization of USARAK's aviation 
assets would resolve this shortcoming. The new aviation unit would 
provide key aviation assets for operational deployment abroad and would 
serve to enhance the training capability of USARAK's two Brigade Combat 
Teams by providing a local opportunity to conduct integrated training 
with multiple types of Army aviation assets.
    In addition to consideration of a No Action Alternative (use of 
existing aviation assets and infrastructure to support USARAK Brigade 
Combat Team training with no increase to current integrated land-air 
training capability), two additional alternatives are proposed as 
possible scenarios for the reorganization of existing USARAK aviation 
assets. The alternatives vary by aviation unit size, aviation asset 
composition and stationing location. Alternatives include: (1) 
Expansion of Existing Aviation Units into an Aviation Task Force--
convert existing USARAK aviation assets into an Aviation Task Force 
(station approximately 1,200 personnel and 30 additional helicopters, 
build sufficient new infrastructure to support the new aviation 
inventory at Fort Wainwright and conduct increased aviation training on 
existing Alaska military training lands and ranges); and (2) Expansion 
of Existing Aviation Assets into a Combat Aviation Brigade with 
stationing of Soldiers and helicopters at Fort Wainwright, Fort 
Richardson and Eielson Air Force Base--convert existing USARAK aviation 
assets into a Combat Aviation Brigade (station approximately 2,850 
personnel and an additional 84 helicopters at the three military 
installations, build sufficient new infrastructure only at Fort 
Wainwright to support the new aviation inventory and conduct increased 
aviation training on existing Alaska military training lands and 
ranges). After reviewing the alternatives presented in the DEIS, the 
Army has selected the Aviation Task Force alternative as its preferred 
alternative.
    The DEIS is available for public review at local libraries and at 
the following Web site: http://www.usarak.army.mil/conservation/NEPA_home.htm. Comments from the public will be considered before any final 
decision is made.

    Dated: April 20, 2009.
Addison D. Davis IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health.
[FR Doc. E9-9916 Filed 4-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M