[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 161 (Friday, August 21, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42289-42290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20120]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in Support of the Real 
Property Master Plan and Real Property Exchange for Camp Parks, Dublin, 
CA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: U.S. Army Garrison, Camp Parks, with cooperation from the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has prepared a 
Final EIS to evaluate alternatives for future development as part of a 
Real Property Master Plan (RPMP) at Camp Parks. Alternatives evaluated 
in the Final EIS include changes to land use for construction and 
training, and a Real Property Exchange (RPX) between Camp Parks and a 
developer in the surrounding community. The RPMP presents a land-use 
redevelopment plan for the Camp Parks cantonment area, with 
approximately 180 acres being transferred out of Federal ownership 
(approximately 171.5 acres is controlled by the U.S. Army and 8.5 acres 
is controlled by NASA).

DATES: The waiting period for the Final EIS will end 30 days after 
publication of an NOA in the Federal Register by the Environmental 
Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: To request a copy of the Final EIS, contact: U.S. Army 
Garrison Camp Parks, Environmental Office, Building 791 5th Street, 
Dublin, CA 94568-5201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Army property: Mr. Paul, (925) 875-
4682, or e-mail at [email protected]. NASA property: Dr. Ann 
Clarke, (650) 604-2350, or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FEIS evaluates three alternatives to 
support the redevelopment and land exchange of Camp Parks: (1) No 
Action Alternative--under which there would be no comprehensive plan or 
vision for overall Camp Parks development, but redevelopment would 
occur ad hoc as funds become available, and facilities would remain 
largely unchanged; (2) Slow Growth Alternative--under which Camp Parks 
would retain all its land holdings and gradually move toward developing 
facilities and activities identified in the RPMP with the southern 
cantonment area remaining an opportunity site for future planning; and 
(3) Accelerated Modernization Alternative (Preferred Alternative and 
the Proposed Action)--under which the construction of new facilities 
and ranges included in the RPMP would be partially funded using the 
value of the land exchange (180 acres of the southern cantonment area) 
from Federal to private ownership. The remainder of RPMP construction 
at Camp Parks would be programmed as military construction projects. 
NASA's in holding would be sold and proceeds of the sale would be used 
at its NASA-Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California.
    Camp Parks has prepared a RPMP that proposes a program for 
revitalizing the installation infrastructure and accelerating facility 
replacements. The RPMP proposes approximately 1.3 million square feet 
of new buildings/structures and approximately 370,000 square feet of 
parking area. The majority of the existing structures on Camp Parks 
were intended to be temporary when originally constructed and are 
considered inadequate for today's military personnel and lifestyles. 
The RPMP proposes the modernization of facilities to meet the troop 
training requirements and amenities that are consistent with the 
private sector.
    The Final EIS concludes that the No Action Alternative is not 
reasonable based on the antiquated infrastructure and buildings 
requiring excessive maintenance. The Final EIS also concludes that the 
Slow Growth Alternative (the incremental modernization using the 
existing cantonment area) is not reasonable since facility/activity 
upgrades would be prioritized and dependent on annual funding from 
Military Construction Army Reserve (MCAR) allocations and project 
proponents. MCAR funds are appropriated on an availability basis, which 
is not a regular or consistent occurrence.
    The Army's Preferred Alternative is the accelerated modernization 
of a redeveloped and compacted cantonment area using the value of the 
land exchange to partially fund RPMP construction activities. This 
alternative allows for a quick implementation of the

[[Page 42290]]

RPMP, while providing the necessary facilities and infrastructure 
upgrades for adequate training of military personnel in the Bay Area.
    Potential impacts from this action would include loss of non-native 
grasslands and modification of wetlands; loss of special-status 
species; traffic congestion at the Dublin Boulevard/Dougherty Road 
intersection; and air quality, socioeconomic, and visual impacts. 
Proposed mitigation measures are identified to reduce the severity and 
extent of potential impacts. A copy of the Final EIS is available at 
http://www.liggett.army.mil.

    Dated: August 14, 2009.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E9-20120 Filed 8-20-09; 8:45 am]
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