[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 3, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56823-56824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26301]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Fort Bliss Army Growth and Force Structure Realignment Draft; 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

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 identifying the potential environmental effects that would result 
from use of stationing and training capacity, land use changes, and 
training infrastructure improvements at Fort Bliss (Texas) to support 
Army growth and force structure realignment.
    The DEIS tiers from the Army Growth and Force Structure Realignment 
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (GTA PEIS), for which a 
Record of Decision was signed in 2007.

DATES: The public comment period for the DEIS will end 60 days after 
publication of this NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Mr. John F. Barrera, 
IMWE-BLS-PWE, Building 624, Taylor Road, Fort Bliss, TX 79916-6812; e-
mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jean Offutt, Public Affairs 
Officer, IMWE-BLS-PA; Fort Bliss, TX 79916-6812; telephone: (915) 568-
6812; fax: (915) 568-2995; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action would support the growth 
of the Army and allow for reasonably foreseeable future stationing 
actions, land use changes, and training infrastructure improvements 
that take advantage of the varied terrain at Fort Bliss; full suite of 
training ranges; collocation with heavy, light, and aviation combat 
units; and collocation with various support units.
    Three categories of interrelated alternatives are analyzed in this 
document: stationing/training; land use changes; and training 
infrastructure improvements. Each category contains a No Action 
alternative and several action alternatives.
    The stationing/training category of alternatives analyzes the 
stationing decision made in the GTA PEIS, with deployment (some units 
will not be present and training at Fort Bliss) and without deployment 
(assumes all units assigned to Fort Bliss will be there and training) 
scenarios. The document also

[[Page 56824]]

analyzes reasonably foreseeable future growth at Fort Bliss, including 
adding one or more Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and additional support 
units.
    Land uses analyzed in the Fort Bliss DEIS are primarily focused in 
the rugged terrain of northeast McGregor Range, with minor changes in 
the southeast and Tularosa Basin portions of McGregor Range, for the 
purpose of supporting realistic and effective light infantry training. 
None of the proposed land use changes include the Culp Canyon 
Wilderness Study Area or the Black Grama Grassland Area of Critical 
Environmental Concern.
    Training infrastructure improvements analyzed in the DEIS include 
construction of additional firing ranges and expansion or construction 
of administrative and training support facilities to support the units 
stationed at Fort Bliss.
    Actions analyzed in this document would result in a range of 
potential impacts. Erosion would increase substantially on range roads 
interior to the Fort Bliss Training Complex, requiring more frequent 
maintenance. The most expansive stationing alternative analyzed may, as 
a result of high tempo training schedules, reduce Native American 
access to areas of the installation in which they have an ongoing 
interest. The proposed action would, in certain alternatives, result in 
a small increase in the economic benefit provided by growth of the 
installation, and a small decrease in certain quality of life 
indicators (e.g., traffic, access to government services). Use of 
restricted airspace for military training would increase under certain 
alternatives, further limiting access of general and commercial 
aviation. Training related noise remains significant in areas adjacent 
to Dona Ana Range and portions of McGregor Range.
    The DEIS and other environmental documents are available on the 
Fort Bliss Web site (https://www.bliss.army.mil/) or in the following 
libraries: In El Paso, TX, the Richard Burges Regional Library, 9600 
Dyer; the Irving Schwartz Branch Library, 1865 Dean Martin; the Clardy 
Fox Branch Library, 5515 Robert Alva; and the Doris van Doren Regional 
Branch Library, 551 Redd Road. In Las Cruces, NM, the New Mexico State 
University Zuhl Library at 2999 McFie Circle. In Alamogordo, NM, the 
Alamogordo Public Library, 920 Oregon Avenue.
    Public meetings to receive comments on the DEIS will be announced 
through regional newspapers and other public affairs outlets. These 
meetings will be held in Alamogordo, Chaparral, and Las Cruces, New 
Mexico, and in El Paso, Texas, and are expected to occur in November 
2009.

    Dated: October 26, 2009.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E9-26301 Filed 11-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M