[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 64 (Monday, April 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17133-17134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7452]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Training Range 
and Garrison Support Facilities Construction and Operation at Fort 
Stewart, GA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA).

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army has prepared a DEIS to analyze the 
environmental and socioeconomic impacts resulting from the proposed 
construction of 12 range projects and 2 garrison support facilities at 
Fort Stewart, Georgia. Completion of these projects will better allow 
the Army to support Soldier training requirements and will support Fort 
Stewart's existing and future units. Construction of these projects 
will help to ensure Fort Stewart can meet unit training requirements if 
and when the pace of operational deployments slows.

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

ADDRESSES: For further information regarding the EIS, please contact 
Mr. Charles Walden, Project Manager, Directorate of Public Works, 
Prevention and Compliance Branch, Environmental Division, 1550 Frank 
Cochran Drive, Building 1137-A, Fort Stewart, Georgia

[[Page 17134]]

31314-4928. Written comments may be mailed to this address or e-mailed 
to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Dina McKain, Public Affairs 
Office, at (912) 435-9874 during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To meet the needs of the Soldiers at Fort 
Stewart, additional ranges and garrison support facilities are 
required. This DEIS examines the potential environmental and 
socioeconomic impacts of the construction and operation of 12 ranges 
and 2 garrison support facilities to be constructed over a 4-year time 
period. It also examines potential impacts to surrounding lands and/or 
local communities.
    The DEIS evaluates the following: A Multipurpose Machine Gun Range, 
an Infantry Platoon Battle Course, a Known Distance Range, two Modified 
Record Fire Ranges, a Qualification Training Range, an Infantry Squad 
Battle Course, a Fire and Movement Range, a Digital Multipurpose 
Training Range, a 25 Meter Zero Range, a Combat Pistol Range, and a 
Convoy Live-Fire Course and associated engagement boxes. The Garrison 
Support Facilities are a Sky Warrior Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) 
facility and a 10th Engineering Battalion Complex, which would be 
constructed in the cantonment area.
    Three alternatives are considered: Alternative A--No Action, and 
two action alternatives (Alternatives B and C). The No Action 
Alternative is to continue the current mission and support activities 
already occurring at Fort Stewart. The action alternatives would 
greatly enhance Soldier training and overall unit readiness. 
Alternatives B and C offer different sitings for the ranges and 
garrison support facilities. Specified screening criteria were applied 
to each alternative to ascertain and rate the impact, from both an 
environmental and an operational perspective. Where possible, 
Alternative B sites tend to utilize footprints of existing ranges, 
limit the isolation of useful maneuver terrain, be located in relative 
close proximity to the cantonment area for operational tempo, and 
utilize the existing impact area without creating any new impact areas. 
Alternative C sites tend to locate ranges on new ground where there has 
not been a range in the past. Alternative C sites also have a greater 
impact on training, range operation, off-site noise, and environmental 
resources. Overall, Alternative B will not have as severe an 
environmental impact as Alternative C, although some individual sites 
may. After consideration of all anticipated operational and 
environmental impacts, Alternative B is the Army's preferred 
alternative.
    Impacts are analyzed for a wide range of environmental resource 
areas including, but not limited to, air quality, noise, water 
resources, biological resources (to include protected species), 
cultural resources, socioeconomics, infrastructure (utilities and 
transportation), land use, solid and hazardous materials/waste, and 
cumulative environmental effects. No significant impacts are 
anticipated on any of these environmental resources.
    The Army invites the public to comment on the DEIS and to 
participate in public meetings which will be announced in local news 
media. The DEIS is available at local libraries surrounding Fort 
Stewart and the document may also be accessed at http://www.Fortstewart-mmp.eis.com. Comments from the public will be 
considered before any decision is made regarding implementing the 
proposed action at Fort Stewart.

    Dated: March 19, 2010.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 2010-7452 Filed 4-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P