[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 27997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-12017]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Record of Decision (ROD) for the Development and Implementation 
of Range-Wide Mission and Major Capabilities at White Sands Missile 
Range (WSMR), NM

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability (NOA).

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the 
ROD that documents and summarizes the decision to proceed with 
implementing the Preferred Alternative (Alternative (1) identified in 
the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), including the 
following proposed land use changes: expansion of the Main Post and 
alterations in authorized uses of range areas; development of new and 
expanded infrastructure throughout the installation, and increase in 
the level of test activities; development of six new Specialized Areas 
(four for test operations and two to support small-scale military 
training); establishment of a Land Use and Airspace Strategy Plan and 
siting process for facilitating future tests and training activities at 
WSMR; and continued stationing of the Engineer Battalion and continued 
Main Post expansion for the Engineer Battalion, Brigade Combat Team 
(BCT) Modernization, and other ongoing tenant programs.

ADDRESSES: To request copies of the ROD, please contact: White Sands 
Test Center, Operations Office, Attention: Catherine Giblin, 124 
Crozier Street, Building 124, Room B-15, White Sands Missile Range, NM 
88002; fax: (575) 678-4082; e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monte Marlin, Public Affairs Office, 
Building 1782, Headquarters Avenue, White Sands Missile Range, NM 
88002; (575) 678-1134; or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The development and implementation of a land 
use and airspace plan is intended to more fully realize and integrate 
the capabilities of the WSMR primary mission (research, development, 
testing, and evaluation (RDTE)) with new training capabilities and 
potential future Army stationing decisions. Establishing new test and 
training capabilities requires changing land use designations within 
the current installation boundaries. These changes would support 
current and future requirements and allow off-road vehicle maneuver on 
designated portions of the installation. WSMR will maintain its current 
RDTE mission and continue to support testing objectives of all military 
services and Federal agencies.
    In addition to consideration of a No Action Alternative (current 
test capabilities and land use designations with current levels of 
operations and activities), the FEIS assessed an additional alternative 
(Alternative 2) that would include all of the actions included in the 
Preferred Alternative plus potential future stationing of a Heavy 
Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) (or comparable unit) by expanding the 
cantonment area and construction of supporting infrastructure and 
additional off-road maneuver areas for training on WSMR, On June 2, 
2009, the Secretary of the Army announced a decision not to station an 
HBCT at WSMR in 2013; however, it was decided to retain the analysis in 
this FEIS to support implementation of potential future stationing 
decisions. After reviewing the alternatives presented in the FEIS, the 
Army has made the decision to implement the Preferred Alternative.
    By choosing to implement the Preferred Alternative in the ROD, the 
Army expects direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts as a result of 
land use changes allowing for expanded off-road vehicle use, facilities 
and infrastructure construction, expanded test and training activities, 
and an increase in personnel to support expanded WSMR operations. 
Impacts analyzed include a wide range of environmental resource areas: 
land use, air quality, noise, geology and soils, water resources, 
biological resources, cultural resources, socioeconomics, 
transportation, utilities, hazardous and toxic substances, 
sustainability, and cumulative environmental effects. Significant 
impacts could occur to air quality, soils, water resources, biological 
resources, socioeconomic resources, transportation, and utilities.
    As part of the decision to implement the Preferred Alternative at 
WSMR, the Army will enact environmental mitigation measures to minimize 
the impacts of this decision, including the implementation and 
continuation of existing environmental management programs, use of best 
management practices, and other specific mitigation measures.
    The ROD outlines that the Preferred Alternative reflects the proper 
balance of initiatives for the protection of the environment, funding 
considerations, and the need for WSMR to expand its capabilities as a 
major range and test facility base to support future Army needs 
associated with Army Transformation, the Army Campaign Plan, 
modernization of the fighting force, Army Growth and Force Structure 
Realignment, Global Defense Posture Realignment, and other Army 
initiatives.
    The ROD is available online at http://www.wsmr.army.mil.

    Dated: May 12, 2010.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. 2010-12017 Filed 5-18-10; 8:45 am]
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