[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 191 (Monday, October 3, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 61120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-25331]


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POSTAL SERVICE


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment for Proposed Network Optimization, Nationwide; Notice of 
Public Scoping Period

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment; Notice of Public Scoping Period.

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SUMMARY: To comply with the requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA), the Postal Service intends to prepare a Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment (PEA) to assess the Network Optimization 
initiative (the ``Proposed Action''), which would create a more 
streamlined processing and distribution network using fewer facilities 
to handle reduced mail volume. The proposal also includes revisions to 
mailing standards. This PEA will evaluate the environmental impacts of 
the proposed action versus taking no action. Public input is sought on 
the scope of environmental issues to be addressed in the PEA.

DATES: Written scoping comments must be submitted by October 30, 2011. 
It is estimated that the Programmatic Environmental Assessment will be 
completed by January 20, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may submit written scoping comments or 
direct questions or requests for additional information to: Thomas G. 
Day, Chief Sustainability Officer, United States Postal Service, 475 
L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Room 2737, Washington DC, 20260; (202) 268-7488.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Purpose. This notice concerns the Network Optimization initiative 
and the intent of the Postal Service, pursuant to the requirements of 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, its implementing 
procedures at 39 CFR 775, and the President's Council on Environmental 
Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), to prepare a Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment to evaluate the environmental impacts of the 
proposed action versus taking ``no action.''
    Proposed Action. The Postal Service is exploring options to 
accelerate ongoing network optimization efforts. The recently announced 
Network Optimization initiative (herein referred to as the ``Proposed 
Action'') seeks to create a more streamlined processing and 
distribution network, using fewer facilities to handle the reduced mail 
volume. This initiative also includes proposals to revise mailing 
standards to better reflect the capacity of a new, smaller network and 
may result in numerous mail processing facility closures and network 
consolidations. The Proposed Action will be addressed programmatically 
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
    The proposal under consideration includes studying nearly 250 
processing facilities for possible consolidation or closure, reducing 
mail processing equipment by as much as 50 percent, dramatically 
decreasing the nationwide transportation network, adjusting the 
workforce size by as many as 35,000 positions, and revising service 
standards for mail services, including First-Class Mail from 1-3 days 
to 2-3 days.
    Alternatives that will be evaluated by the Postal Service in the 
PEA include the above-described Proposed Action and a ``No Action'' 
alternative. Under the ``No Action'' alternative, the Postal Service 
would maintain its current processing and distribution network and 
service standards. The Postal Service may consider other reasonable 
alternatives identified during the public scoping process.
    Additional information about the Network Optimization initiative, 
including a list of the facilities being studied for closure and 
consolidation, is located at the following URL: http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/our-future-network/welcome.htm.
    Hard copies of this information are available upon request.

Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2011-25331 Filed 9-30-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P