[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 156 (Monday, August 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 48131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19727]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Draft Finding of No Significant Impact and Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment for the Implementation of the Net Zero Program 
at Army Installations

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the 
Draft Finding of No Significant Impact and the Final Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Implementation of the Net Zero 
program at Army Installations. This PEA evaluates potential direct, 
indirect, and cumulative effects of the Net Zero Installation program 
at a programmatic (Army-wide) level; installation- or project-specific 
analysis will be performed and documented for proposed installation-
level action.
    The Net Zero program is comprised of changes in management 
practices and behavior as well as multiple possible projects and 
technologies to enhance resource efficiency with a broad focus on 
increased sustainability. It is based on the following concepts: (1) 
Producing at least as much energy on the installation from renewable 
sources as it uses annually; (2) Limiting the consumption of freshwater 
resources and returning water back to the same watershed so as not to 
deplete the groundwater and surface water resources of that region in 
quantity or quality; and (3) Reducing, reusing, and recovering waste 
streams, converting them to resource value with zero solid waste 
disposed in landfills. The Army does not consider Net Zero as a stand-
alone program and intends to leverage existing resources and 
collaborate with the private sector to strive toward the Net Zero 
program's energy, water, and waste reduction goals.
    The PEA assesses the potential environmental impacts from the range 
of energy, water, and waste projects that could be implemented in 
support of Net Zero. The Army evaluated three alternatives: (1) No 
action; (2) Implement Net Zero Army-wide; and (3) Strategically 
Implement Net Zero based on mission needs, consumption, and resource 
constraints (the preferred alternative). The Army identified no 
significant environmental effects associated with implementation of Net 
Zero that cannot be mitigated to a level of insignificance with site-
specific best management practices or other mitigation measures.
    Native Americans, federal, state, and local agencies, 
organizations, and the public are invited to submit written comments. 
The document can be accessed at: http://www.army.mil/asaiee.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 12, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be forwarded to: Office of the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Energy and Sustainability), 
OASA(IE&E), 110 Army Pentagon, Room 3D453, Washington, DC 20310-0110.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please call (703) 697-5433.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-19727 Filed 8-10-12; 8:45 am]
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