[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 96 (Friday, May 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 29124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11732]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Implementation 
of Energy, Water, and Solid Waste Sustainability Initiatives at Fort 
Bliss, Texas and New Mexico

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army proposes to implement Net Zero 
energy, water and waste initiatives by 2020 at Fort Bliss to meet 
mandates for renewable energy production and greenhouse gas emissions 
reductions. In doing so, the Army will increase Fort Bliss' energy and 
water security, supporting the military mission into the future. Fort 
Bliss would not lose any training capability as a result of Net Zero 
project implementation. The Proposed Action consists of multiple, 
related, and interconnected projects to achieve Net Zero goals, comply 
with federal and Army energy mandates, and meet the Army's energy and 
water security objectives.
    The Army's proposed energy, water, and waste initiatives that could 
reasonably be expected to move forward in the next three to eight years 
consist of implementation of conservation policies and procedures 
(Alternative 2); construction of a water reclamation pipeline 
(Alternative 3); construction and operation of a waste-to-energy plant 
(Alternative 4); construction and operation of a geothermal energy 
facility (Alternative 5); and, construction of dry-cooled concentrating 
solar power technology (Alternative 6). Alternative 7 proposes 
implementation of other renewable energy technologies and projects that 
are compatible with installation planning criteria and address 
potential future renewable energy, water, and waste technology actions 
at a programmatic level. If implemented, Alternative 7 actions may 
require further National Environmental Policy Act analysis. The 
Proposed Action initiatives (Alternatives 2 through 7) would work to 
enhance the overall sustainability and security of Fort Bliss.

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

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Dr. John Kipp, Fort 
Bliss Directorate of Public Works, Attention: IMBL-PWE (Kipp), Building 
624 Pleasonton Road, Fort Bliss, Texas 79916; email: 
[email protected]; fax: (915) 568-3548.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact Ms. Donita Kelley, Fort 
Bliss Public Affairs Office, Attention: IMBL-PA (Kelley), Building 15 
Slater Road, Fort Bliss, Texas 79916; phone: (915) 568-4505; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Army examined the potential 
environmental impacts from implementing multiple, related, and 
interconnected proposed projects that could be taken to implement Net 
Zero energy, water, and waste initiatives, comply with federal and Army 
energy mandates, and meet the Army's energy and water security 
objectives. Not all projects discussed in the Draft EIS would be 
implemented to the full extent discussed in the document. Technological 
advancements, legislative changes, and other factors may result in 
revisions to the proposed projects discussed in the alternatives 
section.
    The proposed projects consist of six action alternatives (Proposed 
Action, Alternatives 2 through 7). The Draft EIS also analyzes the 
potential environmental impacts of the No Action Alternative 
(Alternative 1) and the cumulative impacts of the Proposed Action in 
combination with other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future 
actions.
    Potentially significant impacts discussed for the Proposed Action 
include possible effects to air quality, vegetation, archeological 
sites, soils, land use, and traffic. Of these, all but land use (as a 
result of converting training land to developed land) are anticipated 
to be mitigable to less than significant. Air quality also has 
potentially beneficial impacts discussed for the Proposed Action, as 
does energy demand and generation, socioeconomics, water supply 
sources, water demand, and wastewater reuse. To determine the extent of 
impacts to biological and cultural resources, the Army is consulting 
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas and New Mexico State 
Historic Preservation Offices, Tribes, and other consulting parties.
    Cooperating Agencies: The US Air Force (Holloman Air Force Base 
[AFB]) is a cooperating agency on the Draft EIS. Some of the proposed 
projects considered in the alternatives evaluated could affect Holloman 
AFB units that use Fort Bliss ranges and airspace for training 
operations.
    Public Meetings and Public Comments: Public meetings on the Draft 
EIS will be held in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. 
Notifications of the times and locations for the public meetings will 
be published in local newspapers and the environmental link on the Fort 
Bliss Web site https://www.bliss.army.mil/DPW/Environmental/EISDocuments2.html.
    Native Americans, federal, state, and local agencies, 
organizations, and the public are invited to be involved in the process 
for the preparation of this EIS by participating in public meetings 
and/or submitting written comments on the Draft EIS to the above 
address by the end of the 45-day public comment period.
    Copies of the Draft EIS are available at the following libraries: 
Alamogordo Public Library, El Paso Main Library, Irving Schwartz Branch 
Library, New Mexico State University Zuhl Library, Richard Burges 
Branch Library, Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, and University of 
Texas at El Paso Library. The Draft EIS may also be accessed at http://ftblissnetzeroeis.net/index.html or https://www.bliss.army.mil/DPW/Environmental/EISDocuments2.html.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-11732 Filed 5-16-13; 8:45 am]
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