[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 4892]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01841]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Record of Decision for the Conversion of an Armor Brigade Combat 
Team to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson, CO

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 
Record of Decision (ROD) to convert an Armor Brigade Combat Team (BCT) 
to a Stryker BCT at Fort Carson, Colorado. The Deputy Chief of Staff of 
the Army, G-3/5/7 has reviewed the 2008 Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Permanent Stationing of the 2/25th Stryker Brigade 
Combat Team (2008 EIS), and has determined that the EIS adequately 
evaluated the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects 
associated with this conversion, and that no supplementation of the EIS 
is required. The ROD explains that the Army will expand on the decision 
made in 2008 to meet the changed needs of the Army and adjust to 
constantly evolving mission requirements, and discusses the potential 
environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with the Stryker BCT 
conversion.

ADDRESSES: The ROD can be obtained from http://aec.army.mil/Services/Support/NEPA/Documents.aspx. Written requests for a copy of the ROD 
should be addressed to: U.S. Army Environmental Command, Public Affairs 
Office, 2450 Connell Road (Building 2264), JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX 
78234-7664.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army 
Environmental Command, at (210) 466-1590 or by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Army announced on June 25, 2013 that it 
was reducing the number of Active Army BCTs from 45 to 33 over the next 
several years. As this overall reduction occurs, the Army will have to 
rebalance the remaining BCTs to retain the required mix of Infantry, 
Armor, and Stryker BCTs.
    Under Alternative C of the 2008 EIS, the Stryker BCT would have 
replaced the 4th BCT, 4th Infantry Division--an Infantry BCT at Fort 
Carson. Instead of replacing an Infantry BCT with a Stryker BCT, this 
decision converts an Armor BCT to a Stryker BCT. The ROD, which 
incorporates the 2008 EIS by reference, discusses the minor differences 
in equipment and training between the two scenarios and why the 2008 
analysis is adequate to support this decision.
    The potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of stationing 
a Stryker BCT at Fort Carson were analyzed in the 2008 EIS and 
addressed for both Fort Carson and Pi[ntilde]on Canyon Maneuver Site 
(PCMS). At Fort Carson, the 2008 EIS identified significant impacts in 
the areas of soil erosion, wildfire management, and air quality. At 
PCMS, the EIS found significant impacts could occur in the areas of 
soil erosion, wildfire management, and cultural resources.
    Because this action coincides with the inactivation of another BCT, 
the net number of Soldiers training at Fort Carson and PCMS will be 
less than anticipated in the 2008 EIS. The action also replaces M1 
tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles (BFVs) with lighter Stryker combat 
vehicles. In addition, no construction will be required for this action 
at either Fort Carson or PCMS. This means that the significant impacts 
predicted for Fort Carson and PCMS in the 2008 EIS will not be likely 
to occur. Site-specific National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
analysis on implementing this stationing decision will be prepared for 
both Fort Carson and PCMS.
    It is important to note that this action will not require any 
expansion of PCMS.
    All practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm 
identified in the 2008 EIS for the alternative of stationing the 
Stryker BCT at Fort Carson will be adopted, unless different measures 
are developed and identified in the site-specific NEPA documents.
    This action reduces heavy vehicle maneuver use at Fort Carson. The 
Stryker vehicles use less fuel than the M1 tanks and BFVs they are 
replacing. These factors will likely reduce dust and air pollution.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-01841 Filed 1-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P