[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 156 (Wednesday, August 13, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47441-47442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19125]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Record of Decision for the Implementation of Energy, Water, and 
Solid Waste Sustainability Initiatives at Fort Bliss, TX and NM

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army and Fort Bliss announce the 
decision to proceed with the Preferred Alternative identified in the 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Implementation of 
Energy, Water, and Solid Waste Sustainability Initiatives, which allows 
Fort Bliss to implement Net Zero initiatives, comply with federal and 
Army energy mandates, and meet the Army's energy and water security 
objectives. The Record of Decision (ROD) explains the potential 
environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with the proposed 
action, which consists of multiple, related, and interconnected 
projects with the goal of conserving energy and water, and reducing 
waste production. The selected alternative provides the proper balance 
of initiatives for the protection of environmental and mission-
essential actions. The ROD also identifies mitigation that will reduce 
or eliminate adverse impacts.

ADDRESSES: The ROD can be obtained at https://www.bliss.army.mil/dpw/Environmental/EISDocuments2.html. Written requests to obtain a copy of 
the ROD should be addressed to Dr. John Kipp, Fort Bliss Directorate of 
Public Works, Attention: IMBL-PWE (Kipp), Building 624 Pleasonton Road, 
Fort Bliss, TX 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, TX 79916; phone: (915) 568-4505; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Army examined the potential 
environmental and socioeconomic 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 identified in the ROD would be 
implemented to the full extent discussed in the FEIS. Technological 
advancements, legislative changes, and other factors may result in 
revisions to the proposed projects.
    The selected action alternative consists of six action alternatives 
(Alternatives 2 through 7): 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. Alternative 4, 
waste-to-energy plant, was analyzed from a programmatic perspective 
only. The Army will conduct further analysis of specific sites, should 
it consider pursuing this type of technology in the future. As 
warranted, additional site-specific analyses will occur for other 
projects, as well.
    The ROD incorporates analyses contained in the FEIS for the 
Implementation of Energy, Water, and

[[Page 47442]]

Solid Waste Sustainability Initiatives, including comments provided 
during formal comment and review periods. As a result of comments made 
on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), changes in the FEIS 
included the removal of site-specific locations for a proposed waste-
to-energy plant, with analysis of the alternative now from a 
programmatic perspective only. The ROD contains a commitment to 
identify new potential sites and conduct further analysis, should the 
Army consider pursuing this type of technology in the future.
    Implementation of this decision is expected to result in direct, 
indirect, and cumulative impacts to Fort Bliss. Environmental impacts 
are expected as a result of construction and operation of renewable 
energy technologies and conservation policies and procedures. The 
potential for significant environmental impacts is greatest for 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) and soils (disturbance of up to 300 acres for 
construction of concentrating solar power arrays) are anticipated to be 
mitigable to less than significant. Potentially beneficial impacts are 
projected for air quality, energy demand and generation, 
socioeconomics, water supply sources, water demand, and wastewater 
reuse. To minimize the potential adverse impacts from implementation of 
the Proposed Action, the Army will mitigate these potential effects 
through a variety of strategies, as described in the ROD. All 
practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm from the 
selected alternatives have been adopted.
    The selected alternative provides the necessary policies, 
procedures, and infrastructure upgrades to meet DoD requirements. The 
decision provides the proper balance of initiatives for the protection 
of the environment and supports the U.S. Army's Net Zero initiatives in 
concert with supporting on-going and future mission requirements.
    The ROD contains a summary of the environmental impacts and 
rationale for the Army's decision.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-19125 Filed 8-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P