[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55592-55593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25256]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Docket ID DOD-2017-OS-0037]


Notice of Availability for Finding of No Significant Impact for 
the Environmental Assessment Addressing Divestment of Military Family 
Housing at Defense Distribution Center, Susquehanna

AGENCY: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of availability (NOA).

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SUMMARY: On August 9, 2017, DLA published a NOA in the Federal Register 
(82 FR 37199) announcing the publication of the Environmental 
Assessment (EA) Addressing Divestment of Military Family Housing (MFH) 
at Defense Distribution Center, Susquehanna. The EA was available for a 
30-day public comment period that ended September 8, 2017. The EA was 
prepared as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
of 1969. In addition, the EA complied with DLA Regulation 1000.22. No 
comments from the public were received during the EA public comment 
period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ira Silverberg at 703-767-0705 during 
normal business hours Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m. (EDT) or by email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DLA consulted with the Pennsylvania State 
Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) at the Pennsylvania Historical and 
Museum Commission and the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Cayuga 
Nation, Delaware Nation-Oklahoma, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, 
Onondaga Nation, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, Shawnee Tribe, 
Tuscarora Nation, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, Seneca Nation of Indians, 
Tonawanda Band of Seneca, and Osage Nation for this Proposed Action. 
The SHPO determined that the Proposed Action would have no effect on 
historic properties, as identified on the returned Project Review Form 
Request to Initiate SHPO Consultation on State and Federal 
Undertakings. The Shawnee Tribe provided a response concurring that no 
known historic properties would be adversely impacted by the Proposed 
Action. The Shawnee Tribe indicated they have no issues or concerns 
about the Proposed Action, but requested they be notified in the event 
that archaeological materials are encountered during construction, use, 
or maintenance at the MFH area at

[[Page 55593]]

which time the tribe would resume consultation. DLA did not receive 
responses to the consultation requests with the other tribes. An 
appendix was added to the EA that includes the SHPO and tribal 
consultation documents, and the responses from the SHPO and the Shawnee 
Tribe. The revised EA is available electronically at the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov within Docket ID: DOD-
2017-OS-0037.
    This FONSI documents the decision of DLA to divest MFH at Defense 
Distribution Center, Susquehanna. DLA has determined the Proposed 
Action is not a major federal action significantly affecting the 
quality of the human environment within the context of NEPA and no 
significant impacts on the human environment are associated with this 
decision.
    DLA completed an EA to address the potential environmental 
consequences associated with the proposed divestment of MFH at Defense 
Distribution Center, Susquehanna. This FONSI incorporates the EA by 
reference and summarizes the results of the analyses in the EA.
    Purpose of and Need for Action: The purpose of the Proposed Action 
is to eliminate real property that is no longer needed and reduce 
operational costs. The Proposed Action is needed because the MFH units 
are underutilized, outdated, and require a high level of maintenance. 
The current occupancy rate of the MFH is approximately 32 percent. A 
majority of the MFH buildings were constructed in the 1950s and are 
more than 55 years old, while other MFH buildings were constructed 
prior to 1950. These MFH units are costly to operate and maintain due 
to their age.
    Proposed Action and Alternatives: Under the Proposed Action, DLA 
would divest all MFH operations at Defense Distribution Center, 
Susquehanna. DLA would vacate remaining Department of Defense occupants 
(estimated to be approximately 8 MFH units in 2018) from the 
installation's total 124 MFH units (39 buildings), demolish 110 MFH 
units (27 buildings), and retain 14 MFH units (12 buildings) for 
administrative purposes. Associated bus stops and playground equipment 
would be demolished; however, sheds would be offered for reuse or sale, 
as appropriate, prior to demolition. All utility infrastructure, 
including electric, water, wastewater, natural gas, and communication 
services, within the MFH area would be removed and capped at the 
utility mains within adjacent roadways. Sidewalks, driveways, and on-
roadway parking spaces associated with demolished MFH buildings would 
be removed. Two garages, the roadways, and golf course areas within the 
MFH area would remain.
    Description of the No Action Alternative: Under the No Action 
Alternative, DLA would not divest MFH operations at Defense 
Distribution Center, Susquehanna. All existing MFH buildings and 
infrastructure (i.e., utilities, two garages, bus stops, playground 
equipment, and sheds) would remain in place and DLA would continue to 
operate the MFH. Because DLA stopped accepting MFH applications in 
December 2016, it is anticipated that eight MFH units would be occupied 
in 2018 and further attrition would eventually lead to an occupancy 
level of zero. Funding for operation and maintenance of the MFH would 
be applied only to the occupied units, utilities, two garages, 
playground equipment, and sheds associated with occupied units; the 
unoccupied MFH units, bus stops, and sheds associated with unoccupied 
units would continue to deteriorate. The No Action Alternative would 
not meet the purpose of and need for the Proposed Action.
    Potential Environmental Impacts: No significant effects on 
environmental resources would be expected from the Proposed Action. 
Insignificant, adverse effects on noise, air quality, water resources, 
biological resources, infrastructure and transportation, hazardous 
materials and wastes, and socioeconomics--housing would be expected. 
Insignificant, beneficial effects on air quality, water resources, 
infrastructure and transportation, and hazardous materials and wastes 
also would be expected. No effects on cultural resources would be 
expected. Details of the environmental consequences are discussed in 
the EA, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
    Determination: DLA has determined that implementation of the 
Proposed Action will not have a significant effect on the human 
environment. Human environment was interpreted comprehensively to 
include the natural and physical environment and the relationship of 
people with that environment. Specifically, no highly uncertain or 
controversial impacts, unique or unknown risks, or cumulatively 
significant effects were identified. Implementation of the Proposed 
Action will not violate any federal, state, or local laws. Based on the 
results of the analyses performed during preparation of the EA and 
consideration of comments received during the public comment period, 
Mr. Phillip R. Dawson, Acting Director, DLA Installation Management, 
concludes that divestment of MFH at Defense Distribution Center, 
Susquehanna, does not constitute a major federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment within the context of 
NEPA. Therefore, an environmental impact statement for the Proposed 
Action is not required.

    Dated: November 17, 2017.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2017-25256 Filed 11-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P