[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 197 (Friday, October 9, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64133-64134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22368]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Draft Environmental Impact Statement Addressing Heat and 
Electrical Upgrades at Fort Wainwright, Alaska

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of the 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the environmental 
planning process to address heat and electrical upgrades at Fort 
Wainwright, Alaska. The current condition of the heat and power plant, 
one of the oldest coal-fired central heat and power plants (CHPP) in 
the United States, and its aging heat distribution system requires an 
upgrade to provide reliable heat and electrical infrastructure for the 
installation that resolves safety, resiliency, fiscal, and regulatory 
concerns. The Draft EIS evaluates reasonable alternatives, potential 
environmental impacts, and key issues of concern. A preferred 
alternative is not identified at this time. Comments received on the 
Draft EIS will be fully considered prior to determining which 
alternative would be the Army's preferred alternative, a preference 
that will be identified when the Final EIS is published.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 8, 2020 to be considered 
in the preparation of the Final EIS.

ADDRESSES: Please submit written comments to Laura Sample, NEPA Program 
Manager at: Directorate of Public Works, ATTN: IMFW-PWE (L. Sample), 
1046 Marks Road #4500, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703-4500, email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact Grant Sattler, Public 
Affairs Office, IMPC-FWA-PAO (Sattler), 1060 Gaffney Road #5900, Fort 
Wainwright, AK 99703-5900; telephone (907) 353-6701; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fort Wainwright, Alaska is located in the 
interior of Alaska in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, and is home to 
the U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Alaska and units of United States Army 
Alaska (USARAK). The soldiers, families, and civilians that make up the 
Fort Wainwright population are reliant upon a 65-year old coal-fired 
CHPP and an antiquated heat distribution system to heat and power more 
than 400 facilities. The CHPP is one of the oldest operational coal-
fired power plants in the United States and is operating beyond the 
average design life of similar facilities. Constructing upgraded heat 
and electrical infrastructure would reduce utility costs, minimize the 
risk of a catastrophic failure, help safeguard mission readiness, meet 
energy efficiency standards, be compliant with emissions standards, and 
conform to Army-directed energy security criteria.
    The Army identified three reasonable Action Alternatives that would 
meet the purpose of and need for the Proposed Action. Alternatives 
considered in the Draft EIS, including a No Action Alternative, are (1) 
construction of a new coal-fired CHPP, (2) construction of a new dual-
fuel combustion turbine generator CHPP that would be primarily fueled 
by natural gas, and (3) decentralization of heat and power in which 
heat would be provided by distributed natural gas boilers installed at 
facilities across the installation and electricity would be purchased 
from a local utility provider.
    The Draft EIS evaluates the potential direct, indirect, and 
cumulative environmental and socioeconomic impacts of these 
alternatives. Adverse impacts would be minimized to the extent possible 
through implementation of the avoidance, minimization, and mitigation 
measures.
    Resource areas analyzed in the Draft EIS include: Air quality, 
utilities, hazardous and toxic materials and wastes, socioeconomics, 
environmental justice, noise, land use, transportation and traffic, 
human health and safety, geology and soil resources, water resources, 
cultural resources, and airspace.
    Unavoidable environmental impacts would result from implementation 
of the Proposed Action. Significant, adverse impacts would be 
anticipated for socioeconomics (Alternatives 2 and 3, reduced coal 
demand), environmental justice (Alternatives 2 and 3, reduced coal 
demand), and cultural resources (Alternative 3, utilidor upgrades in 
Ladd Field National Historic Landmark). Less than significant, adverse 
impacts include increases in water turbidity; disturbance of sediments; 
noise from construction; localized habitat degradation; soil 
disturbance and erosion; stormwater runoff into surface water; and 
increased traffic, air emissions, and noise associated with 
construction vehicles and activities. Beneficial impacts would be 
anticipated for utilities (increased heating efficiency and improved 
system reliability). Under the No Action alternative, significant, 
adverse impacts would be anticipated for utilities, environmental 
justice, and human health and safety due to continued risk of plant 
failure.
    Federal, state, and local agencies; Alaska Natives; Native 
Americans; Native American organizations and tribes; private 
organizations; and the public are invited to be involved in this EIS 
process by providing verbal or written comments. An online open house 
is available at https://home.army.mil/alaska/index.php/fort-wainwright/NEPA/HEU-EIS and a virtual public meeting will be announced locally. 
The date and time of the virtual public participation will be announced 
via Fairbanks and Healy, Alaska local news media and on digital 
platforms. Holding the public comment meeting virtually is required 
because of COVID-19 safety concerns.
    An electronic copy of the Draft EIS is available online at: https://home.army.mil/alaska/index.php/fort-wainwright/NEPA/HEU-EIS. Copies of 
the Draft EIS will be available for review at the Noel Wien Library, 
1215 Cowles Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701; the Post Library, Building 
3700, Santiago Avenue, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703; and the Tri-Valley 
Community Library, 400 Suntrana Road, Healy, AK 99743, if these 
facilities are open. Copies of the Draft EIS are also available by 
submitting a request to: See ADDRESSES. Written comments must be sent 
within December 8, 2020. The Department of the Army will consider all 
comments received on the Draft EIS when preparing the Final EIS. As 
with the Draft EIS, the Department of the Army

[[Page 64134]]

will announce the availability of the Final EIS.

James W. Satterwhite Jr.,
Alternate Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-22368 Filed 10-8-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5061-AP-P