[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 149 (Friday, August 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43231-43232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16815]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of Army


Final Environmental Impact Statement and Finding of no 
Practicable Alternative for Implementation of Area Development Plan at 
Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia

AGENCY: Department of Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Army (Army) announces the availability of 
the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed 
implementation of an Area Development Plan (ADP) for Davison Army 
Airfield (DAAF) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In accordance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Final EIS analyzes the 
potential environmental impacts associated with implementing the 
construction, modernization, and demolition projects at DAAF 
recommended in the ADP (Proposed Action). A Finding of No Practicable 
Alternative (FONPA) addressing potential impacts on floodplains and 
wetlands was prepared in parallel with and is included as an appendix 
to the Final EIS. The Proposed Action would be implemented over an 
approximately 30-year time period to provide facilities and 
infrastructure necessary to support the ongoing and future missions of 
DAAF's tenants. The Proposed Action would improve the airfield's 
functional layout, demolish and replace aging facilities and 
infrastructure, and address multiple operational safety concerns along 
the runway. The ADP is specific to DAAF and all projects would occur 
entirely within its boundaries. No substantial changes in missions, air 
operations, or the number of aircraft and personnel at DAAF would occur 
under the Proposed Action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact: Ms. Wilamena G. 
Harback, Fort Belvoir Directorate of Public Works-Environmental 
Division (DPW-ED) via phone at (703) 806-3193 or (703) 806-0020, during 
normal working business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 
p.m. Further information may also be requested via email to: 
[email protected]. Electronic copies of the Final EIS and 
FONPA are available on Fort Belvoir's website at: https://home.army.mil/belvoir/index.php/about/Garrison/directorate-public-works/environmental-division.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS analyzes the potential 
environmental impacts of the Army's Proposed Action to implement the 
construction, modernization, and demolition projects recommended in the 
ADP. The Proposed Action would occur entirely within the 673-acre DAAF 
property on Fort Belvoir. Up to 24 ADP projects would be implemented in 
three sequential phases over the course of an approximately 30-year 
time period, as follows: Short-range (next 10 years), mid-range (11 to 
20 years from now), and long-range (21 to 30 years from now). No 
substantial changes in missions, air operations, or the number of 
aircraft and personnel at DAAF would occur under the Proposed Action. 
Operational noise levels following implementation of the Proposed 
Action would remain similar to current conditions.
    The Proposed Action includes the construction of new hangars, 
administrative and operational facilities; the modernization of 
existing facilities; the demolition of up to 37 existing buildings and 
structures; and related infrastructure improvements. Demolition 
activities would remove a number of facilities that partially obstruct 
the airfield's Primary and Transitional Surfaces, which are required to 
be free of obstructions in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) 
operational safety criteria. These facilities require temporary safety 
waivers to operate.
    The Final EIS assesses the direct, indirect, and cumulative 
potential environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action. In 
support of the Final EIS, the Army conducted consultation to obtain 
regulatory concurrence in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered 
Species Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and 
Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act.
    The Army evaluated several alternatives for the Proposed Action 
before selecting two action alternatives for detailed analysis in the 
Final EIS: The Full Implementation Alternative and the Partial 
Implementation Alternative. A No Action Alternative was also carried 
forward for analysis.
    1. Full Implementation Alternative (Preferred Alternative): This 
alternative would implement the complete suite of 24 projects 
recommended in the DAAF ADP. The Full Implementation Alternative would 
accommodate the space and functional needs of all DAAF tenants 
consistent with applicable DoD requirements. It would also fulfill 
DAAF's vision to create a safe, secure, sustainable, and consolidated 
aviation complex.
    2. Partial Implementation Alternative: This alternative would 
implement a modified, reduced program of 15 ADP projects at DAAF. The 
Partial Implementation Alternative would not address DAAF's tenants' 
requirements in full, but would substantially improve conditions.
    Under the No Action Alternative, the Army would not implement the 
DAAF ADP; existing conditions at the airfield would continue for the 
foreseeable future. The No Action Alternative does not meet the 
Proposed Action's purpose and need, but was analyzed in the Final EIS 
to provide a baseline for the comparison of impacts from the Full and 
Partial Implementation Alternatives.
    The Final EIS analyzed the Proposed Action's potential impacts on 
land use, aesthetics, and coastal zone management; historic and 
cultural resources; air quality; noise; geology, topography, and soils; 
water resources; biological resources; health and safety; and hazardous 
materials and waste.

[[Page 43232]]

    The Final EIS determined that the Full Implementation Alternative 
and Partial Implementation Alternative would have potentially 
significant adverse impacts on waters of the U.S., including wetlands, 
from the construction and operation of new facilities and 
infrastructure. Adverse impacts on all other resources analyzed in the 
Final EIS, including the 100-year floodplain on DAAF, would be less-
than-significant under either action alternative. Adherence to 
applicable regulatory permitting requirements would mitigate 
significant adverse effects on waters of the U.S. to the extent 
possible. Management measures would be implemented to avoid or minimize 
less-than-significant adverse impacts on all other resources. Both 
action alternatives would have beneficial effects on land use, plans, 
and aesthetics, and the management of hazardous materials and waste on 
the airfield.
    In compliance with Executive Order (E.O.) 11988, Floodplain 
Management and E.O. 11990, Protection of Wetlands, the Army prepared a 
FONPA explaining its decision to implement the Proposed Action in the 
100-year floodplain and wetlands on DAAF.
    The Army conducted a 45-day public review and comment period for 
the Draft EIS and Draft FONPA between July 24 and September 8, 2020, 
including two publicly accessible teleconferences on August 24, 2020. 
Comments received during the public comment period were considered by 
the Army and are addressed accordingly in the Final EIS. None of the 
comments required substantive changes to the Proposed Action, 
alternatives, or impact analysis.
    The Final EIS and FONPA are being made available to the public for 
30 days in accordance with the Army NEPA regulations under 32 CFR 651. 
Electronic copies of these documents will be available for review or 
download on Fort Belvoir's website at: https://home.army.mil/belvoir/index.php/about/Garrison/directorate-public-works/environmental-division. Due to closures of public facilities associated with the 
COVID-19 pandemic, printed copies of the Final EIS and FONPA will not 
be made available at local public libraries. A printed copy of the 
Final EIS or FONPA may be requested from Fort Belvoir DPW-ED at the 
phone number or email address provided above.
    The Army will prepare and publish its Record of Decision (ROD) for 
the Proposed Action no sooner than 30 days after the publication of 
this NOA for the Final EIS. The ROD will identify the Environmentally 
Preferred Alternative, the Army's Selected Alternative for implementing 
the Proposed Action, and the mitigation and protective measures that 
will be incorporated to prevent or minimize potential adverse impacts. 
Publication of the ROD will formally conclude the NEPA process for the 
DAAF ADP EIS.

James W. Satterwhite Jr.,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-16815 Filed 8-5-21; 8:45 am]
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