[Federal Register: March 8, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 46)]
[Notices]
[Page 10690-10691]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08mr02-48]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS)--Army
Transformation
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
Final PEIS for Army Transformation.
The PEIS details the environmental concerns which may affect
various aspects of Army transformation including, but not limited to:
unit location; materiel acquisition and testing; training areas; range
requirements; and strategic deployment.
DATES: Written comments received within 30 days of the publication of
this Notice of Availability by the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) in the Federal Register for this action will be considered by the
Army during final decision making.
ADDRESSES: To obtain a copy of the PEIS write to Headquarters,
Department of the Army, ATTN: DAMO-FMF (Mr. Jim Lucas), 400 Army
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-0400 or access the Army Homepage at
www.army.mil/a-z.htm, and scroll to Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement. The PEIS has been posted at this website to facilitate
public access and comment. Comments may also be provided to the address
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jim Lucas, (703) 692-4653 or by
writing to Headquarters, Department of the Army, ATTN: Army G-3 (DAMO-
FMF), 400 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-0400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The prospect of a rapidly changing and more
turbulent, unpredictable, global security environment underscores the
need for a high level of U.S. defense preparedness. To meet the
challenges of a wider range of threats and a more complex set of
operating environments, the U.S. will require an Army capable of rapid
response and dominance across the entire spectrum of operations in
joint,
[[Page 10691]]
interagency, and multinational configurations. Today's Army force
structure and supporting systems were designed for a different era and
enemy. They lack the capability to operate optimally across the full
range of likely future operations. The Army's superb heavy forces are
unequalled in their ability to gain and hold terrain in the most
intense, direct fire combat imaginable, and, once deployed, are the
decisive element in major theater wars. The current heavy forces,
however, are challenged to get to contingencies where we have not laid
the deployment groundwork; and once deployed, these forces have a large
logistical footprint. On the other hand, the Army's current light
forces can strike quickly but lack survivability, lethality and
tactical mobility once inserted. Therefore, to meet the defense
challenges of the future and provide the National Command Authority the
decisive land power forces necessary to support the National Security
Strategy and National Military Strategy, the Secretary of the Army and
the Chief of Staff of the Army have articulated a clear Army Vision
that includes transforming the most respected Army in the world into a
strategically responsive force that is dominant across the full
spectrum of operations.
The Army proposes to implement transformation as rapidly as
possible, while continually maintaining the warfighting readiness of
its operational forces, improving its installations and business
practices, and taking care of its people. The proposed program of Army
transformation would be the mechanism used to integrate and synchronize
the implementation of the Army Vision. To validate early transformation
concepts, an initial force of two brigade combat teams at Fort Lewis,
Washington, is receiving off-the-shelf equipment to support evaluation
and refinement of new doctrinal organizational concepts. An interim
force of six to eight brigade combat teams will following the future.
The Interim Force would be a transition force--one that seeks the
objective force state-of-the-art technology, but leverages today's
technology together with modernized legacy forces as a bridge to the
future. The objective force would be the force that achieves our
transformation objective. It would be a future force that would be a
strategically responsive Army capable of dominating at every point
across the full spectrum of operations and rapidly transitioning across
mission requirements without loss of momentum. It would be able to
operate as an integral member of joint, multinational, interagency
teams and would be dominant against the asymmetric application of
conventional, unconventional, and weapons of mass destruction threat
capabilities.
The PEIS complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
of 1969. Implementation of the Army transformation, as envisioned, will
be a major undertaking entailing a series of changes in equipment,
force structure and training practices. As changes are proposed for
specific sites and for equipment acquisition and testing, there will
likely be a range of adverse and beneficial effects on the environment.
The PEIS informs the public, regulators, concerned groups and Army
decision-makers about potential environmental concerns that should be
factored into all aspects of Army transition. Additionally, the PEIS
provides all stakeholders with an opportunity to present their views to
Army decision makers.
Alternatives: (1) No Action Alternative: Whereby Army
transformation would not be implemented and needed changes to Army
equipment, force structure and training practices would be separately
analyzed on a piecemeal basis; (2) Action Alternative: Whereby Army
transformation, as envisioned by Army decision-makers, would be
implemented to better meet present and future national security
requirements and fulfill the Army Vision.
Significant issues: The PEIS addresses issues including noise,
impacts to wetlands and riparian areas, soil erosion, air and water
quality, endangered species, and cultural resources.
Public Comment: Comments received as a result of the NOA will be
used to assist the Army in final decision making. Individuals or
organizations may participate in this process by written comment by
mail or by facsimile through the Army Homepage web site www.army.mil/a-
z.htm, scrolling to Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. To be
considered in the final decision making process, comments and
suggestions should be received no later than 30 days following the EPA
announcement of the availability of the PEIS in the Federal Register.
Questions regarding this PEIS may be directed to Headquarters,
Department of the Army at the above address or by facsimile
transmission to (703) 692-4735.
Dated: March 1, 2002.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health) OASA (I&E).
[FR Doc. 02-5552 Filed 3-7-02; 8:45 am]
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