[Federal Register: February 8, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 25)]
[Notices]               
[Page 6060-6061]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08fe99-61]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

 
Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(FEIS) for the Land Exchange Between Fort Benning and the City of 
Columbus, GA

AGENCY: U.S. Army Infantry Center and Fort Benning, Department of the 
Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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[[Page 6061]]

SUMMARY: This announces the availability of the Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS) which assesses the potential environmental 
impacts of the exchange of tracts of land between Fort Benning and the 
City of Columbus (hereafter referred to as the City.) Section 2829 of 
Public Law 101-510, enacted November 5, 1990, authorized a land 
exchange between the City and Fort Benning. The proposed action is to 
transfer the North Tract (ranging in size from 2,113 acres to 2,760 
acres) to the City in exchange for the South Tract (ranging in size 
from 2,156 to 2,848 acres). The City intends to use the North Tract 
land for economic development and passive recreation. Fort Benning 
would use the land it receives for dismounted light infantry training.

DATES: Written comment received on or before March 10, 1999 for this 
action will be considered by the Army during final decision making.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the FEIS contact: U.S. Army Infantry 
Center, Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Management Division, 
(ATTN: Mr. John Brent), Fort Benning, Georgia 31905-5122, or send e-
mail to BrentJ@benning.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Army Infantry Center, Directorate 
of Public Works, Environmental Management Division, (ATTN: Mr. John 
Brent), Fort Benning, Georgia 31905-5122; telephone (706) 545-4766; e-
mail BrentJ@benning.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of the Army prepared a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which assessed the potential 
health and environmental impacts of each of five alternatives, 
including a ``No Action'' alternative, of this proposed action. A 
Notice of Availability was published on October 30, 1998 (63 FR 58380) 
outlining the five alternatives, and also providing notice that the 
DEIS was available for comment. Public information meetings were held 
on November 18 and 19 and December 8, 1998. Comments from the DEIS and 
public meetings have been considered and responses are included in this 
FEIS.
    On June 26, 1996, Fort Benning conveyed 346 acres to the City for 
landfill development in exchange for 380 acres, as authorized under the 
same enabling legislation as the currently proposed exchange. An 
Environmental Assessment was prepared pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, and a Finding of No 
Significant Impact was prepared for the landfill land exchange. This 
notice of availability pertains only to the remaining acreage of the 
proposed North-South Tract land exchange FEIS, which involves the 
remaining 2,760 acres of Fort Benning land (the North Tract) and 2,848 
acres of the City land (the South Tract). The FEIS includes an analysis 
of the cumulative environmental impacts from both the proposed North-
South Tract exchange and the complete landfill land exchange.
    The preferred alternative considered with the other four 
alternatives in this FEIS is Alternative V: Development of Reduced 
North Tract Without the Habitat Conservation Area (HCA). This 
alternative would reduce the North Tract to 2,113 acres in exchange for 
a South Tract of 2,156 acres. Most of the area identified for an HCA 
would remain with Fort Benning. Approximately a 690 acres Parks and 
Recreation Area would be established on the North Tract and may be used 
for wetlands protection, leaving approximately 1,423 acres of 
developable land. The Army would use the South Tract for dismounted 
light infantry training. The City would continue timber production on 
the portion that it would retain from the South Tract (692 acres).
    The FEIS concludes that the proposed land exchange as presented in 
the preferred alternative (Development of Reduced North Tract Without 
the HCA) meets the needs and purposes of the action while minimizing 
the potential environmental impacts through mitigation.
    The FEIS is available for public review at the following locations: 
W.C. Bradley Memorial Library, 1120 Bradley Drive, Columbus, Georgia; 
South Lumpkin Library, 2034 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus, Georgia; 
Sawyers Library, Building 93, Fort Benning, Georgia; Simon Schwob 
Memorial Library, Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, 
Columbus, Georgia; Columbus Chamber Commerce, 901 Front Street, 
Columbus, Georgia; and Columbus Government Center Tower, Columbus, 
Georgia.

    Dated: January 29, 1999.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 99-2901 Filed 2-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M