[Federal Register: January 25, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 15)]
[Notices]               
[Page 3686-3687]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25ja99-46]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

 
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Real Property Master Plan, Fort Sill, OK

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: This announces the intention of the U.S. Army Field Artillery 
Center and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) in support of revisions to the installation's 
Real Property Master Plan (RPMP). The purpose is to evaluate the 
environmental impacts associated with the RPMP's implementation.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be forwarded to the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, ATTN: CESWT-PE-E   
(J. Randolph), P.O. Box 61, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74121-0061.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.Bob Kerr, Directorate of 
Environmental Quality, U.S. Army Field Artillery Center and Fort Sill, 
at 580-442-3409.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Fort Sill RPMP has the potential to 
significantly impact certain natural, economic, social, and cultural 
resources of the Fort Sill community. The study area for environmental 
analysis will be the entire Fort Sill installation. The objective is to 
provide a comprehensive and programmatic EIS which will serve as a 
planning tool, a public information source, and a reference for 
mitigation tracking.
    Alternatives may consist of alternate locations for specific 
projects, partial implementation of the specific project, or other 
modification of the specific project. The alternatives will be 
developed during preparation of the draft EIS (DEIS) as a result of 
public input and of environmental analysis of the proposals within the 
plan.
    Significant Issues: The Fort Sill reservation contains 
approximately 94,221 acres of land. Some of this land serves as 
potential habitat for protected species of wildlife. Of the areas 
within the installation that have been surveyed to date for cultural 
resources, 832 properties have been identified and recorded. Nearly all 
of the current and proposed RPMP projects are sited within the 6,015 
acre cantonment area, where the majority of the installation's historic 
buildings are located.
    The significant issues the EIS will analyze include the following:

[[Page 3687]]

    1. Development of a large deployment marshaling area near an 
existing railhead facility: Whereby, new railroad tracks, loading 
docks, switching facilities, hardstand areas, and fencing would be 
developed.
    2. Redesignation of land use: Whereby, land use zoning would be 
redesignated to provide for the construction of new and expansion of 
existing motor pool areas.
    3. Probable construction projects: Whereby, the following projects 
would be completed: (1) new multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) range 
firing points in the training areas; (2) a liquid fuel facility; (3) a 
unit movements facility; and (4) a con-tingency warehouse.
    Public scoping meetings will be held in the vicinity of Fort Sill 
to facilitate input to the EIS process by citizens and organizations. 
The date and time of these meetings will be announced to the general 
media and will be at times and locations convenient to the public. To 
be considered in the Draft EIS, comments and suggestions should be 
received not later than 15 days following the public scoping meeting.

    Dated: January 14, 1999.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health), OASA(I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 99-1544 Filed 1-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M