[Federal Register: March 31, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 61)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15353-15354]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31mr99-47]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

 
Release of the Notice of Availability on the Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (DEIS) on the Disposal and Reuse of the Military Ocean 
Terminal, Bayonne, NJ

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This DEIS was prepared by the Army in compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the President's 
Council on Environmental Quality. The closure of the Military Ocean 
Terminal, Bayonne, New Jersey (MOTBY) was

[[Page 15354]]

mandated in accordance with the recommendations of the Defense Base 
Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, Public Law 101-510, as amended 
(the ``BRAC law'').

DATES: The review period for the DEIS will end 45 days after 
publication of the NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ADDRESSES: Questions and/or written comments regarding the DEIS, or a 
request for a copy of the document may be directed to: U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers, ATTN: Dr. Susan Ivester Rees, U.S. Army Engineer 
District, Modile (CESAM-PD), 109 St. Joseph Street, Mobile, AL 36602.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Susan Ivester Rees at 334-694-4141 
or by facsimile at 334-690-2727.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS analyzes three alternative courses 
of action with respect to the disposal and subsequent reuse of the 676 
acres (440 land acres and 236 submerged land acres) comprising the 
Military Ocean Terminal, Bayonne (MOTBY): (1) The no action 
alternative, under which the property would be maintained in a 
caretaker status after closure; (2) the unencumbered alternative, under 
which the Army would transfer the property without encumbrances, such 
as environmental restrictions and easements; and (3) the encumbered 
disposal alternative, under which the Army would transfer the property 
with various environmental restrictions and easement, limiting the 
future use of the property. Additionally, this DEIS analyzes the 
potential environmental and socioeconomic consequences of three 
community reuse alternatives: (1) low intensity reuse alternative; (2) 
Low-medium intensity reuse alternative; and (3) medium intensity reuse 
alternative.
    The DEIS concludes the no action alternative is not reasonable 
since the closure of MOTBY is mandated by BRAC law, and the Army has no 
requirement to retain the property. The DEIS also concludes that the 
unencumbered disposal alternative is not feasible given environmental 
conditions and legal requirements.
    The Army's preferred alternative course of action is the encumbered 
disposal of excess property. Possible encumbrances include: covenants 
and restrictions pertaining to asbestos-containing material; lead-based 
paint; floodplains; future remedial activities after transfer; wetlands 
and easements; and rights-of-way.
    Community reuse of the MOTBY property is analyzed in the DEIS as a 
secondary action resulting from closure and disposal by the Army. While 
the Army does not control the community's reuse of the property, under 
NEPA, the Army is required to analyze the reasonably foreseeable 
impacts of its disposal action. The local community has established the 
Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority (BLRA) to develop and implement a 
reuse plan for the installation. Approval and implementation of the 
reuse plan are within the discretion of the BLRA.
    A public meeting will be held during the 45-day DEIS comment period 
to afford the public the opportunity to provide oral and written 
comments on the DEIS. The location and time of the meeting will be 
announced in local newspapers at least 15 days prior to the meeting. 
Verbal comments made at the public meeting and written comments 
received during the comment period will be used in the preparation of 
the Final EIS and Record of Decision.
    Copies of the DEIS have been forwarded to the EPA, other Federal, 
state, and local agencies; public officials; and organizations and 
individuals who previously provided substantive comments in the EIS 
scoping process. Copies of the DEIS are available for review at the 
following libraries: The Bayonne Free Public Library, 697 Avenue C, 
Bayonne, NJ 07002-2806; the Jersey City Public Library, 472 Jersey 
Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302; and the Newark Public Library, 5 
Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102.

    Dated: March 25, 1999.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health), OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 99-7865 Filed 3-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M