[Federal Register: July 31, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 147)]
[Notices]
[Page 44929-44930]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31jy03-42]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) for the Transformation of the 2d Armored Cavalry
Regiment (ACR) and Installation Mission Support, Joint Readiness
Training Center (JRTC) and Fork Polk, LA, and Long-Term Military
Training Use of Kisatchie National Forest Lands
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD; Forest Service, USDA; Federal
Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army, the USDA Forest Service, and the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announce the availability of the
DEIS for the Transportation of the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment and
Installation Mission Support, Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC)
and Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Long-Term Military Training Use of
Kisatchie National Forest Lands. The DEIS evaluates environmental
impacts associated with the Army's proposal for implementation force
transformation and mission capability enhancements at the installation
and at England Industrial Airpark, along with long-term military
training use of Kisatchie National Forest lands. The Army's proposed
action involves fielding of new vehicles and equipment; construction
and improvement of firing ranges, roads, stream crossings, and support
facilities; land use agreements and leases; training and deployment of
Army troops; and continued environmental stewardship. In addition, the
DEIS considers a Forest Service proposal to thin approximately 21,500
acres of upland pine stands on the Vernon Unit, Calcasieu Ranger
District of the Kisatchie National Forest to improve habitat conditions
for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The FAA proposes to approve
amendment of the Alexandria International Airport Layout Plan as
influenced by proposed Army projects and activities at England
Industrial Airpark.
DATES: The comment period for the DEIS will end 45 days after
publication of the NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
ADDRESSES: Written comments or requests for copies of the DEIS may be
submitted to: Dan Nance, Fort Polk Public Affairs Office, 7073 Radio
Road, Fort Polk, LA 71459-5342; phone: (337) 531-7203; fax: (337) 531-
6041; e-mail: eis@polk.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the DEIS may be
directed to: Stacy Basham-Wagner, Joint Agency Liaison, Attention:
AFZX-PW-E (Basham-Wagner), 1799 23rd Street, Fort Polk, LA 71459;
telephone (337) 531-7458, fax: (337) 531-2627.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: In support of Army initiatives to meet
evolving security requirements, the Army has designated the 2d ACR to
transform as an element of the Interim Force to the 2d Cavalry
Regiment, a medium-weight force that will be strategically responsive
and more rapidly deployable by air. In addition to transformation of
the 2d ACR, other Interim Force units stationed at other Army
installations would participate in exercises at JRTC and Fort Polk on a
rotational basis. To these ends, the Army proposes to implement force
transformation and installation mission support activities at the JRTC
and Fort Polk with respect to home station training (maneuver and
gunnery exercises for Army units assigned to Fort Polk), rotational
unit exercises, and facilities construction. The Army also proposes
renewal of a Special Use Permit agreement with the Forest Service for
continued use of Kisatchie National Forest lands to support military
training. The areas of the Kisatchie National Forest proposed for Army
use are known as the Intensive Use Area and Limited Use Area of the
Vernon Unit, Calcasieu Ranger District and the Special Limited Use Area
(also known as Horse's Head) of the Kisatchie Ranger District.
Proposals for installation mission support involve 20 construction
projects that would occur on Army lands, national forest lands, and at
England Industrial Airpark in Alexandria, Louisiana. The projects
include 13 facilities in the Fort Polk cantonment area, digitization
and expansion of the Multi-Purpose Range Complex on Fort Polk's main
post, road construction/
[[Page 44930]]
improvements and construction of a sniper range in the Intensive Use
Area, construction of 20 stream crossings in the Limited Use Area, and
3 deployment support facilities at England Industrial Airpark. The JRTC
and Fort Polk also propose to create additional helicopter training
areas and to conduct limited types of non-live fire training on private
lands. Over a 10-year period, the Forest Service proposes to thin
approximately 21,500 acres of upland pine stands in there Intensive Use
Area to enhance habitat conditions for the endangered red-cockaded
woodpecker.
The Army is the lead agency in preparing the DEIS and the Forest
Service and FAA are cooperating agencies. The decision to be made by
the Army, based on the results of the EIS and upon consideration of all
relevant factors (including mission, cost, technical factors, and
environmental considerations), is how to provide for military training,
readiness, and facilities requirements while ensuring the sustained use
of resources entrusted to the stewardship of the Army. The decision to
be made by the Forest Service is what military activities and land uses
may occur on national forest lands and how to balance military and non-
military uses while sustaining resources entrusted to Forest Service
stewardship. The FAA intends to relay on analyses in this EIS to make
decisions concerning the Alexandria International Airport Layout Plan
as it may be affected by three Army projects proposed to occur at the
airport and consequent movement of aircraft, materiel, and personnel
through that facility.
The DEIS identifies eight alternatives, two of which are analyzed
in detail: (1) The proposed action, summarized above, and (2) a no
action alternative.
Comments on the DEIS received during the 45-day comment period will
be considered in preparing the Final EIS. Public meetings to solicit
comments on the DEIS will be held Baton Rouge, Leesville, and
Alexandria, Louisiana. Notification of the times and locations for the
public meetings will be published in local newspapers at least 15 days
in advance.
Copies of the DEIS are available for review at the following
libraries: Allen Parish Library (Oberlin Branch), 320 S. Sixth Street,
Oberlin; Beauregard Parish Library, 205 South Washington Avenue,
DeRidder, Calcasieu Public Library, 301 W. Claude Street, Lake Charles;
East Baton Rouge Parish Library, 7711 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge;
Lafayette Public Library, 301 W. Congress Street, Lafayette; Lincoln
Parish Library, 509 West Alabama Avenue, Ruston; Natchitoches Parish
Library, 431 Jefferson Street, Natchitoches; New Orleans Public Library
(Orleans Parish), 219 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans; New Orleans Public
Library (Algiers Point Branch), 725 Pelican Avenue, New Orleans;
Ouachita Parish Library, 1800 Stubbs Avenue, Monroe; Rapides Parish
Library, 411 Washington Street, Alexandria; Vernon Parish Library, 1401
Nolan Trace, Leesville; and Shreve Memorial Library (Caddo Parish), 424
Texas Street (71101), Shreveport, Louisiana. The DEIS, as well as
additional information concerning the EIS process, may be reviewed at
http://notes.tetratech-ffx.com/PolkEIS.nsf.
Dated: July 24, 2003.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health), OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 03-19477 Filed 7-30-03; 8:45 am]
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