[Federal Register: October 10, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 198)]
[Notices]               
[Page 60246]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10oc08-53]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

 
Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for Grow the Army Actions at Fort Carson, CO

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA).

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of a 
DEIS for the implementation of the decision to station a new Infantry 
Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) and smaller combat support units at Fort 
Carson, and the potential stationing of a Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) 
at Fort Carson in the future.

DATES: The public comment period for the DEIS will end 45 days after 
publication of an NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: For specific questions regarding the DEIS, please contact 
Ms. Deb Owings or Ms. Robin Renn, Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon Maneuver 
Site National Environmental Policy Act Coordinators, 1638 Elwell 
Street, Building 6236, Fort Carson, CO 80913-4000. Written comments may 
be mailed to that address or e-mailed to CARSDECAMNEPA@conus.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Dee McNutt, Fort Carson Public 
Affairs Office, at (719) 526-1269, during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action and analysis in the DEIS 
includes constructing new facilities at Fort Carson to support an IBCT 
and other combat support units (approximately 3,900 additional Soldiers 
and their dependents) and the potential stationing of a CAB 
(approximately 2,800 Soldiers and their dependents). Additional actions 
evaluated as part of the Proposed Action include upgrading ranges at 
Fort Carson and increased use of live-fire training ranges and maneuver 
areas at Fort Carson and the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS). 
Implementation of the Proposed Action is anticipated in 2009 and would 
begin following the completion of a Final EIS and signing of a Record 
of Decision (ROD). The Proposed Action does not include the expansion 
of PCMS or any construction at PCMS.
    The stationing of additional BCTs and other force structure 
realignment actions across the Army was analyzed in the 2007 Final 
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Army Growth and Force 
Structure Realignment. The ROD determined that Fort Carson would 
receive an additional IBCT and other units contingent on site-specific 
NEPA analysis. The DEIS is that site-specific analysis of the 
environmental and socioeconomic impacts of alternatives for 
implementing the Army's previous stationing decision. The DEIS also 
analyzes the potential stationing of a CAB.
    The DEIS analyzes the impacts of several alternatives for 
construction of the IBCT facilities and the No Action Alternative. 
Under the No Action Alternative, the stationing of a new IBCT and CAB 
at Fort Carson would not be implemented. The No Action Alternative 
provides the baseline conditions for comparison to the Proposed 
Alternative.
    Impacts analyzed include a wide range of environmental resource 
areas: Land use, air quality, noise, geology and soils, water 
resources, biological resources, cultural resources, socioeconomics, 
transportation, utilities, hazardous and toxic substances, 
sustainability, and cumulative environmental effects. Additional 
concerns or impacts may be identified as a result of comments received 
on this DEIS.
    The Army invites full public participation to promote open 
communication and better decision making, including comment on the DEIS 
and participation in public meetings which will be announced in advance 
in local news media. The DEIS is available at local libraries 
surrounding Fort Carson and PCMS, and the document may also be accessed 
at http://www.aec.army.mil. Comments from the public will be considered 
before any decision is made regarding implementation of the Proposed 
Action.

    Dated: October 3, 2008.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E8-23995 Filed 10-9-08; 8:45 am]

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