[Federal Register: October 16, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 199)]
[Notices]
[Page 60698-60699]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16oc06-26]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Notice of Availability of the Fort Bliss, Texas and New Mexico,
Mission Master Plan Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 60699]]
SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of a
Draft Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS)
identifying the potential environmental effects of changing land and
airspace use at Fort Bliss to support evolving changes in missions and
units and support Army Transformation, Integrated Global Presence and
Basing Strategy, Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC), the Army Campaign
Plan and other Army initiatives.
The SEIS will supplement the Fort Bliss, Texas and New Mexico,
Mission Master Plan Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS),
for which a Record of Decision was signed in 2001.
DATES: The public comment period for the DSEIS will end 60 days after
publication of the NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to: Mr. John F. Barrera,
Directorate of Environment, B624 Pleasonton Avenue, Attention: IMSW-
BLS-Z, (barreraj), Forest Bliss, TX 79916-6812; facsimile: (915) 568-
3548; e-mail: SEIS@bliss.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jean Offutt, Public Affairs
Officer, IMSW-BLS-PA; Fort Bliss, TX 79916-6812; telephone: (915) 568-
6812; fax: (915) 568-2995; e-mail: jean.offutt@bliss.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action would change land use in
the Main Cantonment to support units assigned to Fort Bliss under BRAC,
and in the Fort Bliss Training Complex to support construction of live-
fire ranges and off-road maneuver space needed to train soldiers to
doctrinal standards. In addition to the Proposed Action, the DSEIS
analyzes the environmental affects of three other action alternatives
and a no action alternative.
The action alternatives differ in the amount (216,000-352,000
acres) and location of land in the Tularosa Basin portion of McGregor
Range proposed for off road maneuver, resulting in varied abilities to
meet the defined need for maneuver training, accommodate units and
missions in addition to the BRAC package, and flexibility to meet
future requirements. Those portions of McGregor Range outside the
Tularosa basin, specifically Otero Mesa and the Sacramento Mountain
foothills, will not experience changes in land use.
Issues associated with land use changes in the Training Complex
include potential impacts to natural resources and cultural resources,
potential land use conflicts with grazing portions of the off-road
maneuver space on McGregor Range, access to roads to the Forest Service
grazing allotments on McGregor Range, recreational use of McGregor
Range, and closures of NM Highway 506. Noise issues are part of the
upgrade, or construction of firing ranges.
Issues associated with land use changes and construction in the
Main Cantonment include potential increases in noise and dust, and
transportation issues. Socioeconomic issues include population growth
and development, public services and utilities, education, and quality
of life.
Alternative four, the Proposed Action, is anticipated to generate
substantial economic benefits and significantly affect population
growth and development, traffic, utility demands, and demand for public
and medical services in the region. Expansion of off-road vehicle
maneuver training into the Tularosa Basin portion of McGregor Range,
along with increased maneuvers in the North and South Training Areas,
is expected to increase wind and water erosion and will likely result
in long-term changes in vegetation communities in the more intensely
used training areas. Training related noise is also expected to
increase in areas adjacent to Dona Ana Range and portions of McGregor
Range.
Copies of the Draft SEIS are available for review at the following
libraries: In El Paso, the Richard Burges Regional Library, 9600 Dyer;
the Irving Schwartz Branch Library, 1865 Dean Martin; the Clardy Fox
Branch Library, 5515 Robert Alva; and the Doris van Doren Regional
Branch Library, 551 Redd Road. In Las Cruces, NM, the New Mexico State
University Zuhl Library at 2999 McFie Circle; and in Alamogordo, NM at
the Alamogordo Public Library, 920 Oregon Avenue. The document can also
be reviewed at https://www.bliss.army.mil.
Public meetings will be announced through regional newspapers and
other public affairs outlets. These public meetings will be held in El
Paso, Las Cruces and Alamogordo to accept comments on the DSEIS, and
are expected to occur in November 2006.
Dated: October 5, 2006.
John A. Macdonald,
Brigadier General, U.S. Army, Director, Installation Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 06-8667 Filed 10-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M