[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 212 (Thursday, November 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 55702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27170]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for
the Proposed Construction of a Rail Connector for Fort Campbell, KY
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: Fort Campbell, Kentucky, requires rail service to deploy
rapidly throughout the world. The U.S. Army owns 17 miles of track from
Fort Campbell to the town of Hopkinsville, KY, and approximately three
miles of track in the town of Hopkinsville. Currently, a lengthy
switching procedure is required to move a train, necessary during
contingency operations and possible during major exercises, to or from
Fort Campbell. Fort Campbell cannot rapidly deploy the 101st Airborne
Division and other units with the existing switching restrictions in
Hopkinsville.
The Army action analyzed in this Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (DEIS) is the construction of a rail connector between the
government-owned line and the CSX line in Christian County, Kentucky.
The environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with alternative
locations for this proposed rail connector are analyzed. Five
alternative alignments, including the No-Action Alternative, have been
evaluated:
The No-Action Alternative requires no change in the existing
configuration or operation of the rail lines, or construction of any
new ones. With the No-Action Alternative, trains from Fort Campbell
would continue current operations, using the Hopkinsville Beltline and
Interchange to switch five cars at a time to the CSX mainline.
The Hopkinsville Interchange Upgrade Alternative (Alternative 1)
upgrades the existing connection between the government-owned rail line
with the CSX mainline track via the Hopkinsville Beltline. This
alignment involves construction of two relatively short rail connectors
within the city limits of Hopkinsville and a 2.2 mile siding track
parallel to the existing government line south of Hopkinsville.
The Hopkinsville Bypass North Alternative (Alternative 2N) connects
the government line directly to the CSX mainline south of Hopkinsville
and north of the Hopkinsville Bypass (KY 8546) with approximately 2.7
miles of new track. This alignment also includes the construction of a
2.2 mile siding parallel to the existing government line south of
Hopkinsville.
The Hopkinsville Bypass South Alternative (Alternative 2S) connects
the government line directly to the CSX mainline south of Hopkinsville
and south of the Hopkinsville Bypass (KY 8546) with approximately 2.8
miles of new track. A 2.2 mile siding parallel to the existing
government line south of Hopkinsville is also included in this
alternative.
Alternative 3, the Masonville-Casky Alternative, connects the
government line directly to the CSX mainline approximately six miles
south of Hopkinsville with approximately 5.5 miles of track. A 2.2 mile
siding for Alternative 3 is included in the alignment corridor. Short-
term and long-term potentially significant adverse environmental
consequences from all build alternatives evaluated in this document
include impacts to cultural resources and water quality. Short-term
potentially significant adverse impacts for Alternative 1 include
increased traffic congestion and risk to public safety during
construction. The No-Action Alternative will not meet mission
requirements and will worsen existing traffic congestion and public
safety risk in Hopkinsville. All build alternatives would alleviate
these existing problems. Federal, State, and local officials;
conservation groups; and interested businesses, groups, and individuals
are invited to comment on the DEIS. In order to be considered, comments
should be received no later than 45 days from the date the
Environmental Protection Agency publishes this Notice of Availability
in the Federal Register. Copies of the DEIS may be reviewed at
Hopkinsville Community College Library Hopkinsville, Kentucky, phone--
(502) 886-3921 and Fort Campbell Library, Building 38, 25th Street,
Fort Campbell, Kentucky, phone--(502) 431-4827. In addition, a copy of
the DEIS may be obtained by contacting Mr. Keith Rogan at (502) 625-
7012.
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be forwarded to Louisville Army
Engineer District, ATTN: CEORL-DL-B (Keith Rogan), P.O. Box 59,
Louisville, KY 40201-0059.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions regarding this proposal may be directed to Mr. Rogan at (502)
625-7012.
Dated: October 27, 1995.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health) OASA (IL&E).
[FR Doc. 95-27170 Filed 11-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
