99-31828. Withdrawal of Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Disposal, Transfer, or Retention of the Family Housing and Announcement of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Revitalization ...

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 236 (Thursday, December 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 69005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31828]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Withdrawal of Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the Disposal, Transfer, or Retention of the Family 
Housing and Announcement of Intent To Prepare an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for the Revitalization of the Family Housing at Fort 
Buchanan, Puerto Rico

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: On January 28, 1999, the Department of the Army announced in 
the Federal Register (64 FR 4399) its intent to prepare an EIS for the 
disposal, transfer or retention of the family housing at Fort Buchanan, 
Puerto Rico. The proposed action was intended to implement the 
recommendation of the 1995 Defense Base Closure and Realignment 
Commission to dispose of the family housing.
    Subsequent to the Commission's recommendation, the Secretary of 
Defense was authorized by Section 8142 of the 1999 DoD Appropriations 
Act (Pub. L. 105-262) to retain all or a portion of the family housing 
to meet military family housing needs arising out of the relocation of 
elements of the United States Army South (USARSO) to Fort Buchanan. 
That relocation was due to the requirements of the Panama Canal Treaty 
between the United States and Panama. On May 17, 1999, acting on behalf 
of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army decided to 
retain 215 housing units. Additionally, the 146 remaining units will be 
used as ``swing space'' until they are no longer required and then will 
be demolished. ``Swing space'' is housing for military families 
awaiting revitalization of their housing. Since the scope of the 
proposed action has changed, an EIS is no longer required under the 
National Environmental Policy Act. Instead, the Army will prepare an EA 
for the revitalization of the family housing as a result of the USARSO 
move to Puerto Rico.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Neil Robison, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, U.S. Army Engineer District, Mobile (CESAM-PD), 109 St. 
Joseph Street, Mobile, AL 36602; phone [phone] and telefax (334) 
690-2605.

    Dated: December 1, 1999.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 99-31828 Filed 12-8-99; 8:45 am]
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