[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 15470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8194]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Continued Use of the Pinecastle Target Range, Ocala National
Forest, Marion County, Florida
SUMMARY: Per Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 as implemented in the Council on Environmental Quality
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy
announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for the Continued Use of the Pinecastle Target Range, Ocala National
Forest, Marion County, Florida. The U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Forest Service is a cooperating agency in the preparation of the
EIS.
The 5,825-acre range, located on USDA Forest Service property in
the Ocala National Forest, is operated by the Navy under a special use
agreement from the USDA Forest Service. The agreement expires December
31, 1999, and the EIS will examine environmental impacts resulting from
renewal of the agreement.
The objective of the EIS is to describe the existing conditions at
the range, describe the alternatives for reuse or closure of the range,
and evaluate the environmental impacts from various renewal or closure
alternatives. A biological assessment and Section 7 consultation
pursuant to the Endangered Species Act are being completed.
Environmental issues that will be addressed in the EIS include air
quality, water quality, noise, safety, wetland impacts, endangered
species impacts, cultural resources impacts, and socioeconomic impacts.
The Navy will hold two scoping meetings to solicit input on
significant issues that should be addressed in the EIS. The first
meeting will be held on Thursday, April 17, 1997, from 5:00 p.m. until
9:00 p.m. at the Umatilla Community Center, 1 South Central Avenue,
Umatilla, FL. The second meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 29,
1997, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Ocala City Auditorium, 836
N.E. Sanchez Avenue, Ocala, FL. Navy representatives will accept
comments from members of the public at the meeting. It is important
that Federal, state, local agencies, and interested individuals take
this opportunity to identify environmental concerns that should be
addressed in the EIS.
ADDRESSES: Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide written
comments in addition to, or, in lieu of, oral comments at the scoping
meeting. To be most helpful, comments should clearly describe specific
issues or topics which the EIS should address. Written comments must be
postmarked by May 29, 1997 and should be mailed to Commanding Officer,
Southern Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, P.O. Box
190010, North Charleston, South Carolina 29419-9010 (Attn: Mr. Tom
Burst, Code 064TB). Written comments may be submitted to Mr. Burst via
facsimile at (803) 820-7472.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tom Burst at (803) 820-5590.
Dated: March 27, 1997.
M.A. Waters,
LCDR, JAGC, USN, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-8194 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
