[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 30314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14462]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Western Army
National Guard Aviation Training Site (WAATS) Proposed Expansion
LEAD AGENCIES: National Guard Bureau, Department of the Army;
Department of the Air Force, DoD.
COOPERATING AGENCY: Federal Bureau of Land Management, Department of
the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Expansions to existing training areas and facilities at the
WAATS are for the purpose of enhancing readiness and training of
National Guard aviation units, improving training safety, constructing
facilities to meet training demands, and complying with environmental
requirements.
This document addresses the environmental impacts of the proposed
actions, reasonable alternatives and the impact upon Guard readiness of
taking no action. The proposed action and each alternative action
consist of three essential components: (1) Increase the size of the
original Tactical Flight Training Area (TFTA) to improve training,
enhance training safety through reduced training congestion, allowing
limited ground training support activities, and to reduce noise and
environmental impacts through closing some parts of the existing TFTA;
(2) increase the number of helicopter gunnery training operations
through construction of new ranges or modification to existing ranges;
and (3) construct new facilities for housing, training, maintenance and
to comply with changing environmental requirements. A 45-day public
review and comment period was provided for the Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (DEIS). The Arizona National Guard WAATS conducted six
public hearings to discuss concerns and comments on the DEIS. Public
hearings were held in locations throughout the project area. Specific
locations, dates and times were announced through letters to those on
the project mailing list and to others through notices, display
advertisements and Legal Notices in general circulation newspapers.
After the comments were compiled and reviewed, responses were prepared
to all relevant environmental issues that were raised. These responses
to comments and/or any new pertinent information were incorporated into
the Draft EIS to constitute the FEIS. After a 30-day waiting period on
the FEIS, a Record of Decision will be published.
COPIES: Copies of the FEIS Executive Summary will be mailed to
individuals who participated in the public scoping process. Copies of
the entire FEIS may be requested from the Project Officer listed below.
Copies will also be sent to Federal, state, regional, and local
agencies; interested organizations and agencies; and public libraries.
Individuals not currently on the mailing list may obtain a copy on
request.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FEIS Project Officer, Lieutenant
Colonel Richard Murphy, Deputy Commander, Western Army National Guard
Aviation Training Site, Building 145-500, Pinal Air Park, Marana,
Arizona 85653-9598; (520) 682-4590.
Dated: May 28, 1997.
Richard E. Newsome,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and
Occupational Health), OASA (I, L&E).
[FR Doc. 97-14462 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
