Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/DEIR) for Proposed Combined-Forces Training Activities, New Equipment Utilization, and Range Modernization Program at Camp Roberts Army National Guard Training Site, CA

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report

(DEIS/DEIR) for Proposed Combined-Forces Training Activities, New

Equipment Utilization, and Range Modernization Program at Camp Roberts

Army National Guard Training Site, CA

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this project is to maximize training

opportunities for military units that use Camp Roberts. Military units

need to be able to maintain a high level of training and state of

readiness to support national defense and state missions in times of

natural disaster, civil unrest,and other emergencies. Adequate training

opportunities, with up-to-date equipment, must be available to allow

them to train for their assigned missions.

This DEIS/DEIR analyzes the proposed action, two alternatives, and

the no-action alternative. The proposed action consists of three

components: combined-forces training with two brigades of personnel and

associated equipment, new equipment utilization, and a range

modernization program.

The combined-forces training component would consist of increasing

the intensity of training from a typical maximum of approximately 5,300

soldiers to approximately 10,600 soldiers during an annual training

period at Camp Roberts. Four new types of equipment would be introduced

at Camp Roberts as part of the proposed action: the M1 Abrams series of

tanks would replace the M60 series tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles

would replace the M113 series armored personnel carriers, the Multiple-

Launch Rocket System would replace all but two of the M110 8-inch

howitzers, and the AH-64 series Apache helicopters would replace the

Cobra helicopters. The range modernization program component would be

composed of both upgrading existing ranges and constructing new ranges.

In addition to the proposed action, the DEIS/DEIR evaluates three

other alternatives: No-Action, New Equipment Utilization and Range

Modernization Program, and the Peak Training Use of Camp Roberts/Fort

Hunter Liggett.

There will be a 45-day public review and comment period for the

DEIS/DEIR. A public meeting will be held on the DEIS/DEIR not less than

15 days after the Notice of Availability is published. The meetings

will be held in San Luis Obsipo and Paso Robles. Several resources

tables will be staffed so that citizens will have the opportunity to

voice their opinions regarding the DEIS/DEIR and have their questions

answered. After all of the comments have been compiled and reviewed,

responses to all relevant environmental issues that have been raised

will be prepared. These responses to comments and/or any new

information will be incorporated into the DEIS/DEIR to constitute the

Final EIS/EIR.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the DEIS/DEIR will be mailed to individuals who

participated in the public scoping process. 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 at request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

LTC William R. Parsonage, EIS/EIR Project Officer, Camp Roberts Army

National Guard Training Site, Camp Roberts, CA, 93451-5000, 805/238-

8207.

Dated: April 29, 1996.

Raymond J. Fatz,

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and

Occupational Health) OASA (IL&E).

[FR Doc. 96-11175 Filed 5-3-96; 8:45 am]

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