Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Relocation of the 1111th Signal Battalion, the 1108th Signal Brigade and a Portion of the Information Systems Engineering Command- CONUS From Fort Ritchie, Maryland, to Fort Detrick, Maryland

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for

the Relocation of the 1111th Signal Battalion, the 1108th Signal

Brigade and a Portion of the Information Systems Engineering Command-

CONUS From Fort Ritchie, Maryland, to Fort Detrick, Maryland

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Public Law 101-510, the Defense Base

Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, the Defense Base Closure and

Realignment Commission recommended the relocation of the 1111th Signal

Battalion, the 1108th Signal Brigade and a portion of the Information

Systems Engineering Command-CONUS from Fort Ritchie, Maryland, to Fort

Detrick, Maryland. The Army will also relocate the Technical

Applications Office and associated Base Operations support personnel to

Fort Detrick, Maryland, pursuant to this recommendation.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the environmental

impacts associated with the transfer of approximately 1,147 personnel

and the renovation and construction projects required to accommodate

these transferring personnel. Of these positions, approximately 636

military will be attached to Fort Detrick for quarters, rations, and

UCMJ purposes only. These 636 military and 158 civilian personnel will

continue to work at the Alternate National Military Command Center,

control of which will be transferred from the Military District of

Washington to the Medical Command as a result of this action. The

remaining personnel will be attached to Fort Detrick for all purposes.

No significant project environmental impacts were identified.

Potential for only minor or insignificant impacts in anticipated in the

areas of noise, water quality, stormwater, geology, soils, traffic,

asbestos and radon management, visual and aesthetic values, on-post

housing, and shops and services. Minor impacts from the construction of

new facilities and the renovation of existing buildings are not

expected to be significant with the implementation of Best Management

Practices, other required procedures, surveys and studies. Potential

asbestos or random impacts will be mitigated by conducting the proper

testing and taking action as necessary. Traffic impacts are not

expected to be significant, and any

[[Page 33716]]

minor impacts at the Oppossumtown Gate will be minimized by adopting

traffic study recommendations. Visual impacts will be avoided by

grading and landscaping construction that may be visible from the

Nallin Farm complex. Therefore, based on the analysis found in the EA,

which is hereby incorporated into the Finding of No Significant Impact

(FNSI), it is determined the implementation of the proposed action will

not have significant individual or cumulative impacts on the quality of

the natural or the human environment. Because no significant

environmental impacts would result from implementation of the proposed

action, an Environmental Impact Statement is not required and will not

be prepared.

DATES: Public comments will be accepted on or before July 15, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the EA/FNSI may be obtained by writing to, and any

inquires concerning the same should be addressed to, the Commander,

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, ATTN: CENAB-PL-EM

(Mr. Larry Eastman), P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715, or

by calling (410) 962-3208, or by sending a telefax to 410-962-2948.

Copies of the EA will also be available at the Fort Detrick Post

Library (Building 501) and the Fort Detrick U.S. Army Garrison

Headquarters Public Affairs Office (Building 810). There will be a 15-

day comment period on the EA/FNSI before the Army proceeds with the

proposed action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Larry Eastman, 410-962-3208.

Raymond J. Fatz,

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

Occupational Health), OASA (I,L&E).

[FR Doc. 96-16595 Filed 6-27-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3710-08-M