Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Transfer of the Common-Use Ground Communication-Electronics Maintenance Workload From Sacramento Air Logistics Center, McClellan Air Force Base, Sacramento, California, to Tobyhanna Army Depot, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for

the Transfer of the Common-Use Ground Communication-Electronics

Maintenance Workload From Sacramento Air Logistics Center, McClellan

Air Force Base, Sacramento, California, to Tobyhanna Army Depot,

Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Public Law 101-510 (as amended), the

Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, the 1995 Defense Base

Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) recommended the transfer of

the Common-Use Ground Communication-Electronics (GCE) maintenance from

the Sacramento Air Logistics Center (SM-ALC), McClellan Air Force Base,

Sacramento, California, to Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD), Tobyhanna,

Pennsylvania.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the anticipated

environmental impacts associated with the proposed transfer of the GCE

maintenance and 982 associated civilian positions from SM-ALC to TYAD.

This transfer includes upgrading and renovating existing facilities and

transferring test facilities and equipment to support mission receipt

at TYAD. No new major construction is necessary.

The EA, which is incorporated into the Finding of No Significant

Impact, examines potential impacts of the proposed action and

alternatives on 13 resource areas and areas of environmental concern:

land use, air quality, noise, water resources, geology, infrastructure,

training areas, hazardous and toxic materials, biological resources and

ecosystems, cultural resources, the sociological environment, economic

development, and quality of life.

As the workload being relocated largely offsets recently

experienced and projected future reductions at TYAD, the analysis found

in the EA determined that the potential impacts on the quality of the

natural or human environment from these relocations and facilities

renovations would be temporary and not significant and would be

mitigated through the use of best management practices. Therefore,

implementation of the proposed action, subject to public comment, will

not require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.

DATES: Inquiries will be accepted until August 4, 1997.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the EA or inquiries into the FNSI may be obtained

by writing to the Commander, Tobyhanna Army Depot, ATTN: SIOTY-PA (Mr.

Kevin Toolan), 11 Hap Arnold Blvd., Tobyhanna, PA 18466-5076, or

calling (717) 895-7308.

Dated: June 30, 1997.

Raymond J. Fatz,

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and

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

[FR Doc. 97-17495 Filed 7-2-97; 8:45 am]

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