Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the Disposal and Reuse of the Savanna Army Depot Activity, Savanna, Illinois

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the Disposal and

Reuse of the Savanna Army Depot Activity, Savanna, Illinois

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

Closure and

[[Page 40805]]

Realignment Commission recommended the closure of Savanna Army Depot

Activity (SVDA).

The FEIS evaluates the environmental impacts of the disposal and

subsequent reuse of the 13,062 acres. Alternatives examined in the FEIS

include encumbered disposal of the property, unencumbered disposal of

the property, and no action. Encumbered disposal refers to transfer or

conveyance of property having restrictions on subsequent use as a

result of any Army-imposed or legal restraint. Under the no action

alternative, the Army would not dispose of property but would maintain

it in caretaker status for an indefinite period.

While disposal of SVDA is the Army's primary action, the FEIS also

analyzes the potential environmental effects of reuse as a secondary

action by means of evaluating intensity-based reuse scenarios. The

Army's preferred alternative for disposal of SVDA property is

encumbered disposal, with encumbrances pertaining to unexploded

ordnance, wetlands, historical resources, threatened and endangered

species, utilities dependencies, easements, and remedial activities.

The Draft EIS was made available for public review and comment. A

notice of availability (NOA) of the Draft EIS was published in the

Federal Register on February 7, 1997 (62 FR 5825). The Army conducted a

public meeting on March 6, 1997, to receive public input on the Draft

EIS. Display advertisements informing the public were taken out in

three area newspapers.

DATES: The public review period for this FEIS ends August 29, 1997.

COPIES: The FEIS is available for review at the Savanna Public Library,

Galena Public Library, and Hanover Public Library. A copy of the FEIS

may be obtained by writing to Mr. Glen Coffee at the Corps of

Engineers, Mobile District (ATTN: CESAM-ED-E), 109 St. Joseph Street,

Mobile, Alabama 36628-0001 or by facsimile at (334) 694-2727.

Dated: July 24, 1997.

Raymond J. Fatz,

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and

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

[FR Doc. 97-20055 Filed 7-29-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3710-08-M