Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) for the Relocation of the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute (DoDPI) to Fort Jackson, South Carolina

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant

Impact (FNSI) for the Relocation of the Department of Defense Polygraph

Institute (DoDPI) to Fort Jackson, South Carolina

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Pub. L. 101-510, the Defense Base Closure

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

Commission recommended the closure of Fort McClellan, Alabama, and

associated relocation of DoDPI to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. The

relocation will increase the permanent party population of Fort Jackson

by 67 and average daily student load by approximately 25. To accomplish

the increased mission at Fort Jackson, construction of a DoDPI

administrative and instructional facility is required.

The EA identifies, evaluates, and documents the relevant

incremental and cumulative effects upon existing resources of receiving

and stationing the DoDPI at Fort Jackson. It considers seven

realignment alternatives: use of existing facilities with renovation,

leasing of off-post facilities, construction at four alternative sites

(Sites A-D), and the no-action alternative. The preferred alternative

is construction at Site B. It was selected because it best meets all

the selection criteria. The site is distinguished in that it has the

lowest habitat value. It is covered with deteriorating asphalt, while

the other three construction sites have surface soils supporting

varying degrees of vegetation.

The Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

has concluded the relocation of DoDPI to Fort Jackson will not

significantly impact human health or the environment. Proper mitigation

measures are in place to minimize potential temporary impacts. The

realignment action will not significantly increase the current

intensity of training at Fort Jackson. Because there are no significant

impacts resulting from the implementation of the proposed action, and

Environmental Impact Statement is not required and will not be

prepared. The Army will not proceed with any action until after the 30-

day comment period has been completed.

DATES: Public comments will be accepted until November 7, 1997.

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

inquiries or comments concerning the same should be directed to,

Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, ATTN: CENAO-

PL-R (Richard Muller), Norfolk, VA 23510-1096, or phone (757) 441-7767;

fax (757) 441-7646. Copies of the EA will also be available for review

at the Fort Jackson Library and Richland County Public Library,

Columbia, South Carolina.

Dated: October 3, 1997.

Raymond J. Fatz,

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

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

[FR Doc. 97-26667 Filed 10-7-97; 8:45 am]

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