Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Continued Use of the Pinecastle Target Range, Ocala National Forest, Marion County, Florida

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for

the Continued Use of the Pinecastle Target Range, Ocala National

Forest, Marion County, Florida

SUMMARY: Per Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act

of 1969 as implemented in the Council on Environmental Quality

regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy

announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

for the Continued Use of the Pinecastle Target Range, Ocala National

Forest, Marion County, Florida. The U.S. Department of Agriculture

(USDA) Forest Service is a cooperating agency in the preparation of the

EIS.

The 5,825-acre range, located on USDA Forest Service property in

the Ocala National Forest, is operated by the Navy under a special use

agreement from the USDA Forest Service. The agreement expires December

31, 1999, and the EIS will examine environmental impacts resulting from

renewal of the agreement.

The objective of the EIS is to describe the existing conditions at

the range, describe the alternatives for reuse or closure of the range,

and evaluate the environmental impacts from various renewal or closure

alternatives. A biological assessment and Section 7 consultation

pursuant to the Endangered Species Act are being completed.

Environmental issues that will be addressed in the EIS include air

quality, water quality, noise, safety, wetland impacts, endangered

species impacts, cultural resources impacts, and socioeconomic impacts.

The Navy will hold two scoping meetings to solicit input on

significant issues that should be addressed in the EIS. The first

meeting will be held on Thursday, April 17, 1997, from 5:00 p.m. until

9:00 p.m. at the Umatilla Community Center, 1 South Central Avenue,

Umatilla, FL. The second meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 29,

1997, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Ocala City Auditorium, 836

N.E. Sanchez Avenue, Ocala, FL. Navy representatives will accept

comments from members of the public at the meeting. It is important

that Federal, state, local agencies, and interested individuals take

this opportunity to identify environmental concerns that should be

addressed in the EIS.

ADDRESSES: Agencies and the public are encouraged to provide written

comments in addition to, or, in lieu of, oral comments at the scoping

meeting. To be most helpful, comments should clearly describe specific

issues or topics which the EIS should address. Written comments must be

postmarked by May 29, 1997 and should be mailed to Commanding Officer,

Southern Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, P.O. Box

190010, North Charleston, South Carolina 29419-9010 (Attn: Mr. Tom

Burst, Code 064TB). Written comments may be submitted to Mr. Burst via

facsimile at (803) 820-7472.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tom Burst at (803) 820-5590.

Dated: March 27, 1997.

M.A. Waters,

LCDR, JAGC, USN, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 97-8194 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P