Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Proposed Upgrade of Training Areas and Facilities, Camp Atterbury, Indiana, by the Indiana Army National Guard (INARNG)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Proposed

Upgrade of Training Areas and Facilities, Camp Atterbury, Indiana, by

the Indiana Army National Guard (INARNG)

AGENCY: National Guard Bureau, Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of the project is to maximize training

opportunities for military units that use Camp Atterbury. Military

units need to be able to maintain a high level of training and state of

readiness to support national defense and state mission in times of

natural disaster, civil unrest, and other emergencies. Adequate

training opportunities, with up-to-date equipment, must be available to

allow them to train for their assigned mission.

DATES: The public review period for this FEIS ends 30 days after the

date of publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of

Availability in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the FEIS can be obtained by writing to Major Rick

Jones, EIS Project Officer, Indiana Army National Guard, 2002 S. Holt

Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46241-4839.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Major Rick Jones at (317) 247-3105, facsimile extension 3414.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The INARNG proposes to upgrade training

areas and facilities at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. The proposed action

includes the construction of a Multi-Purpose Training Range (MPTR). The

proposed action does not include development of maneuver corridors.

These corridors, if proposed for addition in the future, will be the

subject of a supplemental National Environmental Policy Act document.

The MPTR will be located in the southwest sector of the installation

and will be used for training by armor, attack helicopter, Infantry

Fighting Vehicles, and dismounted infantry units. The MPTR would

include a support area, firing area and a target area. The firing area

would include stationary, moving and defilade firing positions. The

target area would contain stationary and moving targets. Firing points

would be oriented to provide northeasterly trajectories into the

existing impact area. The MPTR itself would occupy approximately 80

hectares (200 acres) and, including the safety fan, the area involved

would total about, 4,550 hectares (11,250 acres).

Three alternatives in addition to the proposed action were

considered--the first (Alternative 2A) includes the construction of the

MPTR and two maneuver corridors, another alternative with less

development (Alternative 2B), and the no action alternative.

Alternative 2B involves the MPTR being located in the northwest sector

of Camp Atterbury, with firing points oriented to provide south-

easterly trajectories into the impact area, and would involve the

development of only the eastern maneuver corridor. The no action

alternative considers the continued use of Camp Atterbury without the

proposed upgrade.

A 45-day public review and comment period was provided for the

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Two public meetings were

conducted near Camp Atterbury, Indiana, on the DEIS after the Notice of

Availability was published. After all the comments were compiled and

reviewed, responses were prepared to all relevant environmental issues

that were raised. These responses to comments and/or any new pertinent

information were incorporated into the DEIS to constitute the FEIS.

After the 30-day review period on the FEIS has ended, a Record of

Decision will be published.

Copies of the FEIS will be mailed to individuals who participated

in the public scoping process. Copies will also be sent to Federal,

state, regional, and local agencies; interested organizations and

agencies; and public libraries. Individuals not currently on the

mailing list may obtain a copy by request.

Dated: September 4, 1998.

Raymond J. Fatz,

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

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

[FR Doc. 98-24552 Filed 9-11-98; 8:45 am]

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