Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Land Exchange Between Fort Benning and the City of Columbus, GA

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement

(DEIS) for the Land Exchange Between Fort Benning and the City of

Columbus, GA

AGENCY: U.S. Army Infantry Center and Fort Benning, Department of the

Army, DoD.

[[Page 57672]]

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: This announces the availability of the DEIS which assesses the

potential environmental impacts of the exchange of tracts of land

between Fort Benning and the City of Columbus (hereafter referred to as

the City). Section 2829 of Pub. L. 101-510, enacted November 5, 1990,

authorized a land exchange between the City and Fort Benning. The

proposed action is to transfer the North Tract (ranging in size from

2113 acres to 2,760 acres) to the City in exchange for the South Tract,

which ranges from 2,156 to 2,848 acres.

DATES: The public comments period for the DEIS will end 45 days after

publication of the NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: To obtain copies of the DEIS contact the U.S. Army Infantry

Center, Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Management Division,

(ATTN: Mr. John Brent), Fort Benning, Georgia 31905-5122, or send e-

mail to B[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding this proposal may

be directed to Mr. John Brent at (706) 545-4766.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 26, 1996, Fort Benning conveyed 346

acres to the City for landfill development in exchange for 380 acres,

as authorized under the same enabling legislation as the currently

proposed exchange. An Environmental Assessment was prepared pursuant to

the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, and a Finding of

No Significant Impact was prepared for the landfill land exchange. This

notice of availability pertains only to the proposed North-South Tract

land exchange DEIS, involving the remaining 2,760 acres of Fort Benning

land (the North Tract) and 2,848 acres of the City land (the South

Tract).

The City intends to use the North Tract land for economic

development and passive recreation. Fort Benning would use the land it

receives for dismounted light infantry training.

The alternative actions considered in this DEIS are:

a. Alternative I: No-Action. No land would be exchanged under this

alternative. Impacts associated with the Fort Benning mission and land

use are evaluated for the North Tract. Impacts associated with the

City's projected use of the South Tract for industrial development also

are analyzed.

b. Alternative II: Minimum Development of North Tract. A North

Tract of 2,760 acres would be exchanged for a South Tract of 2,848

acres. This alternative would provide approximately 885 acres of the

North Tract for economic/light industrial development. Also

approximately 690 acres of the North Tract would become a Parks and

Recreation Area near Bull Creek and may be used for wetland mitigation.

The remaining 1,185 acres of the North Tract would be conservation

areas. The Army would use the South Tract for dismounted light infantry

training.

c. Alternative III: Maximum Development of North Tract. This

alternative would also include transfer of a North Tract of 2,760 acres

in exchange for a South Tract of 2,848 acres. Approximately 690 acre

Parks and Recreation Area near Bull Creek would be established on the

North Tract and may be used for wetland mitigation. The remaining North

Tract property (approximately 2,070 acres) would be developable land.

The Army would use the South Tract for dismounted light infantry

training.

d. Alternative IV: Development of the North Tract with Habitat

Conservation Area (HCA). This alternative would also include transfer

of a North Tract of 2,760 acres in exchange for a South Tract of 2,848

acres. An HCA would be established and managed for protected species on

approximately 708 acres. An approximately 690 acre Parks and Recreation

Area near Bull Creek would be established on the North Tract and may be

used for wetland mitigation. The remaining North Tract property

(approximately 1,362 acres) would be developable. The Army would use

the South Tract for dismounted light infantry training.

e. Alternative V (Preferred Alternative): Development of Reduced

North Tract Without the HCA. This alternative would reduce the North

Tract to 2,113 acres in exchange for a South Tract of 2,156 acres. Most

of the area identified for an HCA in Alternative IV would remain with

Fort Benning. Approximately 690 acre Parks and Recreation Area would be

established on the North Tract and may be used for wetlands protection,

leaving approximately 1,423 acres of developable land. The Army would

use the reduced South Tract for dismounted light infantry training. The

City would continue timber production on the portion retained from the

South Tract (692 acres).

The DEIS includes analyses of the environmental consequences each

alternative may have on topographical setting and land use, aesthetics,

air quality and climate, noise, geology and soils, water resources,

biological resources, cultural resources, human health and safety,

socioeconomics, infrastructure, hazardous and toxic materials/wastes,

and environmental justice. The findings indicate that potential

environmental impacts from each alternative may include changes to land

use, impacts to biological resources and cultural resources, and

cumulative impacts to biological resources.

A public meeting for the purpose of receiving comments on this DEIS

will be held in Columbus, Georgia. Additional details will follow in

the media or may be obtained by contacting the Fort Benning Public

Affairs Office at (706) 545-2211. Public comments received on the DEIS

will be considered and addressed in the final EIS and considered by the

Army in its Record of Decision.

The DEIS and supporting documents are available for public review

at the following locations: W.C. Bradley Memorial Library, 1120 Bradley

Drive, Columbus, Georgia; South Lumpkin Library, 2034 South Lumpkin

Road, Columbus, Georgia; Sawyers Library, Building 93, Fort Benning,

Georgia; Simon Schwob Memorial Library, Columbus State University, 4225

University Avenue, Columbus, Georgia; Columbus Chamber of Commerce, 901

Front Street, Columbus, Georgia; and Columbus Government Center Tower,

Columbus, Georgia.

Dated: October 23, 1998.

Raymond J. Fatz,

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and

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

[FR Doc. 98-28885 Filed 10-27-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3710-08-M