Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Enhanced Training and Operations at the National Guard Training Center (NGTC)Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG), Pennsylvania

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for

Enhanced Training and Operations at the National Guard Training Center

(NGTC)--Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG), Pennsylvania

AGENCY: National Guard Bureau (NGB), Department of the Army (DA), DoD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: This Notice of Intent is for the preparation of a Draft EIS

for proposed actions at the NGTC-FTIG. The proposal includes 11

actions, consisting of 42 component projects, identified in the

Pennsylvania Army National Guard's (PAARNG's) Range and Training Land

Program Plan (RTLPP) and in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's

(PAANG's) Master Plan (MP) for NGTC-FTIG. The proposed actions include:

Tracked Vehicle Training Complex (TVTC) Projects (8 projects);

Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) Projects (2 projects); Artillery Training

Support Projects (2 projects); Multi-Purpose Range Complex (MPRC)

Development Project (1 project); Garrison Improvement Projects (5

projects); Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and Collection System

Project (1 project); Muir Army Airfield (MAAF) Complex Project (8

projects); Air-to-Ground range Projects (4 projects); Regional

Equipment Operators Training School (REOTS) Projects (3 projects);

Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) Implementation

Project (1 project); and Air-Guard Station Projects (7 projects).

The proposed actions are necessary to maintain NGTC-FTIG as an

important training asset within the Total Force structure, which

includes active and reserve component forces. By implementing the

proposed actions, NGTC-FTIG will be better able to meet the specific

missions of current military organization users and non-military

tenants. Through these actions, the Pennsylvania National Guard (PANG)

which includes both the PAARNG and the PAANG, will ensure that NGTC-

FTIG will continue to provide the training and support facilities

necessary to ensure the installation's long-term viability,

sustainability, and value as a major NGB installation. A summary of

impact analysis of previously completed EAs will be incorporated into

the DEIS.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties can furnish written comments or materials

to Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Richard Shertzer, NGTC-FTIG EIS Project

Officer, Environmental Section, 1119 Utility Road, Annville,

Pennsylvania 17003-5002. Commercial telephone number is (717) 861-2548;

or to LTC Christopher Cleaver, NGTC-FTIG Public Affairs Officer, PADMVA

Headquarters, Building 0-47, Annville, Pennsylvania 17003-5002.

Commercial telephone number is (717) 861-8468.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Alternatives to the proposed actions to be

analyzed are: Alternative 1, Preferred Project Alternative--under this

alternative, the 11 proposed projects identified would be implemented,

including a restricted maneuver TVTC, an east-to-west oriented MPRC,

and a 6,000-foot military runway. On-going operations would continue,

as modified by the proposed action. Alternative 2, Competing Build

Alternative--under this alternative, the proposed actions are scaled

down or modified versions of some or all of the proposed projects.

Alternative 3, No Action Alternative--under this alternative, none of

the proposed upgrade or facility construction actions called for in the

PAARNG Range and Training Land Program Plan (RTLPP) and the PAANG

Master Plan (MP) would be

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implemented. On-going actions will be continued.

Scoping: The PAANG and NGB will conduct public scoping meetings to

discuss public concerns and identify issues relating to the proposed

actions. Resource categories that will be analyzed include: physical

environment, water quality , groundwater, air quality, biological

resources (protected species, habitat, plant communities, wetlands,

other), land use, socioeconomic, noise, health and safety, airspace,

and cultural resources. Public participation in the EIS process is

essential to assist the decisionmakers in defining the scope of the

analysis considered in the EIS. Participation by Native Americans,

concerned interest groups, individuals, and Federal, State, and local

resource agencies is sought and encouraged in the public scoping

process.

Public scoping meetings will be held at two locations, one in

Dauphin County and one in Lebanon County in the vicinity of NGTC-FTIG.

Dates, times, and exact locations for these meetings will be announced

through letters, public notices, display advertisements, and legal

advertisements and will be released to newspapers of general

circulation a minimum of 15 days prior to the meeting. Those wishing to

provide information or data relevant to the environmental analysis of

the proposed actions or alternatives are encouraged to do so at the

public scoping meetings.

Dated: May 19, 1999.

Richard E. Newsome,

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

Occupational Health) OASA (I&E).

[FR Doc. 99-13215 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am]

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