Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Disposal and Reuse of the Stratford Army Engine Plant, Stratford, CT

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Disposal and Reuse of

the Stratford Army Engine Plant, Stratford, CT

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Public Law 101-510 (as amended), the

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

Closure and Realignment Commission recommended the closure of Stratford

Army Engine Plant.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) evaluates the

environmental consequences of the disposal and subsequent reuse of the

75 acres.

Alternatives examined in the EIS include encumbered disposal of the

property, unencumbered disposal of the property, and no action.

Encumbered disposal refers to transfer of conveyance of property having

restrictions on subsequent use as a result of any Army-imposed or legal

restraint. Unencumbered disposal refers to transfer or conveyance of

property without encumbrances on subsequent use as a result of any

Army-imposed or legal restraint. Under the no action alternative, the

Army would not dispose of property but would maintain it in caretaker

status for an indefinite period. The impacts of reuse are evaluated in

terms of land use intensities.

DATES: Review period for the FEIS will end 30 days after the

publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register by

the Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Final EIS may be obtained by writing to Mr.

Joe Hand, Corps of Engineers, Mobile District (ATTN: PD-EC), P.O. Box

2288, Mobile AL 36628-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Joe Hand at facsimile (334) 690-

2721.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: While disposal of Stratford Army Engine

Plant is the Army's primary action, the FEIS also analyzes the impacts

of reuse as a secondary action by means of evaluating intensity-based

reuse scenarios. The Army's preferred alternative for disposal of

Stratford Army Engine Plant property is encumbered disposal, with

encumbrances pertaining to the possible presence of lead-based paint

and asbestos-containing material, easements for aviation and public

park, groundwater use prohibition, historical resource protection,

floodplains obligations, wetlands, land use restrictions and remedial

activities and the requirement for a right of reentry for environmental

cleanup.

Therefore, based on the analysis found in the FEIS, which will be

incorporated in the Record of Decision, it has been determined that no

significant environmental or human effects are anticipated from the

disposal of the Stratford Army Engine Plant, Stratford, Connecticut.

A public meeting was held at the Council Chambers at Stratford Town

Hall on June 4, 1999. Public comments are addressed in the Final EIS.

The Final EIS is available for review at the Stratford Public

Library, 2203 Main Street, Stratford, Connecticut 06497.

Dated: May 19, 1999.

Richard E. Newsome,

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

Occupational Health) OASA (I&E).

[FR Doc. 99-13216 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am]

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