[Federal Register: March 20, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 54)]
[Notices]               
[Page 13643]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20mr98-80]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

 
Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FNSI) for the BRAC 95 Realignment of Personnel and Functions to 
Fort Wainwright, AK

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Pub. L. 101-510, the Defense Base 
Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission recommended the realignment 
of the Northern Warfare Training Center (NWTC) and the Cold Regions 
Test Center (CRTC) from Fort Greely, Alaska, to Fort Wainwright, 
Alaska. The action could begin no earlier than July 1997 and is to be 
completed no earlier than July 2001.
    The EA analyzed the environmental and socioeconomic realignment 
effects to Fort Wainwright and the adjacent Fairbanks area. In addition 
to the directed moves, discretionary moves of such units as the 
Aviation Detachment and Law Enforcement Command are planned. These 
units will be absorbed into similar activities at Fort Wainwright. A 
total of approximately 92 military and 47 civilian positions would be 
relocated from Fort Greely to Fort Wainwright.
    BRAC-funded projects at Fort Wainwright are analyzed. These include 
two military construction projects--a Missile Test Facility to support 
the CRTC and four 5-bedroom housing units. Existing facilities will 
also be renovated for use as office space.
    The EA considered five alternatives for effecting the realignment 
from Fort Greely to Fort Wainwright. These were: (1) constructing four 
5-bedroom units for additional housing and upgrading existing on-post 
facilities for office space, (2) using off-base housing to meet housing 
needs and upgrading existing on-post facilities for office space, (3) 
constructing four 5-bedroom units for additional housing and 
constructing new on-post office facilities, (4) using off-base housing 
to meet housing needs and constructing new on-post office facilities, 
and (5) no action, i.e., continuation of existing conditions of the 
affected environment, without implementing the proposed action. 
Alternative 1 is the preferred alternative.
    The Army has concluded that the realignment of the NWTC and the 
CRTC from Fort Greely to Fort Wainwright does not constitute a major 
Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the natural or 
human environment. Because no significant impacts would result from 
implementing the proposed action, an environmental impact statement is 
not required and will not be prepared.

DATES: Public comments must be submitted on or before April 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the EA and FNSI may be obtained by writing or 
inquiring to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CENPA-EN-CW-ER 
(Mr. Guy McConnell), P.O. Box 898, Anchorage, Alaska 99506-0898, or by 
telefax at (907) 753-2625. The EA is also available for review at the 
Environmental Office, Building 3023, Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Please 
contact Mr. Ken Spiers at (907) 353-6323.

    Dated: March 18, 1998.
Richard E. Newsome,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I, L&E).
[FR Doc. 98-7468 Filed 3-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M