[Federal Register: December 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 240)]
[Notices]               
[Page 69675]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15de03-41]                         


[[Page 69675]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

 
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Transformation of the 56th Brigade, Pennsylvania Army National 
Guard (PAARNG), Into a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT)

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: It is the intent of the National Guard Bureau and the 
Pennsylvania Army National Guard to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement addressing the proposed action of the transformation of the 
PAARNG's 56th Brigade into an SBCT. The purpose is to evaluate the 
environmental impacts associated with the action.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties can direct inquiries or furnish written 
comments or materials to Captain Patricia Rickard, SBCT Transformation 
EIS Project Officer, Environmental Section, 1119 Utility Road, 
Annville, Pennsylvania 17003-5002; phone: (717) 861-2580; or to 
Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Cleaver, NGTC-FTIG Public Affairs 
Officer, PADMVA Headquarters, Building 0-47, Annville, Pennsylvania 
17003-5002; phone: (717) 861-8468.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Major Amy Calder, NEPA Team Leader, 
National Guard Bureau, Environmental Programs Division, 111 South 
George Mason Drive, Arlington VA 22204; phone: (703) 607-7971.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 12, 2001, the Secretary of the Army 
identified the 56th Brigade as one of six brigades designated for 
conversion to an SBCT. The purpose of this action is to enable the 56th 
Brigade to transform to achieve the force characteristics associated 
with the Army Transformation Plan. The requirement for change within 
the U.S. Army associated with the SBCT is based on the need to address 
the emerging security challenges of the 21st century. Chief among these 
challenges is the need to be able to respond more rapidly to different 
types of operations requiring military actions, including the ability 
to put a combat force anywhere in the world within 96 hours. World-wide 
deployment would utilize the C-130 transport aircraft, or aircraft with 
similar transport capabilities, to achieve this rapid deployment 
objective. The transformed force would rely on improved ground mobility 
and dramatically increased intelligence information and command and 
control capabilities. To support the increased mobility, the SBCT 
initiative incorporates the Stryker Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) to 
transport troops over a variety of terrain and bring to the battlefield 
an assortment of equipment and armaments. Proficiency training for 
members of the 56th brigade will require the use of training facilities 
and ranges to maintain readiness levels as an SBCT. These facilities 
include such elements as electronic and training facilities for 
computer equipment, weapons firing ranges, and troop and vehicle 
maneuver areas. This proficiency training will occur under Inactive 
Duty Training (IDT) that consists of weekend drills and a multi-week 
Annual Training (AT) period. Readiness Centers (i.e., Armories) are 
spread across the State of Pennsylvania and support local IDT events. 
The National Guard Training Center-Fort Indiantown Gap (NGTC-FTIG) in 
Annville, Pennsylvania, has historically been used to provide training 
for members of the 56th Brigade and offers an assortment of firing 
ranges and other types of facilities that can be used for IDT events 
and certain limited AT applications. Fort Pickett, Virginia, has 
historically been used for AT events. Other U.S. Army installations 
which could be used to support IDT or AT events include Fort A P Hill, 
Virginia; Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Drum, New York; and Ravenna 
Training and Logistic Site, Ohio.
    Alternatives that will be analyzed in the EIS include:
    (1) The preferred project alternative under which transformation of 
the 56th Brigade into an SBCT would be implemented and would include 
six critical elements. These elements are administrative reorganization 
of the 56th Brigade into an SBCT; upgrades to information technology 
infrastructure to support digital training needs of the SBCT; initial 
equipment and soldier training at existing facilities; fielding of the 
Stryker IAV and associated new equipment; improvements to and 
consolidation of Statewide facilities (i.e., Readiness Centers, 
Organizational Maintenance Shops); and construction of new ranges and 
training facilities to support IDT and AT events at NGTC-FTIG and Fort 
Pickett.
    (2) The no action alternative under which the 56th Brigade would 
not transform into an SBCT unit and would not be responsive to the 
Secretary of the Army's directive. The 56th Brigade would retain its 
current mission, unit structure, and training approach.
    Any other viable alternatives that become evident as a result of 
public input and environmental analysis of the proposals within the 
plan will be developed and included in the EIS. Other alternatives may 
consist of alternative locations for specific projects, partial 
implementation of specific projects, or other modifications of specific 
projects.
    Public scoping meetings will be held at three locations: (1) State 
Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, (2) the vicinity of NGTC-FTIG, and 
(3) the vicinity of Fort Pickett, Virginia, to facilitate input to the 
EIS process by citizens and organizations. 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 meetings. Those wishing to provide information or data 
relevant to the environmental analysis of the proposed action or 
potential alternatives are encouraged to do so at the public scoping 
meetings.

    Dated: December 9, 2003.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health)
[FR Doc. 03-30821 Filed 12-12-03; 8:45 am]

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