81 FR 36525 - Training Land Expansion at Fort Benning, Georgia and Alabama, Withdrawal of Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 109 (June 7, 2016)

Page Range		36525-36526
FR Document		2016-13389

The Department of the Army is announcing withdrawal of its Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Fort Benning Training Land Expansion as well as the subsequent Draft EIS. The original NOI was published in the Federal Register on June 4, 2010 (75 FR 31770). The Notice of Availability for the Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2011 (76 FR 28005). The Army has determined that the proposed land acquisition will no longer be pursued due to a reduction in requirements. This was the result of a combination of force structure realignment decisions affecting Fort Benning and actions taken to relocate maneuver training for Fort Benning's Army Reconnaissance Course (ARC). This ends the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for this action.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 109 (Tuesday, June 7, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36525-36526]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13389]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Training Land Expansion at Fort Benning, Georgia and Alabama, 
Withdrawal of Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent; Withdrawal.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of the Army is announcing withdrawal of its 
Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for Fort Benning Training Land Expansion as well as the 
subsequent Draft EIS. The original NOI was published in the Federal 
Register on June 4, 2010 (75 FR 31770). The Notice of Availability for 
the Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register on May 13, 2011 (76 
FR 28005). The Army has determined that the proposed land acquisition 
will no longer be pursued due to a reduction in requirements. This was 
the result of a combination of force structure realignment decisions 
affecting Fort Benning and actions taken to relocate maneuver training 
for Fort Benning's Army Reconnaissance Course (ARC). This ends the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for this action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Monica Manganaro, Fort Benning 
Public Affairs Office: at (706) 545-3438, Monday through Friday, 8:00 
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. E.S.T.; by email to [email protected]; 
or postal service mail to PAO, Ste 141-W McGinnis-Wickam Hall, 1 Karker 
Street, Fort Benning, GA 31905.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fort Benning, home to the Maneuver Center of 
Excellence (MCoE), is the Army's premier basic training installation, 
training Infantry, Armor, and Cavalry Soldiers in basic and advanced 
combat skills, as well as Airborne Soldiers and Rangers.
    Training Land Expansion at Fort Benning met two requirements. The 
first was to secure additional maneuver area consistent with doctrinal 
training requirements. The second purpose was a time-sensitive 2009 
Biological Opinion (BO) that required movement of ARC heavy maneuver 
training to an area outside the current Fort Benning without Red-
Cockaded Woodpeckers (a listed species under the Endangered Species 
Act).
    The Army published a Draft EIS on May 13, 2011 to study the 
potential environmental impacts of acquisition and use of up to 
approximately 82,800

[[Page 36526]]

acres of additional land. The study area for land acquisition consisted 
of areas neighboring Fort Benning capable of supporting military 
training. The Army held public meetings and received numerous comments 
on the Draft EIS.
    In July, 2015, Fort Benning completed an Environmental Assessment 
(EA) for Enhanced Training, which considered converting the Armor 
Brigade Combat Team (BCT) to an Infantry BCT; and relocating the ARC 
heavy mechanized training to the Good Hope Maneuver Training Area 
(GHMTA), an area on the current Fort Benning without Red-Cockaded 
Woodpeckers. These changes would allow the Infantry BCT and the ARC to 
train without the need to acquire additional training land. In July 
2015, the Army announced the decision to convert the Armor BCT to an 
Infantry Battalion Task Force (a smaller unit than a BCT). In October 
2015, the Army signed a Finding of No Significant Impact based on the 
July EA, selecting the conversion and ARC relocation alternative. In 
December 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a BO finding 
that the relocation of the ARC heavy mechanized training to the GHMTA 
was the ``equivalent'' of moving the training off Fort Benning, as 
called for by the 2009 BO. Since an Infantry BCT (and the smaller task 
force) can train on the current Fort Benning, and there is no longer a 
need to find land off the installation to comply with the BO, the 
requirement for additional training land has been greatly reduced. 
Therefore Army is withdrawing the NOI and the Draft EIS for the 
proposed training land expansion. This ends the NEPA process for this 
action. The Army's most recent Fiscal Year 2017 budget submission and 
associated future years defense program for the next five fiscal years 
(thru Fiscal Year 2021) does not include any programmed funds to 
acquire land at Fort Benning. If land acquisition at Fort Benning were 
ever to be pursued in the future, a new NOI would be published.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaisons Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-13389 Filed 6-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-03-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2016 / Notices 36525

Subcommittee will meet from 1:30 p.m. Written Comments and Statements: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
to 3:00 p.m. on, 6 July, 2016. Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.105(j) and
ADDRESSES: Arlington National 102–3.140 and section 10(a)(3) of the Department of the Army
Cemetery Welcome Center, Conference Federal Advisory Committee Act, the
Room, Arlington National Cemetery, Training Land Expansion at Fort
public or interested organizations may
Arlington, VA 22211. Benning, Georgia and Alabama,
submit written comments or statements
Withdrawal of Notice of Intent To
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. to the subcommittee, in response to the
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Renea Yates; Designated Federal Officer stated agenda of the open meeting or in Statement
for the Committee and the regard to the subcommittee’s mission in
Subcommittees, in writing at Arlington general. Written comments or AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
National Cemetery, Arlington VA 22211, statements should be submitted to Ms. ACTION: Notice of Intent; Withdrawal.
or by email at renea.c.yates.civ@ Renea Yates, the subcommittee’s
mail.mil, or by phone at 1–877–907– Designated Federal Officer, via SUMMARY: The Department of the Army
8585. is announcing withdrawal of its Notice
electronic mail, the preferred mode of
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These
of Intent (NOI) to prepare an
submission, at the address listed in the
subcommittee meetings are being held Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
under the provisions of the Federal for Fort Benning Training Land
section. Each page of the comment or Expansion as well as the subsequent
Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 statement must include the author’s
U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Draft EIS. The original NOI was
name, title or affiliation, address, and published in the Federal Register on
Sunshine in the Government Act of daytime phone number. Written
1976 (U.S.C. 552b, as amended) and 41 June 4, 2010 (75 FR 31770). The Notice
comments or statements being of Availability for the Draft EIS was
Code of the Federal Regulations (CFR submitted in response to the agenda set
102–3.150). published in the Federal Register on
forth in this notice must be received by May 13, 2011 (76 FR 28005). The Army
Purpose of the Meeting: The Advisory
Committee on Arlington National the Designated Federal Officer at least has determined that the proposed land
Cemetery is an independent Federal seven business days prior to the meeting acquisition will no longer be pursued
advisory committee chartered to provide to be considered by the subcommittee. due to a reduction in requirements. This
the Secretary of the Army independent The Designated Federal Officer will was the result of a combination of force
advice and recommendations on review all timely submitted written structure realignment decisions
Arlington National Cemetery, including, comments or statements with the affecting Fort Benning and actions taken
but not limited to, cemetery subcommittee Chairperson, and ensure to relocate maneuver training for Fort
administration, the erection of the comments are provided to all Benning’s Army Reconnaissance Course
memorials at the cemetery, and master members of the subcommittee before the (ARC). This ends the National
planning for the cemetery. The meeting. Written comments or Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Secretary of the Army may act on the statements received after this date may process for this action.
committee’s advice and not be provided to the subcommittee FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
recommendations. The Subcommittees until its next meeting. Pursuant to 41 Monica Manganaro, Fort Benning Public
are directed to provide independent CFR 102–3.140d, the Committee is not Affairs Office: at (706) 545–3438,
recommendations of methods to address obligated to allow the public to speak; Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
the long-term future of Arlington however, interested persons may submit 5:00 p.m. E.S.T.; by email to
National Cemetery, including how best a written statement or a request to speak monica.l.manganaro.civ@mail.mil; or
to extend the active burials and on what for consideration by the subcommittee. postal service mail to PAO, Ste 141–W
ANC should focus once all available McGinnis-Wickam Hall, 1 Karker Street,
After reviewing any written statements
space has been used, the placement of Fort Benning, GA 31905.
or requests submitted, the subcommittee
commemorative monuments and the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Fort
Chairperson and the Designated Federal
manner in which to ensure the living Benning, home to the Maneuver Center
Officer may choose to invite certain
history of the cemetery is preserved. of Excellence (MCoE), is the Army’s
submitters to present their comments
Proposed Agenda: The premier basic training installation,
Subcommittees will discuss cemetery verbally during the open portion of this
training Infantry, Armor, and Cavalry
master planning, current eligibility and meeting or at a future meeting. The Soldiers in basic and advanced combat
interment trends, the proposed Designated Federal Officer in skills, as well as Airborne Soldiers and
placement of commemorative consultation with the subcommittee Rangers.
monuments and the World War I Chairperson, may allot a specific Training Land Expansion at Fort
commemoration displays. amount of time for submitters to present Benning met two requirements. The first
Public’s Accessibility to the Meeting: their comments verbally. was to secure additional maneuver area
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b and 41 CFR consistent with doctrinal training
Brenda S. Bowen,
102–3.140 through 102–3.165, and the requirements. The second purpose was
availability of space, this meeting is Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
a time-sensitive 2009 Biological
open to the public. Seating is on a first- [FR Doc. 2016–13253 Filed 6–6–16; 8:45 am] Opinion (BO) that required movement
come basis. The Arlington National of ARC heavy maneuver training to an
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

BILLING CODE 5001–03–P
Cemetery conference room is fully area outside the current Fort Benning
handicapped accessible. For additional without Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers (a
information about public access listed species under the Endangered
procedures, contact Ms. Renea Yates, Species Act).
the subcommittee’s Designated Federal The Army published a Draft EIS on
Officer, at the email address or May 13, 2011 to study the potential
telephone number listed in the FOR environmental impacts of acquisition
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. and use of up to approximately 82,800

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36526 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2016 / Notices

acres of additional land. The study area ACTION:Notice to add a new System of have been published in the Federal
for land acquisition consisted of areas Records. Register and are available from the
neighboring Fort Benning capable of address in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
supporting military training. The Army SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary of CONTACT or at http://dpcld.defense
held public meetings and received Defense proposes to add a new system .gov/. The proposed system report, as
numerous comments on the Draft EIS. of records, DSCA 05, entitled ‘‘Defense required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) of the
In July, 2015, Fort Benning completed Institute of Security Assistance Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, was
an Environmental Assessment (EA) for Management (DISAM) Information submitted on May 18, 2016, to the
Enhanced Training, which considered System Mission (DISM).’’ The DISAM House Committee on Oversight and
converting the Armor Brigade Combat Information Mission System is a web Government Reform, the Senate
Team (BCT) to an Infantry BCT; and based portal designed to hold several Committee on Governmental Affairs,
relocating the ARC heavy mechanized applications for the purposes of efficient and the Office of Management and
training to the Good Hope Maneuver administration of students, and the Budget (OMB) pursuant to paragraph 4c
Training Area (GHMTA), an area on the effective management of DISAM of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A–
current Fort Benning without Red- personnel and guest lecturers. The 130, ‘‘Federal Agency Responsibilities
Cockaded Woodpeckers. These changes portal also provides DISAM personnel for Maintaining Records About
would allow the Infantry BCT and the the ability to submit travel requests and Individuals,’’ dated February 8, 1996
ARC to train without the need to acquire travel arrangements. Finally, the web (February 20, 1996, 61 FR 6427).
additional training land. In July 2015, based portal uses a relational database
to record, manage and report Dated: June 2, 2016.
the Army announced the decision to Aaron Siegel,
convert the Armor BCT to an Infantry information about students, personnel,
Battalion Task Force (a smaller unit and travel, including reports of annual Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
training. Records are also used as a Officer, Department of Defense.
than a BCT). In October 2015, the Army
signed a Finding of No Significant management tool for statistical analysis, DSCA 05
Impact based on the July EA, selecting tracking, reporting to Congress,
the conversion and ARC relocation evaluating program effectiveness, and SYSTEM NAME:

alternative. In December 2015, the U.S. conducting research. Defense Institute of Security
Fish and Wildlife Service issued a BO DATES: Comments will be accepted on or Assistance Management (DISAM)
finding that the relocation of the ARC before July 7, 2016. This proposed Information System Mission (DISM)
heavy mechanized training to the action will be effective the day
following the end of the comment SYSTEM LOCATION:
GHMTA was the ‘‘equivalent’’ of
moving the training off Fort Benning, as period unless comments are received Defense Institute of Security
called for by the 2009 BO. Since an which result in a contrary Assistance Management (DISAM), 2475
Infantry BCT (and the smaller task force) determination. K. Street, Bldg. 52, Wright-Patterson
can train on the current Fort Benning, ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, AFB, OH 45433–7641.
and there is no longer a need to find identified by docket number and title, CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE
land off the installation to comply with by any of the following methods: SYSTEM:
the BO, the requirement for additional * Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://
DoD civilian, military, and contractor
training land has been greatly reduced. www.regulations.gov. Follow the
personnel, U.S. Federal agency
Therefore Army is withdrawing the NOI instructions for submitting comments.
employees, students, and guest
and the Draft EIS for the proposed * Mail: Department of Defense, Office
speakers.
training land expansion. This ends the of the Deputy Chief Management
NEPA process for this action. The Officer, Directorate for Oversight and CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
Army’s most recent Fiscal Year 2017 Compliance, 4800 Mark Center Drive, DISAM Personnel data including: Full
budget submission and associated future Mailbox #24, Alexandria, VA 22350– name, DoD Identification Number (DoD
years defense program for the next five 1700. ID) number, gender, date of birth, home
fiscal years (thru Fiscal Year 2021) does Instructions: All submissions received address, personal cell phone and work
not include any programmed funds to must include the agency name and numbers, work domain name, work
acquire land at Fort Benning. If land docket number for this Federal Register email address, arrival and departure
acquisition at Fort Benning were ever to document. The general policy for dates, duty hours, emergency name and
be pursued in the future, a new NOI comments and other submissions from contact information, position title,
would be published. members of the public is to make these funding source, directorate and office
submissions available for public names, employment status, academic
Brenda S. Bowen, viewing on the Internet at http://
Army Federal Register Liaisons Officer. rank and degree, salary, job series,
www.regulations.gov as they are civilian grade, military Joint Manpower
[FR Doc. 2016–13389 Filed 6–6–16; 8:45 am] received without change, including any Program rank and number, date of rank,
BILLING CODE 5001–03–P personal identifiers or contact service branch, occupational specialty
information. code and description, military
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. evaluation dates, tour completion date,
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Luz D. Ortiz, Chief, Records, Privacy recall order, DoD billet manning
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Office of the Secretary and Declassification Division (RPD2), document number, height and weight,
1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC arrival date, security clearance type,
[Docket ID: DOD–2016–OS–0068] 20301–1155, or by phone at (571) 372– issue and expiration dates, investigation
0478. type and date, IT level, supervisor
Privacy Act of 1974; System of
Records SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office name, list of DoD annual training
of the Secretary of Defense notices for requirements, training completion dates
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of systems of records subject to the Privacy and year required, faculty member,
Defense, DoD. Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, function and program type.

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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:32:03
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:32:03

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of Intent; Withdrawal.
Contact		Ms. Monica Manganaro, Fort Benning Public Affairs Office: at (706) 545-3438, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. E.S.T.; by email to [email protected]; or postal service mail to PAO, Ste 141-W McGinnis-Wickam Hall, 1 Karker Street, Fort Benning, GA 31905.
FR Citation		81 FR 36525

81 FR 36525 - Training Land Expansion at Fort Benning, Georgia and Alabama, Withdrawal of Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEDepartment of the Army

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 109 (June 7, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army