82 FR 27701 - Notice of Availability for Finding of No Significant Impact for the Environmental Assessment Addressing Implementation of the Real Property Master Plan at Defense Distribution Depot, San Joaquin, California

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 115 (June 16, 2017)

On February 10, 2015, DLA published a NOA in the Federal Register (80 FR 7420) announcing the publication of the EA Addressing Implementation of the RPMP at Defense Distribution Depot, San Joaquin, California. The EA was available for a 30-day public comment period that ended March 12, 2015. The EA was prepared as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. In addition, the EA complied with DLA Regulation 1000.22. During the public comment period, three comment letters were received (from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG), and San Joaquin County Department of Public Works (County)). These letters were addressed directly with each agency via written correspondence and no additional comments were received. The public comments are addressed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. An appendix was added to the EA that includes the three agency comments and the DLA response letters. The revised EA has been posted to Docket ID: DOD-2015-OS-0013.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 115 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27701-27702]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12565]



[[Page 27701]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Docket ID: DOD-2015-OS-0013]


Notice of Availability for Finding of No Significant Impact for 
the Environmental Assessment Addressing Implementation of the Real 
Property Master Plan at Defense Distribution Depot, San Joaquin, 
California

AGENCY: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) for Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) for the Environmental Assessment (EA) Addressing 
Implementation of the Real Property Master Plan (RPMP) at Defense 
Distribution Depot, San Joaquin, California.

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SUMMARY: On February 10, 2015, DLA published a NOA in the Federal 
Register (80 FR 7420) announcing the publication of the EA Addressing 
Implementation of the RPMP at Defense Distribution Depot, San Joaquin, 
California. The EA was available for a 30-day public comment period 
that ended March 12, 2015. The EA was prepared as required under the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. In addition, the EA 
complied with DLA Regulation 1000.22. During the public comment period, 
three comment letters were received (from the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA), San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG), 
and San Joaquin County Department of Public Works (County)). These 
letters were addressed directly with each agency via written 
correspondence and no additional comments were received. The public 
comments are addressed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this 
notice. An appendix was added to the EA that includes the three agency 
comments and the DLA response letters. The revised EA has been posted 
to Docket ID: DOD-2015-OS-0013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ira Silverberg at 703-767-0705 during 
normal business hours Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 
p.m. (EDT), or by email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To summarize the comments received, the EPA 
expressed concerns about the process that DLA will use to identify and 
manage asbestos-containing materials and polychlorinated biphenyls 
(PCBs) during demolition of buildings, to avoid the potential dispersal 
of Valley Fever spores during ground-disturbing activities, and to 
determine the appropriate level of NEPA analysis for individual 
projects. The SJCOG asked for more details about cumulative traffic 
impacts of the proposed projects. The County also requested additional 
analysis of transportation impacts and recommended preparing a full 
Traffic Impact Study in accordance with County Guidelines. In addition, 
the County was concerned about the potential impacts resulting from the 
development of 460 acres of prime farmland. DLA considered all comments 
before making the determination to proceed with a FONSI. Specifically, 
DLA response letters emphasized that the real property master plan and 
its component plans are planning level documents used to provide DLA 
with information to support future capital investment decisions and 
real property decisions. These documents provide general direction for 
potential areas and timing for future development. However, until 
funding is available for the anticipated projects, there is 
insufficient design information available to conduct detailed analyses, 
such as a Traffic Impact Study. A more detailed NEPA review will be 
conducted for individual projects once these projects are further 
defined. These NEPA analyses will assess the additional impacts 
identified during the comment period. Specifically, with regard to 
traffic impacts, DLA noted its ongoing efforts to reduce traffic 
impacts and greenhouse gas emissions, to promote mass transit options, 
and to provide flexible work schedules. In addition, DLA committed to 
engaging the County, SJCOG, and the City of Tracy to conduct a Traffic 
Impact Study once future projects are further defined. DLA also 
committed to secure all necessary approvals and permits for potential 
projects prior to construction. Further, DLA said it will coordinate 
with the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation 
Service prior to conversion of prime farmland. This FONSI documents the 
decision of DLA to implement the RPMP and its component plans at 
Defense Distribution Depot, San Joaquin, California. DLA has determined 
that the Proposed Action is not a major Federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment within the context of 
NEPA and no significant impacts on the human environment are associated 
with this decision.
    DLA completed an EA to address the potential environmental 
consequences associated with the proposed implementation of the RPMP 
and its component plans at Defense Distribution Depot, San Joaquin, 
California. This FONSI incorporates the EA by reference and summarizes 
the results of the analyses in the EA.
    Purpose of and Need for Action: The purpose of the Proposed Action 
is to implement Defense Distribution Depot, San Joaquin's RPMP and its 
component plans to establish a foundation that provides direction for 
future development of the facilities, infrastructure, land use, and 
environmental conditions at the installation. The Proposed Action is 
needed to ensure that the installation is able to meet its current and 
future mission logistics and warehousing requirements while ensuring 
the energy efficiency and sustainability of the installation.
    Proposed Action and Alternatives: Under the Proposed Action, DLA 
would implement the installation's RPMP and its component plans. The 
RPMP provides the direction for future development of the installation 
over the next 20 years and identifies a series of building, 
infrastructure, and energy projects that would ensure the installation 
is able to meet its current and future logistics and warehousing 
mission requirements in a sustainable and environmentally conscious 
manner.
    Implementing the projects in the RPMP would improve mission 
capability and installation efficiency by siting and designing modern, 
energy-efficient, sustainable buildings and infrastructure to 
supplement existing facilities (and in the future, replace outdated 
facilities) and by upgrading existing buildings and infrastructure to 
address life, safety, security, and mission deficiencies. The proposed 
projects include the construction of 2,170,100 square feet of new 
buildings and the demolition of 657,822 square feet of existing 
buildings. The top planning needs that would be addressed through 
implementation of the RPMP are siting Warehouse 59 and replacing the 
outside storage area, siting the proposed redesigned access control 
point, and siting the programmed military construction projects. 
Additionally, the proposed projects include renewable energy and 
utility projects; improvements to buildings, roads and pavements, and 
other infrastructure; and implementation of measures to reduce 
consumption of energy and water and generation of waste. All projects 
would be sited to maximize functionality and encourage consolidation 
and reuse or redevelopment, and be designed to incorporate Net-Zero 
Energy (NZE) and other sustainable measures.

[[Page 27702]]

    Component plans of the RPMP include the NZE Study, Sustainability 
Plan (SP), and Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) for the 
installation. The NZE Study balances the installation's future energy 
demand from buildings, industrial processes, fleet vehicles, and 
equipment with onsite and offsite renewable energy production. The SP 
provides a pathway for the installation to move toward compliance with 
relevant Federal mandates regarding sustainability. The IPMP is the 
installation's annual plan for its pest management program.
    Implementation of the NZE Study, SP, and IPMP would enable the 
installation to reduce energy and fossil fuel use, increase alternative 
fuel use, achieve an NZE footprint, meet or exceed relevant Federal 
sustainability mandates, practice sound natural resources stewardship, 
comply with environmental policies and regulations, and reduce reliance 
on pesticides while reducing real property damage and maintenance 
costs.
    Description of the No Action Alternative: Under the No Action 
Alternative, DLA would not implement the RPMP or its component plans. 
In general, implementation of the No Action Alternative would require 
DLA to continue using existing undersized and inefficient facilities 
and abandon the proposed facility expansion, infrastructure 
enhancement, sustainability improvement, and pest management actions of 
the RPMP and its component plans, which would hamper the ability of the 
installation to meet its current and future mission requirements. The 
No Action Alternative would not meet the purpose of and need for the 
Proposed Action.
    Potential Environmental Impacts: No significant effects on 
environmental resources would be expected from the Proposed Action. 
Insignificant, adverse effects on noise, geological resources, water 
resources, biological resources, transportation and infrastructure, and 
hazardous materials and wastes would be expected. Insignificant, 
beneficial effects on land use and recreation, air quality, water 
resources, biological resources, transportation and infrastructure, and 
hazardous materials and wastes also would be expected. Details of the 
environmental consequences are discussed in the EA, which is hereby 
incorporated by reference.
    Determination: DLA has determined that implementation of the 
Proposed Action will not have a significant effect on the human 
environment. Human environment was interpreted comprehensively to 
include the natural and physical environment and the relationship of 
people with that environment. Specifically, no highly uncertain or 
controversial impacts, unique or unknown risks, or cumulatively 
significant effects were identified. Implementation of the Proposed 
Action will not violate any Federal, state, or local laws. Based on the 
results of the analyses performed during preparation of the EA and 
consideration of comments received during the public comment period, 
Ms. Denise Miller, Director, DLA Installation Support, concludes that 
implementation of the RPMP and its component plans at Defense 
Distribution Depot, San Joaquin, California, does not constitute a 
major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment within the context of NEPA. Therefore, an environmental 
impact statement for the Proposed Action is not required.

    Dated: June 13, 2017.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2017-12565 Filed 6-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P