Release of the Notice of Availability on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the Disposal and Reuse of the Military Ocean Terminal, Bayonne, NJ

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71741-71742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33112]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Release of the Notice of Availability on the Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS) on the Disposal and Reuse of the Military Ocean 
Terminal, Bayonne, NJ

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: This FEIS was prepared by the Army in compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the President's 
Council on Environmental Quality. The closure of the Military Ocean 
Terminal, Bayonne, New Jersey (MOTBY) was mandated in accordance with 
the recommendations of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 
1990, Public Law 101-510, as amended (the ``BRAC law'').

DATES: The review period for the FEIS will end on or before January 21, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Questions and/or written comments regarding the FEIS, or a 
request for a copy of the document may be directed to: U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers, U.S. Army Engineer District, Mobile, ATTN: CESAM-PD (Dr. 
Susan Ivester Rees), 109 St. Joseph Street, Mobile, AL 36602.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Susan Ivester Rees at 334-694-4141 
or by facsimile at 334-690-2727.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FEIS analyzes three alternative courses 
of action with respect to the disposal and subsequent reuse of the 676-
acre (440 land acres and 236 submerged land acres) comprising the 
MOTBY: (1) The no action alternative, under which the property would be 
maintained in a caretaker status after closure; (2) the unencumbered 
alternative, under which the Army would transfer the property without 
encumbrances, such as environmental restrictions and

[[Page 71742]]

easements; and (3) the encumbered disposal alternative, under which the 
Army would transfer the property with various environmental 
restrictions and easements, limiting the future use of the property. 
Additionally, this FEIS analyzes the potential environmental and 
socioeconomic consequences of three community reuse alternative; (1) 
Low intensity reuse alternative; (2) low-medium intensity reuse 
alternative; and (3) medium intensity reuse alternative.
    The FEIS concludes the no action alternative is not reasonable 
since the closure of MOTBY is mandated by BRAC law, and the Army has no 
requirement to retain the property. The FEIS also concludes that the 
unencumbered disposal alternative is not feasible given environmental 
conditions and legal requirements.
    The Army's preferred alternative course of action is the encumbered 
disposal of excess property. Possible encumbrances include: convenants 
and restrictions pertaining to asbestos-containing material; lead-based 
paint; floodplaints; future remedial activities after transfer, 
wetlands and easements; and rights-of-way.
    Community reuse of the MOTBY property is analyzed in the FEIS as a 
secondary action resulting from closure and disposal by the Army. While 
the Army does not control the community's reuse of the property, under 
NEPA, the Army is required to analyze the reasonably foreseeable 
impacts of its disposal action. The local community has established the 
Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority (BLRA) to develop and implemented 
a reuse plan for the installation. Approval and implementation of the 
reuse plan are within the discretion of the BLRA.
    Comments on the FEIS, received during the public comment period, 
will be used in preparing the Army's Record of Decision.
    Copies of the FEIS have been forwarded to the EPA, other federal, 
state, and local agencies; public officials; and organizations and 
individuals who previously provided substantive comments in the EIS 
scoping process. Copies of the FEIS are avaialble for review at the 
following libraries. The Bayonne Free Public Library, 697 Avenue C, 
Bayonne, NJ 07002-2806; the Jersey City Public Library, 472 Jersey 
Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302; and the Newark Public Library, 5 
Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102.

    Dated: December 14, 1999.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I&E).
[FR Doc. 99-33112 Filed 12-21-99; 8:45 am]
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