[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 196 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52697-52698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26868]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) for 
Final Site Selection and Authorization for Implementation of the 
Proposed G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Range, Camp Shelby Training Site, Camp 
Shelby, Mississippi

AGENCIES: National Guard Bureau, Department of the Army, DoD; 
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: In the July 1994 Military Use of Forest Service Lands Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery 
Range is referred to as the Multiple Purpose Range Complex-Heavy (MPRC-
H). Any reference to the MPRC-H in this or other documents refers to 
the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Range. The July 1994 FEIS and Record of 
Decision provided an environmental analysis in support of the issuance 
of a special use permit for continued military use of Forest Service 
lands in De Soto National Forest. The FEIS recognized that military use 
of Forest Service lands included construction of an MPRC-H within the 
Camp Shelby complex, although it did not specify the location. This 
draft document contains the site-specific environmental analysis 
concerning the proposed location and alternatives on Camp Shelby for 
MPRC-H construction.
    The G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Range is a standard Army gunnery range 
which has three maneuver avenues with two course roads per avenue. Only 
non-dud producing (or ``nonexplosive'') ammunition will be fired within 
the target array. The range has a maximum of 270 targets which can be 
engaged with either live fire or the Multiple Integrated Laser 
Engagement System (MILES). The proposed range facility would allow 
armor and mechanized infantry units to fulfill all their gunnery 
requirements on an annual basis. The proposed project would consist of 
the range operation and control area, the downrange area, and the 
vehicle holding and maintenance area. The range operation and control 
area is the center of responsibility for overall control and 
coordination of movement and training exercises within the complex and 
is also the administrative center for the range complex. Range support 
facilities in this area may include the control tower, general 
instruction buildings, personnel and storage buildings, target 
maintenance building, latrines, covered mess, covered bleachers, and 
lysterbag holder. Also, an ammunition loading/unloading dock for armor 
munitions and an ammunition breakdown shelter or infantry should be 
provided (Huntsville Multiple Purpose Range Complex-Heavy Design 
Information Guide).
    The downrange area consists of three 4,500-meter by 300-meter 
lanes, each separated by a 50-meter buffer zone, and contains the 
following target and simulation devices: 4 moving armor targets, 20 
stationary armor targets, 51 stationary infantry targets, 15 moving 
infantry targets, and 30 defilade positions. Access to target 
mechanisms would be provided by means of service roads to facilitate 
the installation and maintenance of the target mechanisms. The maneuver 
trails themselves would be used as much as possible. The vehicle 
holding and maintenance area requires approximately 5,000 square meters 
(1 to 2 acres), sufficient area for a maneuvering and parking area for 
at least 17 tracked vehicles. In addition, this area would contain a 
100-square-meter hardstand for maintenance purposes.
    The proposed G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Range supports collective 
training at the small unit level (platoon level). The ``floor'' level 
training requirement for maneuver units has been established at the 
platoon level while progressing to company and battalion task force 
level training. Units using the proposed range complex will include 
tanks, infantry/cavalry fighting vehicles and attack helicopters. These 
armor and mechanized infantry units are required to conduct annual crew 
qualification. This is accomplished by firing Range Table VIII. Armor 
units must also maintain a ``floor,'' minimum range facility that 
accommodates platoon level collective training as well as individual 
and crew qualification training. The proposed range complex provides 
the facilities for conducting advanced combat gunnery training and 
qualification. This advanced training develops collective skills at the 
small unit level. It requires sections and platoons to employ moving 
and stationary target engagement techniques with all weapon systems 
during daylight and periods of limited visibility.
    The lack of a MPRC-H at Camp Shelby was noted in the Department of 
Defense response to a Government Accounting Office report, ``Peacetime 
Training Did Not Adequately Prepare Combat Brigades for Gulf War,'' 
dated September 1991. The Mississippi Army National Guard considers 
construction of this range complex vital to the training and combat 
readiness of the armor and mechanized infantry units that train at Camp 
Shelby. The proposed range complex will enhance the training 
capabilities and efficiencies at Camp Shelby by providing for 
simultaneous utilization of tank gunnery ranges and tank maneuver 
areas. It will permit more tanks to complete fire requirements 
simultaneously, leading to more efficient and effective utilization of 
training facilities at Camp Shelby.


[[Page 52698]]


COMMENT PERIOD: The comment period for this DSEIS ends 45 days after 
the date of publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice 
of Availability in the Federal Register. Two public meetings have been 
conducted in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, concerning the proposed action. 
An additional public hearing will be held during the 45-day comment 
period. All comments will be addressed and incorporated into the final 
document. Comments should be forwarded to the address listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Colonel Parker Hills, Public Affairs Office, Mississippi Army National 
Guard, P.O. Box 5027, Jackson, Mississippi 39296-5027; telephone (601 
973-6349, facsimile extension 6176.

    Dated: October 2, 1997.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health, OASA (I, L&E).
[FR Doc. 97-26868 Filed 10-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M