[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 191 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58754-58755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25105]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for BRAC 95 Disposal and 
Reuse of Fort Hunter Liggett, California

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: Fort Hunter Liggett will be realigned in accordance with the 
recommendations of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission, 
mandated by Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, Public 
Law 101-510, as amended (the ``BRAC law'').
    Under the BRAC law, the Secretary of the Army has the authority to 
dispose of excess real property and facilities located at a military 
installation recommended for closure or realignment. The Army prepared 
an EA pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to 
assess the environmental effects of disposal and reuse of the entire 
installation and reasonable alternatives.
    The EA analyzed two alternative courses of action with respect to 
the surplus property at Fort Hunter Liggett: The no action alternative, 
under which the property would be placed in indefinite caretaker 
status, and the encumbered disposal alternative, under which the Army 
would transfer the property with encumbrances. Additionally, this EA 
analyzed the potential environmental and socioeconomic consequences of 
proposed reutilization of excess lands and facilities at Fort Hunter 
Liggett. The proposed reuses are similar to those for which the 
property is currently utilized.
    The EA concluded that the no action alternative is not reasonable 
since BRAC law mandates the realignment of Fort Hunter Liggett and 
retention of only minimum essential facilities and land to support 
Reserve Component training. The EA also concluded that the encumbered 
disposal alternative is the only feasible alternative,
    The Army's preferred alternative course of action is the encumbered 
disposal of excess property at Fort Hunter Liggett. Potential 
encumbrances that could be expected to apply at the time of property 
transfer include: Continued Army utility easements and rights-of-way, 
Army access to conduct remedial activities, and notifications 
concerning properties that possess asbestos-containing materials and 
lead-based paints.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Final EA may be obtained by writing to Dr. 
Neil Robison, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Engineer 
District, Mobile (CESAM-PD), 109 St. Joseph Street, Mobile, AL 36602.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Neil Robison, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, Mobile District, phone (334) 690-3018 and telefax (334) 690-
2605.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Army analyzed the reuse of Fort Hunter 
Liggett property in the EA by two federal agencies, the Department of 
the Navy and the National Park Service.
    The Notice of Intent to prepare an EA for the Fort Hunter Liggett 
BRAC realignment was published in the Federal Register on January 28, 
1999 (64 FR 4399). Based upon the analysis of the environmental effects 
of the proposed realignment of Fort Hunter Liggett found in the EA, it 
has been determined that the implementation of this realignment action 
would have no significant impacts on the quality of the natural or 
human environment. Because no significant environmental impacts would 
result from implementation of the proposed action, an Environmental 
Impact Statement is not required.

[[Page 58755]]

Implementation of the proposed action will result in a Finding of No 
Signficiant Impact (FNSI).
    Prior to initiating the above action, the Army will consider the 
comments received on this EA.
    A copy of the final EA is available for review at the Monterey 
County Library, King City Branch, King City, CA.

    Dated: September 26, 2000.
Richard E. Newsome,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I&E).
[FR Doc. 00-25105 Filed 9-29-00; 8:45 am]
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