[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 233 (Monday, December 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75678-75679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30702]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the Incorporation of the Overhills Property Into the Northern 
Training Area (NTA) of Fort Bragg, North Carolina

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The EIS will evaluate the Army's proposal to incorporate the 
Overhills property into Fort Bragg's NTA, and create a contiguous 
22,000-acre area for training. Implementation of the proposed action 
would govern both military training and recreational land uses under a 
multiple land use concept.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning the scope of the EIS should be 
sent to the Commander, U.S. Army Engineer District, Savannah, ATTN: 
CESAS-PD-E (Mr. Seyle), P.O. Box 889, 100 West Oglethorpe Avenue, 
Savannah, GA 31402-0889.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Seyle at (912) 652-6017.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Army would conduct the same full-scale 
training on Overhills that it is now conducting on the NTA. This 
training includes ground and air maneuvers involving both mechanized 
and light infantry with attached combat support and combat service 
support. These units would operate tracked and wheeled vehicles, as 
well as rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. Soldiers would train with live, 
frangible ammunition (with a maximum range of 200 meters) in and around 
existing non-historic structures. All units would train according to 
the Installation Range Regulation and the Army's Red-Cockaded 
Woodpecker guidelines. Additionally, the Army would allow hunting and 
fishing on selected areas of the property and use the family estate 
area, known as ``The Hill,'' for youth oriented recreational activities 
such as golfing, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, and boating to the 
extent that these activities do not conflict with training.
    Fort Bragg is the Headquarters of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 
command element for America's contingency

[[Page 75679]]

corps, and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. The military units 
stationed at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base (AFB) comprise 
approximately 44,000 soldiers and airmen. Major elements based at Fort 
Bragg include XVIII Airborne Corps, 82d Airborne Division, and Special 
Operations Forces. In addition to these units, Fort Bragg supports the 
training of soldiers from the Reserve Components of the U.S. Army. The 
1995 Land Use Requirements Study identified a shortage of 125,512 acres 
needed to support training. The Army purchased the approximately 
11,000-acre Overhills property in 1997 to help alleviate that training 
land deficit and protect the military missions of Fort Bragg and Pope 
AFB from encroachment by incompatible civilian development. The Army is 
in the process of acquiring the remaining private properties within 
Overhills, which are eight small parcels totaling 148.7 acres. 
Overhills is located in Cumberland and Harnett Counties in southeastern 
North Carolina and adjoins the northern boundaries of Fort Bragg and 
Pope AFB.
    The EIS will consider several alternatives: (1) Incorporate 
Overhills into the NTA and use it only for military training. The Army 
would fence off and maintain at their current conditions the historical 
structures on ``The Hill'' and train on the golf course; (2) train on 
Overhills; Army would manage Overhills' facilities and resources solely 
as a caretaker; (3) no action alternative, which is to continue the 
status quo of permitting only low-impact military training at company 
level and not incorporating Overhills into the NTA while continuing 
caretaker operations for the rest of the property and facilities. 
Currently, units are conducting only light infantry training and 
driving only wheeled vehicles on roads and established trails.
    During the scoping process, the Army will use any comments it 
receives as a result of this notice to identify potential impacts to 
the quality of the human environment. Individuals or organizations may 
participate in the scoping process by written comment or by attending a 
public scoping meeting. The date, time, and location of the public 
scoping meeting will be announced in the ``Fayetteville Observer 
Times,'' ``Charlotte Observer,'' ``Raleigh News-Observer,'' and the 
``Paraglide'' newspapers. The EIS will only consider comments received 
no later than 15 days following the public meeting.

    Dated: November 28, 2000.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health), OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 00-30702 Filed 12-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M