[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 96 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 24764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12229]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army


Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Western Army 
National Guard Aviation Training Site (WAATS) Proposed Expansion

LEAD AGENCIES: National Guard Bureau, Department of the Army, and the 
Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense.

COOPERATING AGENCY: Federal Bureau of Land Management, Department of 
the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: Expansions to existing training areas and facilities at the 
WAATS are for the purpose of enhancing readiness and training of 
National Guard aviation units, improving training safety, constructing 
facilities to meet training demands, and complying with environmental 
requirements.
    This document addresses the environmental impacts of the proposed 
actions, reasonable alternatives and the impact upon Guard readiness of 
taking no action. The proposed action and each alternative action 
consist of three essential components: (1) increase the size of the 
original Tactical Flight Training Area (TFTA) to improve training, 
enhance training safety through reduced training congestion, allowing 
limited ground training support activities, and to reduce noise and 
environmental impacts through closing some parts of the existing TFTA; 
(2) increase the number of helicopter gunnery training operations 
through construction of new ranges or modification to existing ranges 
and; (3) construct new facilities for housing, training, maintenance 
and to comply with changing environmental requirements.
    The DEIS will be available for public review for 45 days from the 
date the Notice of Availability is published in the Federal Register. 
The Arizona National Guard WAATS will conduct public hearings to 
discuss concerns and comments on the DEIS. Public hearings will be held 
in several locations throughout the project area. Specific locations, 
dates and times will be announced through letters to those on the 
project mailing list and to others through Notices, Display 
Advertisements and Legal Notices in general circulation newspapers.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the DEIS Executive Summary will be mailed to 
individuals who participated in the public scoping process. Copies of 
the entire DEIS may be requested from the Project Officer. Copies will 
also be sent to Federal, state, regional, and local agencies; 
interested organizations and agencies; and public libraries. 
Individuals not currently on the mailing list may obtain a copy on 
request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The DEIS Project Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Murphy, Deputy 
Commander, Western Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, Building 
145-500, Pinal Air Park, Marana, Arizona 85653-9598, (520) 682--4590.

    Dated: May 10, 1996.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety, and 
Occupational Health) OASA (IL&E).
[FR Doc. 96-12229 Filed 5-15-96; 8:45 am]
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