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[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 126 (Friday, June 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33715-33716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16595]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for 
the Relocation of the 1111th Signal Battalion, the 1108th Signal 
Brigade and a Portion of the Information Systems Engineering Command-
CONUS From Fort Ritchie, Maryland, to Fort Detrick, Maryland

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Public Law 101-510, the Defense Base 
Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, the Defense Base Closure and 
Realignment Commission recommended the relocation of the 1111th Signal 
Battalion, the 1108th Signal Brigade and a portion of the Information 
Systems Engineering Command-CONUS from Fort Ritchie, Maryland, to Fort 
Detrick, Maryland. The Army will also relocate the Technical 
Applications Office and associated Base Operations support personnel to 
Fort Detrick, Maryland, pursuant to this recommendation.
    The Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the environmental 
impacts associated with the transfer of approximately 1,147 personnel 
and the renovation and construction projects required to accommodate 
these transferring personnel. Of these positions, approximately 636 
military will be attached to Fort Detrick for quarters, rations, and 
UCMJ purposes only. These 636 military and 158 civilian personnel will 
continue to work at the Alternate National Military Command Center, 
control of which will be transferred from the Military District of 
Washington to the Medical Command as a result of this action. The 
remaining personnel will be attached to Fort Detrick for all purposes.
    No significant project environmental impacts were identified. 
Potential for only minor or insignificant impacts in anticipated in the 
areas of noise, water quality, stormwater, geology, soils, traffic, 
asbestos and radon management, visual and aesthetic values, on-post 
housing, and shops and services. Minor impacts from the construction of 
new facilities and the renovation of existing buildings are not 
expected to be significant with the implementation of Best Management 
Practices, other required procedures, surveys and studies. Potential 
asbestos or random impacts will be mitigated by conducting the proper 
testing and taking action as necessary. Traffic impacts are not 
expected to be significant, and any

[[Page 33716]]

minor impacts at the Oppossumtown Gate will be minimized by adopting 
traffic study recommendations. Visual impacts will be avoided by 
grading and landscaping construction that may be visible from the 
Nallin Farm complex. Therefore, based on the analysis found in the EA, 
which is hereby incorporated into the Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FNSI), it is determined the implementation of the proposed action will 
not have significant individual or cumulative impacts on the quality of 
the natural or the human environment. Because no significant 
environmental impacts would result from implementation of the proposed 
action, an Environmental Impact Statement is not required and will not 
be prepared.

DATES: Public comments will be accepted on or before July 15, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the EA/FNSI may be obtained by writing to, and any 
inquires concerning the same should be addressed to, the Commander, 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, ATTN: CENAB-PL-EM 
(Mr. Larry Eastman), P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715, or 
by calling (410) 962-3208, or by sending a telefax to 410-962-2948. 
Copies of the EA will also be available at the Fort Detrick Post 
Library (Building 501) and the Fort Detrick U.S. Army Garrison 
Headquarters Public Affairs Office (Building 810). There will be a 15-
day comment period on the EA/FNSI before the Army proceeds with the 
proposed action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Larry Eastman, 410-962-3208.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health), OASA (I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 96-16595 Filed 6-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M
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