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Notice of Intent (NOI) To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Future Development and Operations at Fort Meade, MD

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: March 2, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 42)]
[Notices]
[Page 11292-11293]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02mr00-43]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Intent (NOI) To Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for the Future Development and Operations at Fort Meade, MD

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, announces its
intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will
address the future development and operations of Fort Meade's Real
Property Master Plan (RPMP) for the Years 2000-2004. The planned
projects which will occur during this time include the following:
construction of new facilities that will consolidate tenants from
dilapidated World War II structures and off post leased facilities into
more cost efficient and effective facilities, demolition and
construction of barracks and mess halls and providing on post
development opportunities for tenants on installations that are
currently faced with Base Realignment and Closure. It is the purpose of
this EIS to further assess the impacts, most specifically to air and
traffic, that were identified in the Environmental Assessment entitled
``Future Development and Operations Environmental Assessment'' dated
April 1999.

ADDRESSES: Questions or written comments may be forwarded to the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, Planning Division,
Planning and Environmental Services Branch (Attn: Ft. Meade EIS), 10
South Howard Street, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1715,
Telephone (410) 962-4939.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jim Gebhardt, Environmental
Engineer, Directorate of Public Works Environmental Management Office,
at (301) 677-9365.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Fort Meade RPMP has the potential to
significantly impact certain natural, economic, social and cultural
resources of the Fort Meade community. The objective is to prepare a
comprehensive EIS which will serve as a planning tool, a public
information source and a reference for mitigation tracking.
    Alternatives may consist of alternate locations for specific
projects, partial implementation of the specific project or
modifications to the specific project. The alternatives will be
developed during the preparation of the Draft EIS (DEIS) as a result of
public input and the environmental analysis of the proposals within the
plan. The objective Fort Meade's DEIS is to identify and evaluate any
environmental implications that may result from developing the Master
Plan. The DEIS will describe the impacts of existing environmental,
cultural and natural resources, social, economic and environmental
justice conditions associated with the proposed projects at Fort Meade.
    The Army will initiate a scoping process to discuss significant
issues related to the DEIS through public meetings and local
publications. These efforts are designed to encourage public

[[Page 11293]]

input that will inevitably help determine and better define the
underlying issues of the DEIS. Planned public meetings will be
announced through local publications and online Internet access in
advance of any proposed action, announcing meeting time and location.
    A public meeting will be held on Fort Meade to facilitate input to
the EIS process by citizens and organizations. The date and time of
these meetings will be announced in the general media and will be at
times and locations convenient to the public. To be considered in the
Draft EIS, comments and suggestions should be received not later than
15 days following the public scoping meeting.
    Significant issues: Within Fort Meade's boundaries lie numerous
historic and prehistoric sites that were identified through the
Cultural Resources Management Plan. Fort Meade also maintains
historically significant structures which are eligible for inclusion on
the National Register and may be directly affected by the actions
proposed in the long range Master Plan. Equally important is the impact
Fort Meade has on the Chesapeake Bay and the crucial role it plays in
maintaining and protecting which is considered one of the world's most
diverse ecosystems. Fort Meade is also home to eleven State Endangered
Species, including the Glassy Darter which is one of only two locations
in the State of Maryland where the fish is known to exist.

    Dated: February 24, 2000.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health) OASA(I&E).
[FR Doc. 00-5082 Filed 3-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M

 
 

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