Environmental statements; notice of intent: Base realignment and closure— Homestead Air Force Base, FL,

[Federal Register: February 27, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 39)]

[Notices]

[Page 10006-10007]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr27fe98-53]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force

Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Disposal of Portions of the Former Homestead Air Force Base (AFB), Florida

The United States Air Force (Air Force) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will prepare an SEIS analyzing the proposed transfer of airfield and airfield-related properties at the former Homestead AFB. The SEIS will supplement the 1994 EIS titled Disposal and Reuse of Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. It will be used by the Air Force and the FAA in making decisions concerning the proposed disposal of the property. The Air Force and the FAA will be the lead agencies for preparing the SEIS. The National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency will be cooperating agencies.

The SEIS will address the potential environmental impacts of the disposal and reuse of surplus airfield facilities made available by the realignment of Homestead AFB pursuant to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act. The Air Force seeks to transfer the facilities in a manner that supports local plans for economic revitalization of South Florida and protects Biscayne Bay and the nearby national parks. The SEIS will address the proposed transfer of a one-runway airport and airport facilities at the former base. It also will address the potential environmental impacts of any reasonable disposal alternatives and include possible mitigation measures.

The scoping period for this SEIS formally begins with this Notice of Intent and will extend through April 30, 1998. The Air Force and FAA invite the participation of federal, state, and local agencies, any affected Indian tribal governments, organizations, and interested persons. Several public scoping meetings will be held at a time and location to be announced at a later

[[Page 10007]]

date. The purpose of such meetings is to provide a public forum for officials and the community to provide information and comments and to identify environmental issues and concerns that should be addressed in the SEIS. During the meetings the Air Force and FAA will provide information on the proposal to dispose of the property, describe the process to be used in preparing the SEIS, and ask for input on the scope of the SEIS including any reasonable alternatives to the proposed disposal. In addition to the public scoping meetings, written input is welcome, and informal meetings may be scheduled if requested.

To ensure sufficient time to adequately consider public inputs on issues to be included in the SEIS, comments should be presented to the Air Force and FAA in meetings or forwarded to the address listed below by April 30, 1998. For further information concerning the SEIS, please contact: AFBCA/EX, Attn: M. J. Jadick, Homestead AFB SEIS, 1700 N. Moore Street, Suite 2300, Arlington, VA 22209-2802, 703) 696-5529. Barbara A. Carmichael, Alternate Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 98-5118Filed2-26-98; 8:45 am]

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