The Army is following a holistic approach to transformation, implementing change across its doctrine, training, leader development, organization, materiel, and soldier systems, as well as across all its components. Transformation will result in a different Army, not just a modernized version of the current Army.
Pursuant to NEPA, the Army evaluated the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects associated with transformation of the entire Army. That study led to the March 2002 issuance of the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Army Transformation (PEIS). In April 2002 the Army executed a Record of Decision (ROD) indicating its intent to proceed with full implementation of its proposed program of transformation. The Army’s ROD for transformation identified the initial brigades for conversion to Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs) because of their use of the Army’s new Stryker combat vehicle. Five Active Component combat brigades and an armored cavalry regiment were designated for conversion:
The PEIS and ROD for Army transformation committed the Army to prepare site-specific NEPA analyses to consider the environmental impacts of actions to implement transformation at the installation level. A copy of the PEIS and ROD for transformation is available on line at http://notes.tetratech-ffx.com/army_transformation_peis/TCPPEIS.htm.
(note: this is a non-DoD link).
Drawing upon the PEIS and ROD for transformation, the JRTC and Fort Polk (Army) subsequently prepared an EIS focusing on site-specific issues at the installation. In April 2004, the Army completed an FEIS entitled Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 2 Nd Armored Cavalry Regiment Transformation and Installation Mission Support, Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and Fort Polk, Louisiana and Long-Term Military Training Use of Kisatchie National Forest Lands. The FEIS was prepared in accordance with NEPA and applicable Army, Forest Service and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. The Army was the lead agency for preparation of the FEIS and the Forest Service and FAA were cooperating agencies. The FEIS is available online at http://notes.tetratech-ffx.com/PolkEIS.nsf . (note: this is a non-DoD link).
The FEIS analyzed the potential environmental impacts associated with the Army’s proposal for implementing force transformation and mission capability enhancements at the JRTC and Fort Polk and at England Industrial Airpark, along with long-term military training use of Kisatchie National Forest lands. The Army’s proposed action involved fielding of new vehicles and equipment; construction and improvement of firing ranges, roads, stream crossings, and support facilities; land use agreements and leases; training and deployment of Army troops; and continued environmental stewardship. In addition, the FEIS considered a Forest Service proposal to thin approximately 21,500 acres of upland pine stands on the Vernon Unit, Calcasieu Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest to improve habitat conditions for the endangered red-cocked woodpecker. The FAA proposed to approve an amendment of the Alexandria International Airport Layout Plan as influenced by proposed Army projects and activities at England Industrial Airpark.
The FEIS also considered a number of environmental stewardship measures needed to offset adverse impacts associated with military training and to sustain the Army and Forest Service land for long-term military and non-military uses. These included a series of 15 mitigation and monitoring measures applicable to both Army and Forest Service lands. A Sustainability and Environmental Monitoring Plan was also included with the FEIS to track the implementation and effectiveness of the mitigation and monitoring measures through time.
Based on the findings and conclusions of the FEIS, the Army signed its ROD in May 2004 for transformation of the 2 nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (2ACR) to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), along with other actions proposed in the FEIS. The Forest Service also signed a ROD in February 2004 to allow certain military activities within portions of the Kisatchie National Forest.
Based on their respective agency decisions, Fort Polk and the Forest Service signed a 20-year Special Use Permit and Operating Plan for use of over 98,000 acres of the Kisatchie National Forest, contingent on implementation of the mitigation and monitoring measures described in the FEIS and adopted in both agencies’ RODs.
As a part of its overall program of transformation, the Army plans to activate 10 additional
Brigade Combat Teams, designated “Units of Action” (BCT/UAs) by the end of 2006 and possibly another five by the end of 2007. The BCT/UAs will be modular, capabilities-based units classified as Armored, Infantry or Stryker. The BCT/UAs will be smaller and more lethal than current brigades and will have division-level artillery and reconnaissance assets as well as some assets from Corps level as part of their organic structure. Some BCT/UAs may also have Army aviation packages if their mission requires aviation assets.
Creation of the BCT/UAs is a part of the Army’s transformation to a campaign-quality force with joint and expeditionary capabilities. The attributes that the Army seeks in this redesigned modular force are:
On July 23, 2004, the Department of the Army announced that a modular BCT/UA will be temporarily stationed at Fort Polk in fiscal year 2005. The new BCT/UA will be designated as the 4 th Brigade, 10 th Mountain Division (4/10 th MTN) and structured as a light infantry unit. As part of the decision, the 2ACR will move to Fort Lewis, Washington for transformation to the 2 nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR), an SBCT. These new brigades are among the first conversions in Army transformation and are designed to deploy/employ as independent units in support of the joint force.
The temporary stationing of modular BCT/UAs is critical to ensure the Army is properly postured to fully support its strategic commitments, including ongoing operations in support of the global war on terror. The locations were selected based on existing capacities, available training space, and current locations of similar units. The Army will revisit the locations of these units during the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process.
Fort Polk is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the environmental and socioeconomic effects on Fort Polk and surrounding communities of stationing the 4/10 th MTN at the installation. Additionally, Fort Polk will evaluate environmental stewardship activities needed to ensure the sustainability of installation training lands and natural resources.
The EA will be tiered to the FEIS for transformation activities at the JRTC and Fort Polk. The term “tiered” denotes a narrower, more focused environmental analysis that refers back to a broader EIS and incorporates information from the EIS by reference. The EA will rely on analyses and findings in the FEIS, where applicable, and will focus on issues of concern specific to stationing of the 4/10 th MTN at Fort Polk.
Primary issues of concern identified by Fort Polk with respect to stationing of the 4/10 th MTN and sustainment of training lands and natural resources include the following:
These issues of concern will be evaluated in the EA relative to effects predicted to occur as a result of transformation of 2ACR at Fort Polk. Additional issues of concern identified by agencies, organizations, and members of the public will also be evaluated in the EA as appropriate.
Fort Polk invites public participation in the EA process to support open communication and promote better decision-making. All agencies, organizations, and members of the public having a potential interest in the proposed action, including minority, low-income, disadvantaged, and Native American groups, are urged to participate in the decision-making process.
Public participation opportunities with respect to the proposed action and this EA are guided by the requirements of 32 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 651, Environmental Analysis of Army Actions. If the EA concludes that the proposed action would not result in significant environmental effects, Fort Polk will issue a draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI). Fort Polk will then observe a public review period during which agencies and the public may submit comments on the proposed action, the EA, or the draft FNSI. Based on consideration of any comments received from the public or agencies, Fort Polk may then approve the FNSI and implement the proposed action. If, however, at any time prior to issuance of the final FNSI it is determined that significant effects would be likely, then the Army will issue a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS.
Throughout this process, the public may obtain information on the status and progress of the proposed action and the EA through the JRTC and Public Affairs Office, phone (337) 531-7203.
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