[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 38270-38271] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-18851] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Finding of No Significant Impact for the Defense Logistics Distribution Depot Restructuring AGENCY: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: An environmental assessment on the consolidation of the DLA distribution management function was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR Part 1500- 1508). The environmental assessment concluded that there will be no significant impact on the environment and that preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement will not be necessary. Interested parties may submit comments to the address listed below for a 30-day period from the date of this notice. EFFECTIVE DATE: 17 July 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Kathy Stephens, Public Affairs Office (CAAV), Defense Logistics Agency, 8725 John J. Kingman Rd., Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-6221, (703) 767-6200. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Reduced workload, budget reductions, and good management practice has compelled the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to develop a strategy to restructure its distribution depot system while maintaining readiness and affordability of its services. As a designated Combat Support Agency, distribution of military equipment and supplies is one of DLA's primary business areas. A reliable and robust distribution system is critical to military readiness and sustainability, but it must be affordable. DLA has been reducing its distribution costs commensurate with the decline in military force structure for several years and has significantly reduced many of the direct costs of operations. The proposed action is intended to adjust the management overhead and reduce overall distribution infrastructure to recognize the changing way in which DLA has to do business to provide its military customers responsive and affordable support. An environmental assessment has been prepared to address the proposed restructuring, possible alternative approaches, and environmental consequences of the proposed action. This environmental assessment has been prepared by DLA in accordance with Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations and DLA implementing regulation 1000.22, Environmental Considerations in DLA Actions in the United States. The proposed action concerns the consolidation of the defense distribution depot management function with a loss of management and support positions. The management function is currently exercised from two regional offices: Defense Distribution Region East located in New Cumberland, PA, and Defense Distribution Region West in Stockton, CA. The proposed action will consolidate the management function into a single Defense Distribution Center located at one of the two sites. The result of the action will be that the site not selected for the Defense Distribution Center will lose up to 500 employees and the selected site will experience a lesser decrease in staff. The environmental assessment considered environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the alternatives to implement the proposed action and the no-action alternative. The conclusion of the assessment is that the consolidation of the distribution management is not considered a major action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment or requiring the development of an Environmental Impact Statement. A public comment period regarding the environmental assessment will begin at the time of publication of this notice and will conclude 30 days following. Copies of the environmental assessment are available for inspection at the DLA Public Affairs Office and at the addresses listed below. Interested parties may also contact the DLA Public Affairs Office at commercial telephone (703) 767-6200. Doug Imberi (ASCW-WP), Defense Distribution Region West, Office of Public Affairs, 700 East Roth Road, Bldg. S1, Stockton, CA 95296-0010, Tel: (209) 982-2839. [[Page 38271]] Keith Beebe (DDRE-CB), Defense Distribution Region East, Office of Command Affairs, 14 Dedication Drive, Suite 2, New Cumberland, PA 17070-5001, Tel: (717) 770-7209/6223. Dennis J. Lillo, Director, Environmental Quality, (Environmental and Safety Policy). [FR Doc. 97-18851 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3620-01-M