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Published: 1994

Total Pages: 963

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The Department of the Army, National Guard Bureau, proposes to continue Special Permit use of approximately 117,000 acres of National Forest land as an integral part of Camp Shelby, MS. This Environmental Impact Statement (ElS) discusses six alternatives, concentrating on threatened and endangered species, biodiversity, forest fragmentation, soil loss, timber supply, recreation opportunities, and the quality of life for local residents. The conclusion was that no alternative, with one exception, will jeopardize the continued existence of the gopher tortoise; that proposed erosion control measures will be adequate to control the most serious effects of soil movement; that the Forest Service would be able to integrate the proposed timber removal into their existing sales program if this removal were spread over several years; and that the military presence can coexist with civilian recreational use. The Army's preferred alternative will allow both tank gunnery and battalion tracked vehicle maneuvers to take place simultaneously. This Final ElS was filed with the Environmental Protection Agency in August 1994 and a Record of Decision issued in December 1994 selected an action combining aspects of several alternatives. This document does not represent a pending action, and the public response period expired in October 1994.