FORT BELVOIR, Va. (March 2, 2007) - The Army announced today the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the realignment of Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

A Notice of Availability (NOA) of the DEIS published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the document's availability, and sets a 60-day review and comment period.

An electronic version of the DEIS is available online for viewing or downloading from a number of Web sites, including

Aca,!Ac Belvoir Online

Aca,!Ac BRAC Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management

Aca,!Ac Belvoir BRAC EIS Site

"The Army invites the general public, local governments, other Federal agencies, and state agencies to submit written comments or suggestions concerning the alternatives and analyses addressed in the DEIS," said Don Carr, director of public affairs at Fort Belvoir. "This is probably the next most important step in the planning process, since its purpose is to specifically seek the public's comments on the draft document."

Written comments should be sent to Mr. Patrick McLaughlin, Fort Belvoir Directorate of Public Works Environmental and Natural Resources Division, Building 1442, 9430 Jackson Loop, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, 22060-5116 (E-mail address: environmental@belvoir.army.mil).

Carr said that the public and government agencies will be invited to participate in a public meeting where oral and written comments and suggestions will be received. The date, time, and place of the meeting will be announced through local media and on the Web sites listed above.

The DEIS evaluates potential environmental and socioeconomic effects that would occur as a result of the implementation of realignment actions at Fort Belvoir, pursuant to recommendations of the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. The realignment includes both Fort Belvoir and the Engineer Proving Ground, and is to accommodate 22,000 additional jobs moving to the post, mostly from elsewhere in the National Capital Region. By law, the moves must be completed by Sept. 15, 2011.

The DEIS also updates the land-use plan portion of the installation's Real Property Master Plan due to the substantial changes at the installation due to the proposed realignment. The DEIS identifies five development alternatives for the planned realignment.

Fort Belvoir is in southeastern Fairfax County, Virginia approximately 15 miles south of Washington, DC. The installation consists of the 8,300 acre Main Post, and the Engineer Proving Ground, an 800-acre parcel located 1.5 miles northwest of the Main Post.

Inquiries on the DEIS should be addressed to Mr. Don Dees at Fort Belvoir Public Affairs Office at (703) 805-2402, during normal business hours Monday through Friday."