Withdrawal of Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Disposal, Transfer, or Retention of the Family Housing and Announcement of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Revitalization of the Family Housing at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico

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On January 28, 1999, the Department of the Army announced in the Federal Register (64 FR 4399) its intent to prepare an EIS for the disposal, transfer or retention of the family housing at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. The proposed action was intended to implement the recommendation of the 1995 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission to dispose of the family housing. Subsequent to the Commission's recommendation, the Secretary of Defense was authorized by Section 8142 of the 1999 DoD Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 105-262) to retain all or a portion of the family housing to meet military family housing needs arising out of the relocation of elements of the United States Army South (USARSO) to Fort Buchanan. That relocation was due to the requirements of the Panama Canal Treaty between the United States and Panama. On May 17, 1999, acting on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army decided to retain 215 housing units. Additionally, the 146 remaining units will be used as ``swing space'' until they are no longer required and then will be demolished. ``Swing space'' is housing for military families awaiting revitalization of their housing. Since the scope of th