NEWTON FALLS, Ohio -- The Ohio Army National Guard announced April 14 the final Supplemental Environmental Assessment for Proposed Range Development at the Ravenna Training and Logistics Site, Portage and Trumbull Counties, Ohio is available for review.

The National Guard's Proposed Action is to develop an initial core range complex at the RTLS that includes 12 proposed range projects and a Firearms Training System simulator building to provide the requisite training facilities at the RTLS for in-state marksmanship and live-fire weapons training for OHARNG units. The Proposed Action is needed to ensure the OHARNG provides a complete training facility for its units to attain and maintain a full readiness posture. The ranges have been proposed within the confines of the RTLS, as no other training sites controlled by the OHARNG, such as Camp Sherman or Camp Perry, are physically capable of supporting this mission in terms of land area required.

The ranges will ensure the continued and long-term viability of the RTLS as a training center capable of providing the land and resources necessary to support the Ohio National Guard and other military users' assigned training missions. Development of ranges at the RTLS will support higher quality, mission-essential, and increased training activities at RTLS, while limiting the need for out-of-state travel.

The fSEA has been prepared as a supplement to the 2004 Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Enhanced Training and Operation at the Ravenna Training and Logistics Site.

This fSEA examines in-depth two alternatives, the Preferred Action Alternative (develop the 12 ranges and FATS simulator building) and a No Action Alternative. The Preferred Action Alternative effectively provides the best combination of facilities, land, and resources to provide necessary marksmanship and live-fire weapons training for the OHARNG and other military users at the RTLS. The No Action Alternative would not enable the RTLS to carry out its assigned mission to provide adequate training areas for military operations.

The evaluation performed in the fSEA concludes there would be no significant adverse impact, either individually or cumulatively, to the local environment or quality of life associated with implementation of the Preferred Action Alternative. This dfSEA's analysis determines, therefore, that an Environmental Impact Statement is unnecessary for implementation of the Preferred Action Alternative, and that a FNSI is appropriate. Positive impacts to onsite land use, the local socioeconomic environment, and onsite infrastructure would be anticipated. The fSEA recommends implementation of the Preferred Action Alternative.

The fSEA is available for a 30 day public review and comment period from 13 April 2009 to 12 May 2009. Interested individuals may review the fSEA at the Newton Falls Public Library, 204 South Canal Street, Newton Falls, Ohio 44444-1694 (330-872-1282), or the Reed Memorial Public Library, 167 East Main Street, Ravenna, Ohio 44266 (330-296-2827).