Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) is the process DoD has previously used to reorganize its installation infrastructure to more efficiently and effectively support its forces, increase operational readiness and facilitate new ways of doing business. DoD anticipates that BRAC 2005 will build upon environmental restoration services at installations affected by the BRAC program. Working closely with the commands and installations in this complex program, the Corps responds to frequently changing requirements while maintaining the demanding schedule for cleanup and property transfer. The Corps has had real estate responsibilities for conveyance of closing Army and Air Force installations under BRAC.
Savanna Army Depot
Mustard Burn Area B
The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has updated the Munitions Response Site (MRS) Prioritization Protocol (MRSPP) at the former Savanna Army Depot (SVDA) Site SVAD-008-R-01 Mustard Burn Area B. SVAD-008-R-01 is a 2-acre Mustard Burn Area 75-mm Munitions MRS, located in Jo Daviess County, approximately 7 miles north of Savanna, Illinois.
Public Notice - Savanna Army Depot (SVDA) Site SVAD-008-R-01 Mustard Burn Area B
LRA Parcel 20 Environmental Impact Statement
Disposal and Reuse of LRA Parcel 20 Savanna Army Depot Activity, Carroll and Jo Daviess Counties, Illinois
CEQ Unique Identifier: EISX-007-21-000-1729699335
Public Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The Department of the Army (Army) prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Disposal and Reuse of LRA Parcel 20 Savanna Army Depot Activity, Carroll and Jo Daviess Counties, Illinois. Click on the link below to see the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Copies of the DEIS also are available at the Savanna Public Library District, 326 3rd Street, Savanna, IL 61074, and the Hanover Township Library, 204 Jefferson Street, Hanover, IL 61041.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Instructions for viewing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Clicking “Draft Environmental Impact Statement” link will open EIS document for viewing. Once the EIS is opened, view each appendix by clicking the appendix link, which can be found in the to the EIS table of contents list of appendices on page xxvii.
The Army prepared the DEIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (Title 42 of the United States Code §§ 4321–4370f) and its implementing procedures. The DEIS assesses the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects associated with disposal and reuse of an approximately 132-acre land parcel at Savanna Army Depot Activity (SVADA). The Army would dispose of the land parcel, known as LRA Parcel 20, by transferring it to the Jo-Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) or other recipient(s) for their reuse. The Army analyzed five alternatives in the DEIS:
- Alternative 1: No Action Alternative
- Alternative 2: Accelerated Disposal Alternative
- Alternative 3: Recreation-Only Reuse Alternative
- Alternative 4: Recreation and Solar Reuse Alternative
- Alternative 5: LRA Reuse Alternative
The Army analyzed in the DEIS the effects of the five alternatives on the following resource areas: land use, aesthetics and visual resources, air quality, noise, geology and soils, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, socioeconomics, navigation, transportation, utilities, and hazardous and toxic materials. The following summary table lists the resource areas and the DEIS findings for each one.
Summary Table of Potential Environmental and Socioeconomic Consequences
|
Resource area
|
Alternative 1:
No Action
|
Alternative 2: Accelerated Disposal
|
Alternative 3: Recreation-Only Reuse
|
Alternative 4: Recreation and Solar Reuse
|
Alternative 5: LRA Reuse
|
|
Land use
|
None.
|
None.
|
Short-term, negligible adverse.
Long-term beneficial.
|
Short-term, negligible adverse.
Long-term beneficial.
|
Short- and long-term, significant adverse.
|
|
Aesthetics and visual resources
|
None.
|
None.
|
Short- and long-term, negligible adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, significant-but-mitigable adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, significant adverse.
|
|
Air quality
|
None.
|
Short-term beneficial.
|
Short-term, less-than-significant adverse.
Long-term, negligible adverse.
|
Short-term, less-than-significant adverse.
Long-term, negligible adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, less-than-significant adverse.
|
|
Noise
|
None.
|
Short-term beneficial.
|
Short-term, less-than-significant adverse.
Long-term, negligible adverse.
|
Short-term, less-than-significant adverse.
Long-term, negligible adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, less-than-significant adverse.
|
|
Geology and soils
|
None.
|
None.
|
Short- and long-term, less-than-significant adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, less-than significant adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, less-than-significant adverse.
|
|
Water resources
|
None.
|
None.
|
Short- and long-term, less-than-significant adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, less-than-significant adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, significant-but-mitigable adverse.
|
|
Biological resources
|
None.
|
None.
|
Short- and long-term, significant-but-mitigable adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, significant-but-mitigable adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, significant adverse.
|
|
Cultural resources
|
None.
|
None.
|
Short- and long-term, significant adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, significant adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, significant adverse.
|
|
Socioeconomics
|
None.
|
Long-term beneficial.
|
Short- and long-term beneficial.
|
Short- and long-term beneficial.
|
Short- and long-term beneficial.
Short- and long-term, less-than-significant adverse.
|
|
Navigation
|
None.
|
None.
|
None.
|
None.
|
Short- and long-term, significant-but-mitigable adverse.
Long-term beneficial.
|
|
Transportation
|
None.
|
None.
|
Short- and long-term, negligible adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, negligible adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, less-than-significant adverse.
|
|
Utilities
|
None.
|
None.
|
None.
|
Long-term beneficial.
|
Short- and long-term, less-than-significant adverse.
Long-term beneficial.
|
|
Hazardous and toxic materials
|
None.
|
None.
|
Short-term, less-than-significant adverse.
Long-term, negligible adverse.
|
Short-term, less-than-significant adverse.
Long-term, negligible adverse.
|
Short- and long-term, significant-but-mitigable adverse.
|
Finding of No Practicable Alternative
Pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 11988, Floodplain Management, and EO 11990, Protection of Wetlands, a Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONPA) is required before the agency can proceed with actions that would affect floodplains or wetlands. The Army, therefore, has prepared a Draft FONPA for Alternative 5, the LRA Reuse Alternative, as the LRA’s proposed reuse would affect floodplains and wetlands. Click on the link below to see a copy of the Draft FONPA:
Draft FONPA
DEIS Public Meeting
The Army invites the public to attend the DEIS public meeting on January 13, 2026. The open-house style meeting will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about the findings of the DEIS and to provide oral and written comments. Army project team members will be available to answer questions, and exhibits will be on view throughout the meeting. Public meeting information and a link to the public meeting exhibits is provided below.
- Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
- Time: 5:00–6:30 p.m. Central Time
- Place: West Carroll Elementary-Middle School, 2215 Wacker Road, Savanna, IL 61074
DEIS Exhibits
Providing Public Comment on the DEIS
The DEIS is available for public review and comment until February 2, 2026.
DEIS Public Meeting and Comment Notice
Comments will be accepted at any time during the NEPA environmental impact analysis process; however, to ensure the Army has sufficient time to consider public comments on the DEIS, please submit comments by February 2, 2026.
Comments can be submitted four ways:
- Making oral comments to a court reporter at the DEIS public meeting.
- Submitting a written comment on the form provided at the DEIS public meeting.
- Emailing comments to SVADAEIS@tetratech.com.
- Mailing comments via U.S. Postal Service to SVADA EIS c/o Tetra Tech, 107 St. Francis Street, Suite 2370 Mobile, AL 36602. Written comments can be provided via letter or postcard, or on the comment form that you can download and print: Comment Form.
Informational documents for the Savanna Army Depot LRA Parcel 20 EIS:
SVADA 1997 BRAC Environmental Impact Statement
2024 Public Notice - Savanna Army Depot Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Disposal and Reuse of Parcel 20
2023 Jo Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority Final Reuse Plan for Parcel 20
Other Comments or Concerns:
For other SVADA inquiries or for assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please email Mr. Thomas Lineer, Army BRAC Program Manager, at thomas.a.lineer.civ@army.mil. For other DEIS inquiries, please contact Mr. Joseph Hand, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, by phone at 251-694-3881 during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday, or by email at joseph.h.hand@usace.army.mil.