PUBLIC NOTICE U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Environmental Assessment Scoping Notice for the Proposed Acquisition of 54 Acres of Land Adjacent to the Fort Gibson National Cemetery Located in Fort Gibson, Muskogee County, Oklahoma

PUBLIC NOTICE U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Environmental Assessment Scoping Notice for the Proposed Acquisition of 54 Acres of Land Adjacent to the Fort Gibson National Cemetery Located in Fort Gibson, Muskogee County, Oklahoma To fulfill its mission to honor Veterans and ensure continued interment availability, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has determined that there is a need to expand Veteran burial options within the northeast/east-central region of Oklahoma. VA's Proposed Action is to acquire approximately 54 acres of land, composed of five parcels, located immediately south of and adjacent to the Fort Gibson National Cemetery, 1423 Cemetery Road, Fort Gibson, Muskogee County, OK. The additional land will support the development of future gravesites and facilities, ensuring that sufficient interment capacity remains available at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery to meet the National Cemetery Administration's goal of providing eligible Veterans and their family members with reasonable access to VA interment options. These benefits are provided by VA under the National Cemetery Act of 1973 and Chapter 24 of Title 38, United States Code. VA is preparing an environmental assessment (EA) of the potential environmental impacts of the Proposed Action. VA is seeking input from stakeholders as part of the scoping process in the development of this document. VA is preparing the EA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S. Code [USC]§ 4321 et seq.). Through this notice, VA is also providing the public with information about the Proposed Action and seeking public comment and input about the undertaking's effects on historic properties pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 USC § 306108), and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800 - Protection of Historic Properties). VA is using its procedures for public involvement under NEPA in lieu of public involvement requirements in Subpart B of the Section 106 regulations per 36 CFR Part 800.2(d)(3). This notice does not serve as an invitation to consult under Section 106; it is solely to seek and consider the views of the public. VA is conducting its Section 106 review and consultation separately. If you have comments on the scope of the EA, the range of alternatives, and environmental issues for in-depth analysis, please email your comments to vacoenvironment@va.gov with the subject line "Fort Gibson National Cemetery 54-Acre Acquisition EA Scoping". VA will publish the Draft EA online at https://www.cfm.va.gov/environmental/index.asp for a 30-day public review and comment period. The Notice of Availability of the Draft EA will be posted in The Oklahoman. LPXLP May 20, 24 2026 LOKL0521129