WASHINGTON - The Army announced Monday it would soon begin constructing a training facility on the north side of the Fort Knox base in central Kentucky.

        The Army stated in the government's Federal Register that building the facility was needed to help U.S. soldiers meet current and future training needs.

        The government previously completed environmental studies to assess the impact on area residents and wildlife.

        More than 1,000 acres of trees will be cleared from the area, but that is less than the roughly 2,000 acres that was in an original plan, said Fort Knox spokesman John Rickey. He said some of the trees would be replanted elsewhere.

        Environmentalists have voiced opposition to the clearing of the trees, some of which are home to the endangered Indiana bat.

        The construction project also will destroy about 67 acres of existing wetlands, Mr. Rickey said. He said the Army planned to recreate wetlands on another 58 acres to make up for the loss.

        Some nearby residents have objected to the new facility, citing noise concerns.

        There used to be a tank range in the area where the new facility is being constructed, but that hasn't been used since 1996, according to Mr. Rickey.

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