Notice2021-16815
Final Environmental Impact Statement and Finding of no Practicable Alternative for Implementation of Area Development Plan at Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Primary source
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Published
August 6, 2021
Issuing agencies
Defense DepartmentArmy Department
Abstract
The Department of Army (Army) announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed implementation of an Area Development Plan (ADP) for Davison Army Airfield (DAAF) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Final EIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts associated with implementing the construction, modernization, and demolition projects at DAAF recommended in the ADP (Proposed Action). A Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONPA) addressing potential impacts on floodplains and wetlands was prepared in parallel with and is included as an appendix to the Final EIS. The Proposed Action would be implemented over an approximately 30-year time period to provide facilities and infrastructure necessary to support the ongoing and future missions of DAAF's tenants. The Proposed Action would improve the airfield's functional layout, demolish and replace aging facilities and infrastructure, and address multiple operational safety concerns along the runway. The ADP is specific to DAAF and all projects would occur entirely within its boundaries. No substantial changes in missions, air operations, or the number of aircraft and personnel at DAAF would occur under the Proposed Action.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 149 (Friday, August 6, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 149 (Friday, August 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43231-43232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16815]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of Army
Final Environmental Impact Statement and Finding of no
Practicable Alternative for Implementation of Area Development Plan at
Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
AGENCY: Department of Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Army (Army) announces the availability of
the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed
implementation of an Area Development Plan (ADP) for Davison Army
Airfield (DAAF) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Final EIS analyzes the
potential environmental impacts associated with implementing the
construction, modernization, and demolition projects at DAAF
recommended in the ADP (Proposed Action). A Finding of No Practicable
Alternative (FONPA) addressing potential impacts on floodplains and
wetlands was prepared in parallel with and is included as an appendix
to the Final EIS. The Proposed Action would be implemented over an
approximately 30-year time period to provide facilities and
infrastructure necessary to support the ongoing and future missions of
DAAF's tenants. The Proposed Action would improve the airfield's
functional layout, demolish and replace aging facilities and
infrastructure, and address multiple operational safety concerns along
the runway. The ADP is specific to DAAF and all projects would occur
entirely within its boundaries. No substantial changes in missions, air
operations, or the number of aircraft and personnel at DAAF would occur
under the Proposed Action.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact: Ms. Wilamena G.
Harback, Fort Belvoir Directorate of Public Works-Environmental
Division (DPW-ED) via phone at (703) 806-3193 or (703) 806-0020, during
normal working business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. Further information may also be requested via email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3a7c55484e785f564c5553487475737a4f495b595f145b48574314575356"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0b4d64797f496e677d6462794544424b7e786a686e256a79667225666267">[email protected]</span></a>. Electronic copies of the Final EIS and
FONPA are available on Fort Belvoir's website at: <a href="https://home.army.mil/belvoir/index.php/about/Garrison/directorate-public-works/environmental-division">https://home.army.mil/belvoir/index.php/about/Garrison/directorate-public-works/environmental-division</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS analyzes the potential
environmental impacts of the Army's Proposed Action to implement the
construction, modernization, and demolition projects recommended in the
ADP. The Proposed Action would occur entirely within the 673-acre DAAF
property on Fort Belvoir. Up to 24 ADP projects would be implemented in
three sequential phases over the course of an approximately 30-year
time period, as follows: Short-range (next 10 years), mid-range (11 to
20 years from now), and long-range (21 to 30 years from now). No
substantial changes in missions, air operations, or the number of
aircraft and personnel at DAAF would occur under the Proposed Action.
Operational noise levels following implementation of the Proposed
Action would remain similar to current conditions.
The Proposed Action includes the construction of new hangars,
administrative and operational facilities; the modernization of
existing facilities; the demolition of up to 37 existing buildings and
structures; and related infrastructure improvements. Demolition
activities would remove a number of facilities that partially obstruct
the airfield's Primary and Transitional Surfaces, which are required to
be free of obstructions in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD)
operational safety criteria. These facilities require temporary safety
waivers to operate.
The Final EIS assesses the direct, indirect, and cumulative
potential environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action. In
support of the Final EIS, the Army conducted consultation to obtain
regulatory concurrence in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and
Section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act.
The Army evaluated several alternatives for the Proposed Action
before selecting two action alternatives for detailed analysis in the
Final EIS: The Full Implementation Alternative and the Partial
Implementation Alternative. A No Action Alternative was also carried
forward for analysis.
1. Full Implementation Alternative (Preferred Alternative): This
alternative would implement the complete suite of 24 projects
recommended in the DAAF ADP. The Full Implementation Alternative would
accommodate the space and functional needs of all DAAF tenants
consistent with applicable DoD requirements. It would also fulfill
DAAF's vision to create a safe, secure, sustainable, and consolidated
aviation complex.
2. Partial Implementation Alternative: This alternative would
implement a modified, reduced program of 15 ADP projects at DAAF. The
Partial Implementation Alternative would not address DAAF's tenants'
requirements in full, but would substantially improve conditions.
Under the No Action Alternative, the Army would not implement the
DAAF ADP; existing conditions at the airfield would continue for the
foreseeable future. The No Action Alternative does not meet the
Proposed Action's purpose and need, but was analyzed in the Final EIS
to provide a baseline for the comparison of impacts from the Full and
Partial Implementation Alternatives.
The Final EIS analyzed the Proposed Action's potential impacts on
land use, aesthetics, and coastal zone management; historic and
cultural resources; air quality; noise; geology, topography, and soils;
water resources; biological resources; health and safety; and hazardous
materials and waste.
[[Page 43232]]
The Final EIS determined that the Full Implementation Alternative
and Partial Implementation Alternative would have potentially
significant adverse impacts on waters of the U.S., including wetlands,
from the construction and operation of new facilities and
infrastructure. Adverse impacts on all other resources analyzed in the
Final EIS, including the 100-year floodplain on DAAF, would be less-
than-significant under either action alternative. Adherence to
applicable regulatory permitting requirements would mitigate
significant adverse effects on waters of the U.S. to the extent
possible. Management measures would be implemented to avoid or minimize
less-than-significant adverse impacts on all other resources. Both
action alternatives would have beneficial effects on land use, plans,
and aesthetics, and the management of hazardous materials and waste on
the airfield.
In compliance with Executive Order (E.O.) 11988, Floodplain
Management and E.O. 11990, Protection of Wetlands, the Army prepared a
FONPA explaining its decision to implement the Proposed Action in the
100-year floodplain and wetlands on DAAF.
The Army conducted a 45-day public review and comment period for
the Draft EIS and Draft FONPA between July 24 and September 8, 2020,
including two publicly accessible teleconferences on August 24, 2020.
Comments received during the public comment period were considered by
the Army and are addressed accordingly in the Final EIS. None of the
comments required substantive changes to the Proposed Action,
alternatives, or impact analysis.
The Final EIS and FONPA are being made available to the public for
30 days in accordance with the Army NEPA regulations under 32 CFR 651.
Electronic copies of these documents will be available for review or
download on Fort Belvoir's website at: <a href="https://home.army.mil/belvoir/index.php/about/Garrison/directorate-public-works/environmental-division">https://home.army.mil/belvoir/index.php/about/Garrison/directorate-public-works/environmental-division</a>. Due to closures of public facilities associated with the
COVID-19 pandemic, printed copies of the Final EIS and FONPA will not
be made available at local public libraries. A printed copy of the
Final EIS or FONPA may be requested from Fort Belvoir DPW-ED at the
phone number or email address provided above.
The Army will prepare and publish its Record of Decision (ROD) for
the Proposed Action no sooner than 30 days after the publication of
this NOA for the Final EIS. The ROD will identify the Environmentally
Preferred Alternative, the Army's Selected Alternative for implementing
the Proposed Action, and the mitigation and protective measures that
will be incorporated to prevent or minimize potential adverse impacts.
Publication of the ROD will formally conclude the NEPA process for the
DAAF ADP EIS.
James W. Satterwhite Jr.,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021-16815 Filed 8-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5061-AP-P
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