Notice2022-04465
Programmatic Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact Regarding Iron Dome Defense System-Army
Primary source
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Published
March 3, 2022
Issuing agencies
Defense DepartmentArmy Department
Abstract
The Department of the Army (Army) announces the availability of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and a Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding the proposed fielding of two Iron Dome Defense System--Army (IDDS-A) batteries. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the PEA analyzes the potential environmental impact of IDDS-A at each candidate- installation. That is, the PEA analyzes the potential environmental impact of the additional soldiers, materiel, and training that are required to field IDDS-A. The Proposed Action would enhance the defensive capability of fixed and semi-fixed assets against aerial threats.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12122-12123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04465]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Programmatic Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No
Significant Impact Regarding Iron Dome Defense System--Army
AGENCY: Department of the Army, Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army (Army) announces the availability
of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and a Draft Finding of
No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding the proposed fielding of two
Iron Dome Defense System--Army (IDDS-A) batteries. In accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the PEA analyzes the
potential environmental impact of IDDS-A at each candidate-
installation. That is, the PEA analyzes the potential environmental
impact of the additional soldiers, materiel, and training that are
required to field IDDS-A. The Proposed Action would enhance the
defensive capability of fixed and semi-fixed assets against aerial
threats.
DATES: Comments must be received by April 4, 2022 to be considered in
finalizing the PEA and Draft FONSI.
ADDRESSES: Please mail comments to U.S. Army Environmental Command,
ATTN: IDDS-A Public Comments, 2455 Reynolds Road, Mail Stop 112, JBSA-
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-7588, or email comments to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#96e3e5f7e4fbefb8fcf4e5f7b8fffbf5f9fbbbf7f3f5b8fbf4eeb8f8f3e6f7d6f7e4fbefb8fbfffa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5421273526392d7a3e3627357a3d39373b39793531377a39362c7a3a312435143526392d7a393d38">[email protected]</span></a> with ``IDDS-A Public Comments''
in the subject line.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Cathy Kropp, U.S. Army
Environmental
[[Page 12123]]
Command Public Affairs Office, by email (<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92e7e1f3e0ffebbcf8f0e1f3bcfbfff1fdffbff3f7f1bcfff0eabcfcf7e2f3d2f3e0ffebbcfffbfe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="41343220332c386f2b2332206f282c222e2c6c2024226f2c23396f2f2431200120332c386f2c282d">[email protected]</span></a>), by mail (U.S. Army Environmental Command, ATTN:
Public Affairs, 2455 Reynolds Road, Mail Stop 112, JBSA-Fort Sam
Houston, TX 78234-7588), or by phone (210-466-1590 or 210-488-6061).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Proposed Action is to
field two batteries of IDDS-A in fiscal year (FY) 2022 and improve the
defense of fixed and semi-fixed sites (e.g., airfields and forward
operating bases). IDDS-A would enhance the Army's capacity to defend
against attacks from aircraft, cruise missiles (CM), unmanned aerial
systems (UAS), and rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) fire. The Army
has been developing an air defense system for years, but it is not yet
ready to deploy. The Proposed Action ensures compliance with Section
112 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for FY
2019 (Pub. L. 115-232), which requires the Army to deploy an interim
missile defense capability while the Army continues to develop an
enduring solution. After evaluating existing air defense systems, the
Army chose IDDS-A as the interim capability. This capability is part of
an air and missile defense modernization strategy that seeks to improve
systems across the air defense portfolio.
IDDS-A is a mobile, all-weather, air defense system designed to
intercept RAM threats fired from distances of up to 70 km. It is also
effective against CM, UAS, airplane, and helicopter threats. Each IDDS-
A battery would consist of approximately 60 soldiers, 13 heavy expanded
mobility tactical trucks, six missile-firing units, one radar system,
battle management and communications systems, and support equipment.
All soldiers would be outfitted with a standard set of small arms and
equipment. Since IDDS-A is an interim solution, the Army does not
intend to construct additional office space, maintenance space,
barracks, or training ranges in support of IDDS-A at this time.
The Army considered multiple locations at which existing temporary
or permanent infrastructure can accommodate IDDS-A units and at which
training can be accomplished through live fire or approved simulations.
These installations met a number of mission-related screening criteria.
The Action Alternative is to field the IDDS-A batteries at one or two
of seven installations: Fort Bliss, TX; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Campbell,
KY; Fort Riley, KS; Fort Sill, OK; Fort Stewart, GA; and Joint Base
Lewis-McChord, WA.
The PEA analyzes the potential environmental impact associated with
the Proposed Action at each assessed installation, including direct,
indirect, and cumulative effects. The Army did not conduct a detailed
analysis of socioeconomic impacts because relative to the assessed
installations' respective populations, the IDDS-A batteries represent a
small percentage of total personnel. The PEA takes into account
minimization measures, standard procedures, and best practices
routinely employed by the relevant installations to mitigate the
adverse effects of similar actions.
The PEA also studied a No-Action Alternative. While the No-Action
Alternative would not satisfy the purpose of or need for the Proposed
Action, it provides a comparative baseline against which to examine the
effects of the Proposed Action and the Action Alternative.
Resources considered in the PEA include biological resources,
cultural resources, water resources, soils, land use/compatibility, and
facilities. Based on the PEA's findings, the Army expects the
environmental impact of the Proposed Action at all assessed
installations to be less than significant (i.e., negligible or minor).
Government agencies, Native American Tribes, and the public are
invited to review and comment on the PEA and Draft FONSI. The public
comment period begins with publication of this Notice of Availability
in the Federal Register and lasts for 30 days. The PEA and Draft FONSI
are available on the U.S. Army Environmental Command website at <a href="https://aec.army.mil/index.php?cID=352">https://aec.army.mil/index.php?cID=352</a>. If you cannot access the PEA and Draft
FONSI online, please request a hard copy by contacting U.S. Army
Environmental Command by email (<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#17626476657a6e397d756476397e7a74787a3a767274397a756f39797267765776657a6e397a7e7b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="66131507140b1f480c041507480f0b05090b4b070305480b041e48080316072607140b1f480b0f0a">[email protected]</span></a>), by mail (U.S. Army Environmental Command, ATTN:
Public Affairs, 2455 Reynolds Road, Mail Stop 112, JBSA-Fort Sam
Houston, TX 78234-7588), or by phone (210-466-1590 or 210-488-6061).
The Army will consider all timely public comments and will
thereafter issue either a Final FONSI or a Notice of Intent to prepare
an Environmental Impact Statement. Comments must be received or
postmarked by April 4, 2022 to be considered.
James W. Satterwhite, Jr.,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-04465 Filed 3-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3711-02-P
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