Notice2023-27166
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Department of the Air Force F-15 Beddown and Infrastructure Upgrades at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam
Primary source
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Published
December 15, 2023
Issuing agencies
Defense DepartmentAir Force Department
Abstract
On April 20, 2021, the Department of the Air Force (DAF), and the U.S. Navy acting as a cooperating agency, issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Infrastructure Upgrades at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam. The DAF and U.S. Navy are now reissuing this Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the proposed F-15 Beddown and Infrastructure Upgrades at Andersen AFB, Guam. In addition to the originally proposed infrastructure upgrades, the EIS will assess the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts associated with supporting the beddown of 12 Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15 fighter aircraft and constructing proposed infrastructure upgrades at Andersen AFB. The beddown of 12 RSAF F-15 fighter aircraft is in addition to what was previously proposed.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 240 (Friday, December 15, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 240 (Friday, December 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 86884-86885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27166]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Air Force
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
Department of the Air Force F-15 Beddown and Infrastructure Upgrades at
Andersen Air Force Base, Guam
AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: On April 20, 2021, the Department of the Air Force (DAF), and
the U.S. Navy acting as a cooperating agency, issued a Notice of Intent
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Infrastructure
Upgrades at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam. The DAF and U.S. Navy
are now reissuing this Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for the
proposed F-15 Beddown and Infrastructure Upgrades at Andersen AFB,
Guam. In addition to the originally proposed infrastructure upgrades,
the EIS will assess the potential social, economic, and environmental
impacts associated with supporting the beddown of 12
[[Page 86885]]
Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15 fighter aircraft and
constructing proposed infrastructure upgrades at Andersen AFB. The
beddown of 12 RSAF F-15 fighter aircraft is in addition to what was
previously proposed.
DATES: A public scoping period of 30 days, to update the public on
changes to the DAF's proposal that have occurred since the original
scoping period ended on May 30, 2021, will take place starting from the
date of this NOI publication in the Federal Register. Comments will be
accepted at any time during the environmental impact analysis process;
however, to ensure the DAF has sufficient time to consider public
scoping comments during preparation of the Draft EIS, please submit
comments within the 30-day scoping period. The Draft EIS is anticipated
mid-2024. The Final EIS and a decision on the Proposed Action are
expected in early to mid-2025.
ADDRESSES: For EIS inquires or requests for printed or digital copies
of scoping materials, please contact Mr. David Martin, phone: (210)
925-4266 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#731712051a175d1e1201071a1d5d4241443306005d12155d1e1a1f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fb9f9a8d929fd5969a898f9295d5cac9ccbb8e88d59a9dd5969297">[email protected]</span></a>, or postal address provided
below. The project website (<a href="http://www.AAFBInfraandF15EIS.com">www.AAFBInfraandF15EIS.com</a>) provides
additional information on the EIS and can be used to submit scoping
comments. Scoping comments may also be submitted via postal mail to
36th Civil Engineer Squadron, ATTN: CEV (AAFB F-15 and Infrastructure
EIS), Unit 14007, APO, AP 96543-4007. For printed material requests,
the standard U.S. Postal Service shipping timeline will apply. Please
consider the environment before requesting printed material.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DAF is proposing to beddown and support
the mission of 12 RSAF F-15 fighter aircraft, and construct
infrastructure upgrades at Andersen AFB, Guam. Following the initial
scoping period conducted in April to May 2021 (86 FR 20487, April 20,
2021), the DAF placed the EIS on a strategic pause to further consider
the scope of the EIS, including the requirements of evolving strategic
initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region and how the Proposed Action
could best support these initiatives. As a result of the strategic
pause, the DAF revised the scope of the Proposed Action to include the
beddown of 12 RSAF F-15 fighter aircraft and associated mission
support. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to provide critical
infrastructure that enhances U.S. posture west of the International
Date Line. Additionally, the purpose of the Proposed Action is to
beddown and operate Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter aircraft at
Andersen AFB to support training requirements. The Proposed Action is
needed to enhance DAF capability to support U.S. and partner nation
forces within the Indo-Pacific region and strengthen the U.S.'s ability
to respond regionally and worldwide, through construction of
infrastructure upgrades and increased support of fighter aircraft, in
alignment with evolving DAF and DoD strategies and initiatives for the
region. Increasing and improving airfield and munitions infrastructure
would address capability gaps and allow for greater efficiencies and
agility in the way ground operations are conducted. The DAF is the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) lead agency, and the U.S. Navy
is a cooperating agency for this EIS process.
Under this proposal, the DAF is considering the beddown and mission
support of 12 RSAF F-15 fighter aircraft, increase in annual airfield
operations, increase in personnel to support the mission, and new
infrastructure upgrades adjacent to the northwest corner of the
airfield and within the munitions storage area at Andersen AFB.
Construction would take place over approximately 3 to 7 years and would
include airfield pavements, an aircraft hangar, maintenance and
utilities buildings, fuel systems, fencing and utilities, roadways and
parking, stormwater management infrastructure, and earth covered
magazines. Approximately 209 total acres would be disturbed during
construction, which would be either developed sites or maintained
vegetation once construction is complete. The proposed infrastructure
has multiple uses and could support both the RSAF F-15 beddown and
other DAF, service component, and partner nation aircraft or missions
operating from Andersen AFB now or in the future. The DAF reviewed
requirements for strategic capabilities within the Indo-Pacific region
and identified Andersen AFB for enhanced capabilities, including
beddown of 12 RSAF F-15 aircraft and upgrade of operationally relevant
infrastructure, dismissing five other potential alternative locations
within the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility from
consideration. Once Andersen AFB was identified for enhanced strategic
capabilities, the DAF considered other locations on Andersen AFB for
construction of infrastructure upgrades; however, only the Proposed
Action locations were determined to meet the criteria for the
infrastructure upgrades. The No Action Alternative will also be
addressed in the EIS.
Additional review and consultation which will be incorporated into
the preparation of the Draft EIS will include, but are not necessarily
limited to, consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act
and consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act. The DAF will conduct cultural and natural resources
surveys in the areas proposed for upgrades and consult with appropriate
resource agencies to determine the potential for significant impacts on
those resources. The Draft EIS will present the analysis of the
potential effects of the Proposed Action and alternatives, which may
include effects on historic properties, sensitive species or habitat,
socioeconomics, and the noise environment among other currently unknown
potential effects. Any required permits or authorizations will be
determined through the EIS analysis process and presented in the Draft
EIS.
Scoping and Agency Coordination: To effectively define the full
range of issues to be evaluated in the EIS, the DAF is soliciting
comments from interested local, territorial, and federal elected
officials and agencies, as well as interested members of the public and
other stakeholders. Comments are requested on potential alternatives
and impacts, and identification of any relevant information, studies,
or analyses of any kind concerning impacts affecting the quality of the
human environment. Concurrent with the publication of this Notice of
Intent, public scoping notices will be announced locally. Public
scoping updates will be accomplished via the project website at
<a href="http://www.AAFBInfraandF15EIS.com">www.AAFBInfraandF15EIS.com</a>. The website provides posters, an
informational brochure, and other scoping materials, and the capability
for the public to provide public scoping comments.
Tommy W. Lee,
Acting Air Force Federal Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-27166 Filed 12-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-10-P
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