Notice2024-14605
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for T-7a Recapitalization at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 3, 2024
Issuing agencies
Defense DepartmentAir Force Department
Abstract
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts associated with T-7A Recapitalization at Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB), Texas (DAF Unique Identification Number 00099). The EIS will analyze the potential impacts from introduction of T-7A aircraft and flight operations at Sheppard AFB and associated airspace; temporary changes to the number of personnel and dependents in the Sheppard AFB region; and the construction and upgrade of operations, support, and maintenance facilities.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55232-55233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14605]
[[Page 55232]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Air Force
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
T-7a Recapitalization at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
AGENCY: Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is issuing this Notice
of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to
assess the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts
associated with T-7A Recapitalization at Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB),
Texas (DAF Unique Identification Number 00099). The EIS will analyze
the potential impacts from introduction of T-7A aircraft and flight
operations at Sheppard AFB and associated airspace; temporary changes
to the number of personnel and dependents in the Sheppard AFB region;
and the construction and upgrade of operations, support, and
maintenance facilities.
DATES: A public scoping period of 30 days will take place starting from
the date of publication of this NOI in the Federal Register. Comments
will be accepted at any time during the environmental impact analysis
process; however, to ensure 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
in mid-2025. The Final EIS and a decision on which alternative to
implement is expected in late 2025.
DAF invites the public, stakeholders, and other interested parties
to attend a public scoping meeting. Two, in-person public scoping
meetings will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on July 30th and 31st,
2024. Both meetings will be held in Cannedy Hall at the Wichita Falls
Museum of Art at Midwestern State University (MSU) located on Eureka
Circle on the MSU Campus, Wichita Falls, TX. The address is 2 Eureka
Circle, Wichita Falls, TX 76308. Information provided at the meetings
will be available on the project website (<a href="https://sheppard.t-7anepadocuments.com/">https://sheppard.t-7anepadocuments.com/</a>). Attendees of the public scoping meeting will
have the opportunity to submit written comments.
ADDRESSES: Scoping comments can be submitted via the project website
(<a href="https://sheppard.t-7anepadocuments.com/">https://sheppard.t-7anepadocuments.com/</a>), or via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f6c67666163666168216c676a614f7a7c216e6921626663"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fa999293949693949dd499929f94ba8f89d49b9cd4979396">[email protected]</span></a> or via postal mail to Ms. Chinling Chen, AFCEC/
CIE; Attn: Sheppard AFB T-7A Recapitalization EIS; Headquarters AETC
Public Affairs; 100 H. East Street, Suite 4; Randolph AFB, TX 78150.
Please submit inquiries or requests for printed or digital copies of
the scoping materials via the email or postal address above or contact
the AETC Public Affairs office by phone at 210-652-4400. Scoping
materials are also available in print at the Wichita Falls Public
Library at 600 11th Street, Wichita Falls, Texas.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Proposed Action is to
continue the T-7A recapitalization program to prepare pilots to operate
modern fourth and fifth generation aircraft. The need for the Proposed
Action is to provide infrastructure and training systems to support the
newer T-7A aircraft, allow for enhanced and improved flight and
simulator training, and ensure DAF pilot training requirements are met.
Recapitalization entails introduction of T-7A aircraft and flight
operations at Sheppard AFB to replace all T-38C aircraft assigned to
the installation; nighttime (between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.) flight
operations; temporary changes to the number of personnel and dependents
in the Sheppard AFB region; and construction and upgrade of support and
maintenance facilities. DAF is considering three alternatives to
implement the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. For
Alternative 1, Sheppard AFB would receive up to 108 T-7A aircraft and
phase in T-7A operations at a level sustaining pilot training while
simultaneously phasing out the T-38C. A temporary increase of
approximately 100 personnel is projected. Several construction and
renovation projects would potentially occur at Sheppard AFB to provide
modern facilities and infrastructure to support T-7A aircraft
maintenance, training, and operational requirements.
For Alternative 2, Sheppard AFB would receive up to 108 T-7A
aircraft and perform T-7A operations at a level that is approximately
25 percent greater than Alternative 1. Alternative 2 is intended to
cover a scenario in which, for either broad strategic or tactical
operational reasons, DAF requires a surge or increase in pilot training
operations above current plan. The number of T-7A aircraft arriving at
Sheppard AFB and timeline of increased aircraft operations, new and
renovated facilities, and personnel changes would be the same as
described for Alternative 1. For Alternative 3, Sheppard AFB would
receive up to 131 T-7A aircraft. Total T-7A annual operations would be
approximately 22 percent greater than Alternative 1 once the aircraft
transition is complete. Alternative 3 is intended to provide DAF with
operational flexibility, and inclusion of this alternative in this EIS
provides analysis to evaluate future capacity needs. The number of
personnel and anticipated facility requirements would be the same for
Alternatives 1, 2, and 3.
For the No Action Alternative, DAF would not implement T-7A
recapitalization at Sheppard AFB. If the No Action Alternative were
implemented, the T-7A aircraft disposition would be determined
separately. Sheppard AFB's existing fleet of T-38C aircraft would
continue to be used in their current capacity even though they will
reach the end of their service lives within the next decade. Routine
maintenance of facilities to support the continued use of T-38C
aircraft under the No Action Alternative would continue to occur. No
additional facility renovations or improvements supporting T-38C
operations have been identified under the No Action Alternative.
DAF anticipates potential for increased air emissions, particularly
nitrogen oxides, and changes in aircraft noise levels from the Proposed
Action. Increased noise could have a disproportionate impact on
environmental justice populations and impact off-installation land use
compatibility. In addition, facilities and supporting structures
improvement associated with the Proposed Action may impact floodplains.
DAF will also consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
the Texas Historical Commission, and Native American tribes to
determine the potential for significant impacts. Consultation will be
incorporated into the preparation of the EIS and will include, but not
be limited to, consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species
Act and consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act. At this time, the requirement for any permits or
other authorizations has not been determined but will be addressed in
the impact assessment as appropriate.
Scoping and Agency Coordination: To identify important
environmental issues deserving of study and to deemphasize unimportant
issues, narrowing the scope of the environmental impact statement
process, DAF is soliciting comments from interested Federal, State,
Tribal, and local, officials and agencies, as well as likely affected
or interested members of the public.
[[Page 55233]]
Comments are requested on alternatives and effects, as well as on
relevant information, studies, or analyses with respect to the proposed
action.
It is DoD Policy that DoD Components will to the maximum extent
practicable avoid development, siting, or leasing of facilities or
infrastructure within flood hazard areas. Consistent with the
requirements and objectives of Executive Order (E.O.) 11988,
``Floodplain Management,'' as amended by E.O. 13690, ``Establishing a
Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further
Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input,'' state and federal
regulatory agencies with special expertise in floodplains will be
contacted to request comment. Consistent with E.O. 11988 and E.O.
13690, this Notice of Intent initiates public review of the proposed
action and alternatives, which have the potential to be located in a
floodplain.
Tommy W. Lee,
Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-14605 Filed 7-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3911-44-P
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