Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Stationing and Training of Increased Aviation Assets Within U.S. Army Alaska, 46984-46985 [E9-21933]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Department of the Army
• Army Department

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 176 (Monday, September 14, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46984-46985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21933]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Stationing and 
Training of Increased Aviation Assets Within U.S. Army Alaska

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA).

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army announces the availability of an 
FEIS for the implementation of the decision to

[[Page 46985]]

increase numbers and types of aviation assets and training at Fort 
Wainwright, Fort Richardson, or other military installations in Alaska. 
The proposed aviation unit, an Aviation Task Force or Combat Aviation 
Brigade, would potentially consist of up to 62 medium and heavy lift 
helicopters, 30 combat scout helicopters, 24 attack helicopters, and 
between 1,200 to 2,850 Soldiers.

DATES: The waiting period for the FEIS will end 30 days after the 
publication of an NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be forwarded to Ms. Carrie McEnteer, 
Directorate of Public Works, Attention: IMPA-FWA-PWE, 1060 Gaffney Road 
4500, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703-4500, by fax at (907) 361-
9867, or by e-mail at carrie.mcenteer@us.army.mil.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Linda L. Douglass, Public Affairs 
Office, 1060 Gaffney Road 5900, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703-
5900; telephone: (907) 353-6701, e-mail: linda.douglass@us.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Proposed Action and analysis in the FElS 
includes the reorganization of existing aviation assets (approximately 
490 Soldiers and 32 medium and heavy lift helicopters) in U.S. Army 
Alaska (USARAK) to become a frontline aviation unit with an increased 
capacity that could range in size from an Aviation Task Force 
(approximately 1,200 Soldiers, 42 medium and heavy lift helicopters and 
30 combat scout helicopters) to a Combat Aviation Brigade 
(approximately 2,850 Soldiers, 62 medium and heavy lift helicopters, 30 
combat scout helicopters, and 24 attack aviation helicopters).
    While USARAK has historically supported unit training activities 
within Alaska with rotary-winged aircraft (helicopters), the types and 
numbers of current assets are not sufficient to provide the full range 
of integrated tactical training required by the modern Brigade Combat 
Team. The proposed increase and reorganization of USARAK's aviation 
assets would resolve this shortcoming. The new aviation unit would 
provide key aviation assets for operational deployment abroad and would 
serve to enhance the training capability of USARAK's two Brigade Combat 
Teams by providing a local opportunity to conduct integrated training 
with multiple types of Army aviation assets.
    In addition to consideration of a No Action Alternative (use of 
existing aviation assets and infrastructure to support USARAK Brigade 
Combat Team training with no increase to current integrated land-air 
training capability), two additional alternatives are proposed as 
possible scenarios for the reorganization of existing USARAK aviation 
assets. The alternatives vary by aviation unit size, aviation asset 
composition, and stationing location. Alternatives include: (1) 
Expansion of Existing Aviation Units into an Aviation Task Force--
convert existing USARAK aviation assets into an Aviation Task Force 
(station 710 additional Soldiers and 40 additional helicopters, build 
sufficient new infrastructure to support the new aviation inventory at 
Fort Wainwright, and conduct increased aviation training on existing 
Alaska military training lands and ranges); and (2) Expansion of 
Existing Aviation Assets into a Combat Aviation Brigade with stationing 
of Soldiers and helicopters at Fort Wainwright, Fort Richardson, and 
Eielson Air Force Base--convert existing USARAK aviation assets into a 
Combat Aviation Brigade (station 2,360 additional Soldiers and an 
additional 84 helicopters (30 medium and heavy lift type, 30 combat 
scout type, and 24 attack type) at the three military installations, 
build sufficient new infrastructure only at Fort Wainwright to support 
the new aviation inventory, and conduct increased aviation training on 
existing Alaska military training lands and ranges). After reviewing 
the alternatives presented in the FEIS, the Army has selected the 
Aviation Task Force alternative as its preferred alternative.
    Implementation of this proposed action is expected to result in 
direct, indirect and cumulative impacts as a result of troop 
stationing, facilities construction and helicopter training exercises 
at USARAK. The principal environmental impacts discussed in the EIS are 
airspace management, cultural and visual resources, noise, hazardous 
materials and hazardous waste, and wildlife. Although additional 
helicopters would be stationed in Alaska, existing airspace aviation 
travel routes would be utilized resulting in minor increases in air 
traffic. Significant adverse impacts would occur to the Ladd Field 
National Historic Landmark as a result of facility construction at Fort 
Wainwright. Adverse impacts would be the result of the new construction 
being out of scale with historic buildings, historical view-shed 
obstruction and change in use of two historic buildings. Temporary 
minor noise impacts would occur due to facility construction. Noise 
associated with helicopter training would increase but not to a level 
that would significantly increase annoyance levels at Fort Wainwright 
or surrounding lands. Hazardous materials and waste, both existing 
sources and those created by the stationing and operation of an 
aviation unit, will be managed under existing programs and agreements. 
Facility construction is proposed within known areas of contamination. 
USARAK will continue to consult with the appropriate State and Federal 
agencies as outlined in existing agreements in order to protect human 
health and the environment. Various wildlife species would be affected 
by increased military training (specifically moose, bison, caribou, 
trumpeter swan and bear); however, population level impacts would not 
occur. In addition, increased hunting pressure on game mammals could 
result from increased stationing of Soldiers.
    Copies of the FEIS are available for public review at local 
libraries and at the following Web site: https://www.usarak.army.mil/conservation/NEPA_home.html. Comments from the public will be 
considered before any final decision is made.

    Dated: September 2, 2009.
Addison D. Davis, IV,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health).
[FR Doc. E9-21933 Filed 9-11-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M