Department of Defense May 18, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 1500- 1508), and Air Force's Environmental Impact Analysis Process as implemented by 32 CFR part 989, the United States Air Force (Air Force) is issuing this notice to advise the public of our intent to prepare a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DPEIS) for the proposed basing of the Global Strike Task Force (GSTF) at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam. The DPEIS will analyze and evaluate the impacts of alternatives for the proposed establishment of an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, strike, and aerial refueling capability at Andersen AFB, as part of Pacific Command's GSTF initiative. The proposed action would base three Global Hawk unmanned aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft and 12 aerial refueling aircraft at Andersen AFB. Additionally, 48 fighter and 6 bomber aircraft would rotate to Andersen AFB from bases in the 50 states. Approximately 2,400 additional military, civilian and contractor personnel would be required to support the proposed action. The action would also result in facility construction, addition, and alteration projects to support basing and operation. This notice is being provided to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the public on the scope of issues to be addressed in the DPEIS, to include alternatives to the proposed action and the potential for impacts. Public comments on the scope of the DPEIS, reasonable alternatives that should be considered, anticipated environmental concerns, and actions that might be taken to address these issues are requested. A public scoping meeting will be held to obtain agency and community input to ensure that all relevant concerns are identified and addressed in the DPEIS. Notification of the meeting location and time will be made in the local area and will be announced via local news media. Written comments will also be accepted at the address listed below.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Secretariat will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning advance payments. The clearance currently expires on July 31, 2005. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.