Department of the Air Force March 5, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Air Force is issuing this notice of intent (NOI) (40 CFR 1508.22) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the proposed action to base two (2) F-35A squadrons (48 Primary Assigned Aircraft (PAA)) at Eielson Air Force Base (AFB), Alaska. The proposed action will also include the use of related airspace and ranges, particularly the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC). The F-35A is the conventional take-off and landing version of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). It is a multiple-role fighter with an emphasis on air-to-ground missions. A No-Action Alternative will be included in the EIS, whereby no F- 35A squadrons would be based at Eielson AFB. The analysis of the no- action alternative will provide a benchmark to enable Air Force decision-makers to compare the magnitude of the environmental effects of the proposed action. No-action means the proposed action would not take place, and the resulting environmental effects from taking no- action will be compared with the effects of allowing the proposed activity to go forward. Scoping: The public scoping process will be used to identify community concerns and local issues to be considered during the draft EIS development process. Federal, state, and local agencies; Alaska Native Tribes and organizations; as well as interested persons are encouraged to provide written comments of environmental concern associated with the proposed action to the Air Force. Comments should be provided by the methods and dates indicated below.