Department of the Army June 21, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of the Army announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the disposition of two historic hangars at Fort Wainwright (FWA). The Draft EIS analyzes and evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with proposed disposition options for two historic World War II-era hangars (Hangars 2 and 3) and supporting infrastructure located on the Main Post of FWA. Environmental consequences were evaluated for seven resource areas: Air quality, cultural resources, hazardous materials/hazardous waste, safety, environmental justice and protection of children, sustainability, and transportation. No significant impacts would be anticipated under all resource categories except cultural, which would experience significant impacts. The Army considered several reuse alternatives for the hangars. All but one of these reuse alternatives were not compatible with the current or future military mission at FWA. This one reuse exception as an unmanned aerial system maintenance hangar was determined to be prohibitively expensive. As a result, only one action alternative was considered as reasonable and is analyzed in detail in the Draft EIS: Demolition of Hangars 2 and 3 (Alternative 1). The No Action Alternative is also considered and carried through for detailed analysis in the Draft EIS. Under the No Action Alternative, demolition of Hangars 2 and 3 would not occur, the hangars would remain vacant, and they would be maintained at minimal levels. The No Action Alternative provides the environmental baseline conditions for comparing the impacts associated with the other alternative.