AAFB Infrastructure EIS

About

About NEPA and EISs

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was enacted to address concerns about federal actions and their effects on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the most detailed analysis prescribed by regulations implementing NEPA.

About the Infrastructure Upgrades

Background of the Project

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) and Department of Defense (DoD) strategic initiatives for the Indo-Pacific are continuously evolving in response to the geopolitical climate and have established a focus on stability and security within the region. Core elements of these initiatives, specifically the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, include improving missile defense, operating locations, and critical infrastructure; enhancing the design, posture, capabilities, and prepositioning within the region; and strengthening alliances and partnerships. The proposed Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15 beddown and infrastructure upgrades at Andersen AFB would be conducted in alignment with these initiatives for deterrence and stabilization in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

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Overview of Locations on Andersen AFB Selected for Infrastructure Upgrades

Proposed Action

The Proposed Action includes the beddown and mission support of up to 12 RSAF F-15 fighter aircraft, and construction of infrastructure upgrades adjacent to the northwest
corner of the airfield (North Ramp) and in Munitions Storage Area-1 (MSA-1).

  • F-15 Beddown: Beddown of up to 12 RSAF F-15 fighter aircraft, to include airfield operations from Andersen AFB and an increase in installation personnel. Would include hosting periodic, temporary training events with support aircraft twice per year, for four weeks per event, in support of F-15 training mission requirements. No new airspace is proposed and no changes to the manner in which the existing airspace is used would occur.
  • Infrastructure Upgrades: Construction of infrastructure upgrades over approximately 3 to 7 years at the North Ramp and MSA-1 project areas (Figures 2 and 3). Would provide additional options for parking, storing, maintaining, refueling, loading, and unloading aircraft at the airfield, as well as storing munitions. Could support both the F-15 beddown and other DAF, service component, and partner nation aircraft or missions operating from Andersen AFB now or in the future. Construction would disturb approximately 192 acres at the North Ramp and approximately 17 acres in MSA-1.

The Proposed Action is based on accommodating aircraft types and flight operations that have been addressed under previously prepared NEPA documentation for Andersen AFB, such as bombers, tankers, and fighters. Upgrading existing airfield and munitions infrastructure would allow Andersen AFB to better accommodate the forward presence of aircraft by providing improved facility capabilities that allow for greater efficiencies and agility in the way ground operations are conducted.

The following proposed infrastructure would be constructed or installed at the North Ramp:

  • Airfield pavements
  • Aircraft hangar and maintenance facility
  • Flightline maintenance facility and utility building
  • Jet fuel receipt, storage, and distribution system extension
  • Fencing and utilities extensions
  • Roadways and parking
  • Stormwater management infrastructure

The following proposed infrastructure would be constructed or installed within MSA-1:

  • Three earth covered magazines
  • Pavements and utility extensions
  • Generator
  • Stormwater management infrastructure

 

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Proposed North Ramp Infrastructure Upgrades

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Proposed MSA-1 Infrastructure Upgrades

FAQs

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 was enacted to address concerns about environmental quality. NEPA's main objectives are as follows:

  • Ensure that federal agencies evaluate the potential environmental impacts of proposed programs, projects, and actions before decisions are made to implement them.
  • Inform the public of proposed federal activities that have the potential to affect the human environment, including the natural and physical environments.
  • Encourage and facilitate public involvement in the decision making process.

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the most detailed analysis prescribed by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA. An EIS is a detailed public document describing a proposed action, all alternative actions that were considered, and the environmental impacts of implementing the proposed action and reasonable alternatives. CEQ regulations specify that an EIS be prepared when a federal agency proposes a major action with the potential to significantly affect the quality of the human environment. An EIS is required to “provide a basis of consideration and inform decisionmakers and the public of the reasonable alternatives.

Public scoping is an early and open process, conducted in compliance with NEPA, for identifying issues and alternatives to be addressed in an EIS and determining who (e.g., public and government agencies) is interested in the proposed action. Public outreach is conducted as a part of the public scoping process to provide information to interested parties and to receive comments on the proposed action, alternatives, and potential impacts. Comments received during the public scoping process are considered in the preparation of the Draft EIS.

This project will be limited to existing Andersen AFB land. Under this proposal, the U.S. Air Force is considering new infrastructure upgrades adjacent to the northwest corner of the existing airfield and within the existing munitions storage area at Andersen AFB.

This project is not related to the Marine Corps relocation. The purpose of this Proposed Action is to enhance Andersen AFB's capability to support permanent and rotational forces within the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the U.S.'s ability to respond regionally and worldwide, in alignment with evolving U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense initiatives for the region. To enhance Andersen AFB's capability to support permanent and rotational forces, the U.S. Air Force needs to upgrade mission-related infrastructure.