NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY: DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS

  • Published
  • 36 Wing
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY: DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT  and NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS
Department of the Air Force
 
The Department of the Air Force invites you to review the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and attend the public meetings for the proposed F-15 Beddown and Infrastructure Upgrades at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.'
 

PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, the Department of the Air Force (DAF) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public review that analyzes the potential environmental consequences associated with the proposal to beddown up to 12 F-15 aircraft of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and to construct infrastructure upgrades at Andersen AFB. The DAF is the lead agency for the EIS, and the Department of the Navy is a cooperating agency. 

The Proposed Action includes construction of new infrastructure upgrades adjacent to the northwest corner of the existing airfield and within the munitions storage area at Andersen AFB. Construction of upgrades would begin in 2025, take place over approximately 3 to 7 years, and include airfield pavements, an aircraft hangar, maintenance and utilities buildings, fuel systems, fencing and utilities, roadways and parking, stormwater management infrastructure, and earth-covered magazines. Approximately 209 total acres would be disturbed during construction, and would either be developed or maintained vegetation once construction is complete. The Proposed Action also includes the beddown of up to 12 RSAF F-15 fighter aircraft, which would include F-15 airfield operations, aircraft operations by supporting aircraft, and personnel to support the F-15 squadron’s mission requirements. The F-15 beddown is anticipated to begin in 2029 and would not be wholly dependent upon completion of the infrastructure upgrade construction.

The DAF reviewed requirements for strategic capabilities within the Indo-Pacific region and identified Andersen AFB for enhanced capabilities, including beddown of up to 12 RSAF F-15 aircraft and upgrade of operationally relevant infrastructure, dismissing five other potential alternative locations within the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility from consideration. Once Andersen AFB was identified for enhanced strategic capabilities, the DAF considered other locations on Andersen AFB for the infrastructure upgrades and considered renovation or replacement of existing infrastructure; however, only the Proposed Action locations were determined to meet the criteria for the infrastructure upgrades.

DRAFT EIS. The Draft EIS analyzes and presents the potential environmental consequences associated with the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. The DAF conducted cultural and natural resources surveys in the areas proposed for upgrades, and is consulting with the appropriate resource agencies to determine the potential for significant impacts on those resources and corresponding mitigation measures, as needed. It is not expected that the Proposed Action would result in significant impacts on other topics analyzed in the Draft EIS. The Final EIS and a Record of Decision on the Proposed Action are expected in Spring 2025.

The Draft EIS is available for download at www.AAFBInfraAndF15EIS.com and may also be viewed at the following libraries: Nieves M. Flores Memorial Library, 254 Martyr Street, Hagåtña, GU 96910; and University of Guam Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Government Documents, Tan Siu Lin Building, UOG Station, 303 University Drive, Mangilao, GU 96923.

PUBLIC MEETINGS – ALL ARE WELCOME. The DAF requests comments from local and federal agencies, political stakeholders, and interested members of the public. The DAF is holding two public meetings to provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about the proposal and provide input. The public meetings will be held in an “open house” format for the duration of each meeting, and all members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend. Written and verbal comments will be accepted at the meetings; your input is valuable and assists the DAF in making more informed decisions. Meetings will take place at the following dates and times:

  • Wednesday, July 17, 2024; 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Dededo Senior Center, Dededo
  • Thursday, July 18, 2024; 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Yigo Senior Center, Yigo

Project informational materials are available on the project website and as hardcopies at the libraries listed above. Specific material requests may also be made to the addresses below. For printed material requests, the standard U.S. Postal Service shipping timeline will apply. Please consider the environment before requesting printed material.

PUBLIC COMMENT. The DAF welcomes comments, suggestions, and relevant information on the Draft EIS. Please submit comments in English at the public meetings; on the project website at www.AAFBInfraAndF15EIS.com; by sending an email to
afcec.aafb.infrasandf-15eis@us.af.mil; or via postal mail to HQ AFCEC/CIE, ATTN: Mr. David Martin, Bldg. 171, 2261 Hughes Ave., Ste. 155, JBSA Lackland AFB, TX 78236-9853, (U.S. POSTAL SERVICES DELIVERY). The DAF also welcomes comments under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR Part 800) regarding the identification of or effects on historic properties.

To ensure the DAF has sufficient time to consider public input, please submit comments by July 29, 2024.

                                http://www.aafbinfraandf15eis.com/