Environmental Assessment Addressing the Expansion of Sortie-Operations at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.

摘要

The USAF proposes the expansion of sortie-operations within existing airspace components and ranges and a corresponding weapons expenditure rate increase on existing ranges to ensure the accomplishment of readiness training requirements for Moody AFB aircraft and airmen. Realistic training is required to ensure aircrews are mission-trained, qualified, and prepared for deployment to support real-world events, which include the tactical delivery of air-to- ground munitions, laser designation of targets from ground and airborne platforms, and threat evasion. These training events would occur in existing airspace components and ranges associated with training for Moody AFB. There would be no personnel changes or construction activities as part of the Proposed Action. This EA analyzes and documents potential environmental consequences associated with the Proposed Action and reasonable alternatives to the Proposed Action at Moody AFB and the associated airspace and ranges. If the analyses presented in this EA indicate that implementation of the management alternatives would not result in significant environmental or socioeconomic impacts, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) would be prepared. If significant environmental issues are identified that cannot be minimized to insignificant levels, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be prepared or the Proposed Action would be abandoned and no action would be taken. The EA is to be made available to government agencies and the public upon completion. The EA will evaluate the potential environmental consequences on the following 11 resource categories: geological resources, water resources infrastructure, airspace management and flight safety, noise, land use, socioeconomic resources and environmental justice, cultural resources, air quality, biological resources, and hazardous materials and wastes.