Proposed Expansion of German Air Force Operations at Holloman AFB, New Mexico. Final Environmental Impact Statement. Volume III: Comment Letters and Responses to Comments

摘要

The Final Environmental Impact Statement analyzed the potential environmental consequences from the proposal to beddown 30 additional German Air Force Tornado aircraft and 640 personnel at Holloman Air Force Base (AFB) New Mexico. The proposal would include construction affecting 96 acres at Holloman AFB. In order to meet the training needs of the Tornado aircrews, three training options were considered. These training options included the same basic elements, and differed only with respect to use of airspace and ranges. The options were (1) Construct a new target complex (NTC) on western Otero mesa on McGregor Range; (2) construct a NTC in the Tularosa Basin portion of McGregor Range; and (3) using existing target areas for air-to-ground training. The analysis presented impacts to airspace, noise, land use, air quality, biological resources, archaeological, cultural, and historical resources, water resources, hazardous material and waste management, socioeconomics, transportation, utilities, soils, and safety. The findings indicate that potential environmental impacts from the proposed action and all training options would include increased aircraft related noise in some portions of the affected airspace, slight to moderate impacts to biological resources, overflight disturbance to land use, and positive economic growth.