[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4403-4404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1606]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Notice of Intent To Prepare Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Hardwood Range Expansion and Related Airspace Actions, Hardwood 
Range, Wood County, WI

    The United States Air Force and the Air National Guard are 
announcing their intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) to analyze the proposed action regarding the Hardwood Range 
expansion into Wood County Wisconsin and modification and/or expansion 
of related airspace in the states of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. 
This action will be known as the Hardwood EIS.
    The Air National Guard proposes to modify Hardwood Air-to-Surface 
Gunnery Range located on the northern most portion of Juneau County 
near the town of Finley, Wisconsin. This proposed action will expand 
the land area by approximately 7,130 acres north of the current 
boundaries into Wood County. A new target area, an area for an aircraft 
assault strip and a new drop zone is proposed to be developed. The 
action will provide for multi-directional entry into the range, 
allowing each unit to accomplish a broader range of training, and 
helping to reduce the expense incurred in deploying to more distant 
ranges. This action is also being proposed to enhance operational 
safety. The proposed expansion would ensure military flights remain 
over land owned or controlled by the government, further increasing 
safety for the civilian population near the range. The number of 
aircraft sorties flown annually would increase from 3,401 to 3,966. 
Restricted airspace would be modified to include the contiguous new 
range boundaries to ensure the safety of non-participating aircraft. 
The action would lower the bottom altitude and expand the lateral 
confines of the Restricted Airspace 6904B. It would also increase the 
maximum altitude of R-6904A and R-6904B from 17,000 MSL to 25,000 MSL.
    Three stand-alone airspace actions are being proposed which are 
independent of the range expansion. The first proposed airspace action 
will establish six new Military Training Routes (MTRs) south of the 
range that will encompass two ground tracks. The proposed ground tracks 
would be oriented predominately north-south, and extend approximately 
200 Nautical Miles (NM) from Hardwood Range. The two ground tracks 
merge approximately 60 NM south of the range. The location is 
southwestern Wisconsin and northeastern Iowa. A total of approximately 
2,150 flights would be flown annually along the six routes. These MTRs 
will allow Air National Guard and other military units closer training 
airspace, allowing the units to accomplish more training on each 
flight.
    The second airspace proposal will increase the number of sorties 
flown from 185 to 1,340 in the existing Volk South Military Operations 
Area (MOA). This MOA is located south of Hardwood Range. It is 
presently used in conjunction with the range and other adjoining 
airspace for aircraft training sorties. The use of multi-directional 
entries into Hardwood Range would increase utilization. Also, new 
weapons and tactics would require increased use of the Volk South MOA 
in conjunction with adjoining Volk West and Volk East MOAs.
    The third airspace action is to reassess Visual Route-1616 for 
increased utilization. This MTR begins in southeastern Minnesota and 
traverses easterly into Hardwood Range. The utilization would increase 
from 2,187 to 2,423 sorties annually. This increase is expected to 
satisfy users training requirements.
    Alternatives under consideration include establishing a new air-to-
surface gunnery range, using the existing US Army Range at Fort McCoy, 
closing Hardwood Range and redirecting units to other ranges, and the 
no action alternative.
    The Air Force and Air National Guard are planning to conduct a 
series of scoping meetings on the following dates and times at the 
indicated locations:
    1. Mauston Expo Center, Hickory Street, Mauston, WI, February 14, 
1995, 7:00 PM.
    2. Independence High School, 108 6th Street, Independence, WI, 
February 15, 1995, 7:00 PM.
    3. Pittsville Community Center, Main Street and 3rd Avenue, 
Pittsville, WI, February 16, 1995, 7:00 PM.
    4. Tilford Middle School, 308 East 13th Street, Vinton, IA, 
February 21, 1995, 7:00 PM
    5. Boscobel Community Center, Oak Street, Boscobel, WI, February 
22, 1995, 7:00 PM.
    6. Elkader Community School, North 1st Street, Elkader, IA, 
February 23, 1995, 7:00 PM
    The purpose of these meetings is to present information concerning 
the proposed actions and alternatives under consideration and solicit 
public input on issues to be addressed, effort to be expended, and 
alternatives that should be addressed in the EIS. Questions or 
clarifications concerning the proposal, or any other information 
presented, will be answered as they relate to the scope of the effort 
anticipated.
    The scoping meetings will provide opportunities for clarification 
of the proposal and statements from representatives of government 
agencies and the public. Additional presentations and questions will be 
accepted at the end of the meeting. Submission of written and oral 
comments and questions will be accepted. Submission [[Page 4404]] of 
written comments is encouraged but is not required. Written comments 
and questions of any length submitted at the meeting or during the 
scoping period will be considered in their entirety and will carry the 
same weight as oral comment.
    The Air Force and Air National Guard will accept comments at the 
address below at any time during the environmental impact analysis 
process. To ensure the Air Force and the Air National Guard have 
sufficient time to consider public input in the preparation of the 
Draft EIS, comments should be submitted to the address below by March 
21, 1995. For further information concerning the preparation of the 
Hardwood EIS, or to provide written comment, contact:

Program Manager, Hardwood EIS, Air National Guard Readiness Center, 
ANGRC/CEVP, 3500 Fetchet Avenue, Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20331-5157.
Patsy J. Conner,
Air Force Federal Register Liasion Officer.
[FR Doc. 95-1606 Filed 1-20-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3910-01-P