[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 5753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3307]



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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Proposed Wing Conversion and Airspace Modification Georgia Air 
National Guard Notice of Availability of Record of Decision

    On January 3, 1996, the United States Air Force signed the Record 
of Decision (ROD) for the proposed Wing Conversion and Airspace 
Modification, Georgia Air National Guard. The decisions rendered by the 
U.S. Air Force were as follows: (1) Conversion of F-15A/B aircraft of 
the 116th Fighter Wing (FW) at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Marietta, 
Georgia to the B-1B aircraft and the relocation of the newly designated 
116th Bomb Wing (BW) to Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Georgia, 
will be implemented and; (2) The Coastal Military Operations Area will 
be proposed for establishment, Restricted Area R-3007 will be proposed 
for modification, and both will be presented to the Federal Aviation 
Administration as airspace actions for aeronautical analysis. The ROD 
was based on findings contained in a Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS) made available on 17 November 1995 through 
notification in the Federal Register.
    Many factors were considered in the decision of converting the 116 
FW to the 116 BW, relocating to Robins AFB and creation of the Coastal 
MOA. Potentially, the most significant were: noise impacts; 
socioeconomic concerns involving land use, residential encroachment, 
and economic impact on businesses; aircraft ground and flight safety, 
electromagnetic radiation, and hazardous materials management; impacts 
on general aviation and wildlife refuges. Based upon comment from 
public participation in the Environmental Impact Statement process, 
mitigation measures will be taken by the Air National Guard to ensure 
impacts are minimized.
    The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force and the Director of 
the Air National Guard recognize the many unique and sensitive 
resources prominent with the southeastern United States. These 
resources have been effectively identified by the public, special 
interest organizations, and Federal, state, and local officials 
throughout the study process. The Air Force and the Air National Guard 
acknowledge that flying operations over these areas must be strictly 
managed and accomplished with great sensitivity.
    Any questions regarding this matter should be directed to: Lt Col 
Steve Shiell, Air National Guard Readiness Center, ANG/CEVP, 3500 
Fetchet Avenue, Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20331-5157, (301) 981-8804.
Patsy J. Conner,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-3307 Filed 2-13-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3910-01-P