[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 121 (Friday, June 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 36068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9917]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Draft Environmental Assessment for the Transformation of the 49th 
Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, NM

AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, Air Combat Command, Department of 
Defense

ACTION: Notice of Availability (NOA) to announce that a Draft 
Environmental Assessment at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico for 
transforming the 49th Fighter Wing through retirement of the F-117A, 
and T-38A, and beddown of the F-22A is available for review.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The United States Air Force is issuing this NOA to announce 
that a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) addressing the proposed 
transformation of the 49th Fighter Wing (49 FW) at Holloman Air Force 
Base (AFB), New Mexico is available for review. The Draft EA addresses 
the potential environmental consequences of a proposal to transform the 
combat capability of the 49th Fighter Wing and maximize the use of 
available infrastructure at Holloman AFB by replacing the retiring F-
117A aircraft and T-38A aircraft supporting the F-117A mission with two 
new F-22A squadrons. The transformation would enhance the low 
observable, precision weapons system capability of the 49th Fighter 
Wing. The Draft EA is issued in compliance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), the 
Council on Environmental Quality NEPA Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508); 
and the Air Force's Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) (Air 
Force Instruction 32-7061 as promulgated at 32 CFR 989). The Draft EA 
analyzes the following actions at Holloman AFB:
    1. Retire F-117A and T-38A aircraft currently based at Holloman 
AFB.
    2. Beddown and operate two F-22A aircraft squadrons.
    3. Renovate existing facilities and construct new facilities to 
support the F-22A squadrons.
    4. Adjust base manning to reflect F-22A beddown requirements.
    5. Conduct F-22A training routinely in airspace within 100 miles of 
Holloman AFB, to include supersonic operations.
    6. Create on Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA) and 
modify the Cowboy ATCAA.
    7. Expand chaff and flare use in military airspace.
    Alternative airspace training and the No Action Alternative are 
addressed in the Draft EA. The Draft EA is available for review at the 
following: Online at http://www.a7zpintegratedplanning.org; Alamogordo 
Public Library, Artesia Public Library, Branigan Memorial Library, 
Carlsbad Municipal Library, Cloudcroft Library, Dona Ana Community 
College Library, El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Library 
and Transmountain Campus Library, El Paso Public Library, Las Cruces 
Public Library, New Mexico State University Branson Library, New Mexico 
State University Alamogordo Library, Ruidoso Public Library, Truth or 
Consequences Public Library, Village of Carrizozo, Holloman AFB 
Library, National Technical Information Service, and Mescalero 
Community Library; or you may also request a copy of the Draft EA from 
Holloman AFB Public Affairs at 505-572-5406.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments before July 24, 2006 to Ms. Linda 
DeVine, HQ ACC/A7ZP, c/o SAIC, 22 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 200 
Hampton, VA 23666. Public comments on this Draft EA are requested 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321, et 
seq. All written comments received during the comment period will be 
made available to the public and considered during Final EA 
preparation. The provision of private address information with your 
comment is voluntary and will not be released for any other purpose 
unless required by law. However, this information is used to compile 
the project mailing list and failure to provide it will result in your 
name not being included on the mailing list.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Linda DeVine, HQ ACC/A7ZP, c/o 
SAIC, 22 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 200 Hampton, VA 23666.

Bao-Anh Tring,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
 [FR Doc. E6-9917 Filed 6-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P