[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 8, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76444-76446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30759]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Department of the Air Force and U.S. Army; Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Modernization and 
Enhancement of Ranges, Airspace, and Training Areas in the Joint 
Pacific Alaska Range Complex in Alaska

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, on behalf of Alaskan Command 
(ALCOM), are issuing this notice to advise the public of their intent 
to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) evaluating potential 
environmental impacts associated with modernizing and enhancing current 
military ground and air training assets in Alaska.
    This notice is published pursuant to the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 United States Code [U.S.C] 
4321, et seq.); the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for 
Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) 1500-1508); Executive Orders 11514 and 11991; the 
Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
4371 et seq.); the Air Force Environmental Impact Analysis Process (32 
CFR 989); and the ``Environmental Analysis of Army Actions'' (32 CFR 
651). This Notice of Intent describes the Air Force's and Army's 
scoping process and identifies ALCOM's point of contact.
    In accordance with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 
1322.18, Military Training, and Commander U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM), 
Joint Training Program of Excellence, ALCOM as DoD's regional joint 
headquarters in Alaska, has coordinated with the Services to develop a 
joint strategy to identify joint training opportunities in Alaska, 
maximize the utilization of training resources, and improve joint 
training. The JPARC Modernization and Enhancement EIS will evaluate the 
elements of this strategy which are reasonably foreseeable.
    At present, the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC) consists 
of all land, air, and sea training areas used by the Army, Navy, and 
Air Force in Alaska. The military uses the JPARC to conduct testing, 
unit-level training, and to support various joint exercises and mission 
rehearsals. The JPARC was originally developed to support cold war 
weapons, tactics, and techniques. Its current configuration cannot 
fully meet the training requirement for forces and exercises located in 
Alaska. The proposed JPARC enhancements would enable realistic, joint 
training and testing to support emerging technologies, respond to 
recent battlefield experiences, and train with tactics and new weapons 
systems to meet combat and national security needs. JPARC enhancements 
would enable the Services to train realistically and jointly so 
military personnel could succeed in their mutually supportive combat 
roles when exposed to situations faced in actual combat.
    The proposal would modernize existing military training and testing 
capabilities located in the interior of Alaska through expanding and/or 
establishing new Military Operations Areas, restricted airspace, 
airspace corridors, ground maneuver training areas, and training 
complexes to provide adequate airspace and controlled-access land to 
test and train under realistic and varied conditions. The EIS will 
analyze the environmental effects of the proposed changes and their 
alternatives.
    All of the actions proposed in this EIS are independent of each 
other and have stand-alone value for improving training operations. 
While full implementation of all the proposed actions is desired and 
would result in the greatest training benefit for aircrew and ground 
troop training, each of the proposals, if implemented alone, would have 
a positive effect on the use and/or management of JPARC. Depending on 
decisions made and the availability of funding, it is possible that 
some of the actions being proposed could be implemented soon after a 
Record of Decision (ROD) is issued, some actions could be implemented 
quite some time after the ROD is issued, some actions may be deferred 
until such time as they are ripe for decision, and some proposed 
actions may not be implemented. The following projects are those 
currently proposed to be addressed in the JPARC Modernization and 
Enhancement EIS.
    Fox 3 Military Operations Area (MOA) Expansion and New Paxon MOA: 
The Air Force and Army propose to expand the Fox 3 MOA and establish a 
new, adjacent Paxon MOA to provide the vertical and horizontal airspace 
structure needed to better accommodate low-altitude threat and 
multiple-axis mission activities during JPARC training exercises. The 
Air Force and Army intend to consider the following alternatives, as 
well as a No Action Alternative: Alternative A includes the proposed 
expanded Fox 3 MOA and the proposed new Paxon MOA with both

[[Page 76445]]

the high- and low-altitude MOAs; Alternative B includes only the Fox 3 
MOA expansion (as in Alternative A) without the new Paxon MOA; 
Alternative C includes the Fox 3 MOA expansion without the low-altitude 
MOA; Alternative D proposes keeping the Fox 3 MOA boundaries the same 
as they currently exist, but separating the MOA into four subdivided 
sectors, as well as high- and low-altitude MOAs. The low-altitude MOA 
would extend from 500 feet above ground level (AGL) up to, but not 
including, 5,000 feet AGL. The high-altitude MOA elevation
    Realistic Live Ordnance Delivery: As the range and lethality of 
modern weapons increase, so do the amounts of training area and 
airspace required to safely and effectively train with these weapons. 
The current ranges and restricted airspace of the JPARC are not capable 
of supporting realistic training with modern and emerging weapons. The 
Army and Air Force propose to establish a realistic air and ground 
training environment that would accommodate live ordnance delivery of 
modern and emerging weapons by considering the following alternatives, 
as well as a No Action Alternative: Alternative A proposes the use of 
existing targets in the Oklahoma Impact Area within Restricted Area 
2202 (R-2202) with the expansion of this restricted airspace to the 
west to encompass the airspace and underlying lands; Alternative B 
proposes that live ordnance delivery make use of existing targets at 
the Oklahoma and Blair Lakes Impact Areas with new restricted airspace 
established that links R-2211 and R-2202. Based on the ceiling altitude 
of R-2211 as flight level (FL) 310 and the upper altitude of R-2202 
being FL310, the proposed altitude for the restricted airspace linking 
these two restricted areas would also be FL310. Higher altitudes may be 
required for some live-fire ordnance profiles; Alternative C proposes 
weapons corridors through the Eielson Military Operations Area and 
overlying air traffic control assigned airspace that would provide two 
protective pathways for live ordnance use within the Oklahoma Impact 
Area. These corridors would be approximately 10 miles in width and 
extend from FL200 to FL310, as needed, to accommodate the delivery 
altitudes of the ordnance types being delivered.
    Joint Combined Arms Live Fire (JCALF): Current tactics and 
techniques established in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of 
operation require the Army to regularly integrate attack aviation into 
collective and unit-level training. There are currently no facilities 
available in the JPARC which are capable of supporting this type of 
training. The Army proposes to establish restricted airspace to support 
JCALF training over the Battle Area Complex (BAX) located in the 
Donnelly Training Area (DTA), near Delta Junction, and the Digital 
Multipurpose Training Range located in the Yukon Training Area (YTA). 
The Army and Air Force intend to consider the following alternative, as 
well as a No Action Alternative, or other reasonable alternative 
developed during scoping: Alternative A proposes to establish new 
restricted airspace over the BAX in the DTA to support controlled 
firing areas and new restricted airspace located within YTA. This 
restricted airspace would provide protective areas for the hazardous 
activities and weapons surface danger zones of sufficient size for the 
types of ordnance used.
    Night Joint Training: Combat situations during the hours of limited 
visibility require using advanced night vision technology. Training 
with this equipment can only be conducted at night. The Army and Air 
Force intend to consider the following alternatives, as well as a No 
Action Alternative: Alternative A proposes to extend the special use 
airspace hours to accommodate night training for major flying exercises 
(MFE) during March and October. The hours are currently set to cease 
training activities by 10 p.m., with landing by 11 p.m., local time; 
Alternative B proposes to extend the JPARC operating hours to allow 
tactical flight operations until midnight and landing by 1 a.m., local 
time, during March and October. This would allow night training during 
these months from a minimum of 1.5 hours to a maximum of 2.5 hours for 
each exercise; Alternative C proposes to extend the JPARC operating 
hours to allow tactical flight operations until midnight and landing by 
1 a.m., local time, during all months of the year and for all training 
purposes, not just for MFEs, as is the current situation.
    Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)/Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) 
Access: RPA/UAVs conduct reconnaissance and surveillance activities; 
RPA/UAV access throughout the JPARC ranges and airspace is critical to 
enhance JPARC training and exercises. The following RPA/UAV corridors 
have been developed as individual, standalone proposed actions and 
alternatives: Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) to Restricted Area 2211 (R-
2211); Eielson AFB Class D airspace to R-2205; Allen Field to R-2202; 
R-2202 to R-2211; R-2205 to R-2202; Fort Wainwright to R-2211; and Fort 
Wainwright to R-2205. The Air Force and Army intend to consider the 
following alternatives, as well as a No Action Alternative: Alternative 
A would establish new restricted airspace for each RPA/UAV corridor 
identified above; Alternative B would establish restricted airspace via 
a Certificate of Authorization, or other suitable airspace designated 
by the Federal Aviation Administration for each RPA/UAV corridor 
identified above.
    Enhanced Access to Existing Maneuver Space: Services currently lack 
year-round accessibility in the Tanana Flats, Donnelly, and Yukon 
Training Areas. The Army and Air Force intend to consider the following 
alternatives, as well as a No Action Alternative: Alternative A follows 
the proposed railroad alignment 11 miles and crosses the Tanana Flats 
along an existing winter-access trail to higher ground around Blair 
Lakes; Alternative B follows the proposed railroad alignment 8 miles 
before crossing the Tanana Flats toward Hill 1406. The route traverses 
the eastern slopes of Hill 1406, then a broad terrace southeast toward 
Blair Lakes, crossing Dry Creek near Blair Lakes; Alternative C follows 
existing trail systems southwest across the Tanana Flats toward Hill 
1406, avoiding open areas as much as possible. From Hill 1406, two 
possible routes to Blair Lakes are being considered: The first 
traverses the eastern slopes of Hill 1406 and then a broad terrace 
southeast toward Blair Lakes, crossing Dry Creek near Blair Lakes; the 
second route remains on the flats north of Hill 1406, crossing Dry 
Creek where the creek enters the flats, then running up the Dry Creek 
Valley to the higher ground around Blair Lakes; Alternative D is 
similar to Alternative C, except it takes a more direct route from the 
Tanana River toward Hill 1406. From Hill 1406, two routes to Blair 
Lakes are being considered: The first traverses the eastern slopes of 
Hill 1406, then a broad terrace southeast toward Blair Lakes, crossing 
Dry Creek near Blair Lakes; the second route remains on the flats north 
of Hill 1406, crossing Dry Creek, and then running up the Dry Creek 
Valley to higher ground around Blair Lakes.
    Joint Air-Ground Integration Complex (JAGIC): The Army requires a 
facility to train and test air and ground combat units on skills 
necessary to detect, identify, and effectively engage targets while 
directing Attack Aviation as in actual combat. A modern facility 
designed to support this type of training does not exist in the JPARC. 
The Army proposes to develop the JAGIC to provide this capability. The 
Army and Air Force intend to consider the following alternatives, as 
well as a No Action Alternative: Alternative A

[[Page 76446]]

proposes to locate the JAGIC in the central area of Donnelly Training 
Area-West, proximate to the western boundary of the Oklahoma Impact 
Area; Alternative B proposes to locate the JAGIC in the Stuart Creek 
Impact Area within the Yukon Training Area; Alternative C proposes to 
locate the JAGIC in the Blair Lakes Impact Area near the southern 
boundary of the Tanana Flats Training Area under the existing 
Restricted Area 2211 (R-2211).
    Intermediate Staging Bases (ISBs): Currently, Soldiers and airmen 
spend up to 6 hours traveling to and from training sites within the 
JPARC. This travel reduces available training time and increases risks 
of traffic accidents. The Army proposes to locate and construct a 
1,000- Soldier ISB near the existing Battle Area Complex (BAX), along 
with three 200- to 500-Soldier ISBs at Yukon Training Area (YTA), 
Donnelly Training Area-West (DTA-West), and Salcha to reduce travel 
time, increase safety, and increase available training time. The Army 
and Air Force intend to consider the following alternatives, as well as 
a No Action Alternative: Alternative A proposes to provide a permanent 
1,000-Soldier ISB near existing BAX, along with three permanent 200- to 
500-Soldier ISBs at YTA, DTA-West, and Salcha. The facility is intended 
for joint use. ISBs are proposed at key points along the planned rail 
corridor close to the planned bridge crossings; Alternative B proposes 
to use existing temporary ``relocatable'' ISB facilities over the next 
7 years, and then replace them with permanent facilities.
    Missile Live Fire for AIM-9X and AIM-120: The AIM-9X and AIM-120 
missile systems are the main air-to-air armaments for the F-22 Raptor 
and F-15 Eagle. For effective training to be conducted with these 
systems, live training shots need to be executed as part of both 
individual pilot training and joint training exercises with other air 
and ground units. The Air Force and Army intend to consider the 
following alternative, as well as a No Action Alternative, or other 
reasonable alternative developed during scoping: Alternative A proposes 
to consider the existing Temporary Maritime Activities Area (300 
nautical miles [NM] long by 150 NM wide; 0 feet above ground level 
[AGL]--flight level (FL) 600; includes subsurface operating areas), and 
Warning Area 612 (WA-612) (0 feet AGL-FL290) in the Gulf of Alaska for 
the missile live fire delivery of the AIM-9X and AIM-120 missiles by 
Air Force F-22 fighter aircraft.
    Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) Drop Zones: JPADS is a GPS 
[global positioning system]-guided precision airdrop system designed to 
deliver supplies and equipment to ground forces. JPADS is not currently 
used within the JPARC. Alaska-based airmen with the requirement to 
train on JPADS must currently travel to Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona 
to conduct this training. The Army and Air Force propose to establish 
JPADS drop zones as part of JPARC training exercises. The Army and Air 
Force intend to consider the following alternatives, as well as a No 
Action Alternative: Alternative A proposes conducting JPADS operations 
at a reduced altitude sufficient to ensure the airdrop land within 
Restricted Area 2205 (R-2205) in the Yukon Training Area; Alternative B 
proposes conducting JPADS operations at a reduced altitude sufficient 
to ensure the airdrop land within in the Donnelly Training Area 
Oklahoma Impact Area. (The key distinction between Alternatives A and B 
is that R-2205 currently has more time and space available to 
accommodate JPADS drop zone training exercises.) The EIS will address 
environmental consequences to airspace, noise, safety, biological 
resources, socioeconomics, transportation, cultural resources, water 
resources, wetlands, air quality, land use, hazardous materials, 
recreation and visual resources, environmental justice and risks to 
children, subsistence, and cumulative impacts. Public and agency 
scoping may identify other environmental resources for consideration in 
the EIS.
    The Army and Air Force will invite the Bureau of Land Management, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service to be cooperating agencies in preparation of this 
EIS.
    ALCOM will coordinate government-to-government consultation with 
Federally recognized Tribes, following DoD policy.
    Scoping Meetings: The Army and Air Force, with the support of 
ALCOM, will conduct public scoping meetings in communities likely to be 
affected by the proposed action to solicit public and agency input. The 
purpose of scoping is to obtain public, Alaska Native, and government 
input on the proposed action and alternatives, as well as to gain a 
better understanding of the potential issues and concerns related to 
this proposal. The schedule and locations of the scoping meetings are 
provided below:

Thursday, January 13, 2011: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Millennium Hotel, 4800 
Spenard Road, Anchorage, Alaska.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Caribou Hotel, Mile 186.5 
Grand Highway, Glenallen, Alaska.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Alaska Steakhouse and 
Hotel, 1420 Alaska Highway, Delta Junction, Alaska.
Thursday, January 20, 2011: 12-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m., Princess Hotel, 
4477 Pikes Landing Road, Fairbanks, Alaska.
Monday, January 24, 2011: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Motel Nord Haven, 249 George 
Parks Highway, Healy, Alaska.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Swiss Alaska Inn, 22056 
South F Street, Talkeetna, Alaska.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Menard Memorial Sports 
Center, 1001 S. Mack Drive, Wasilla, Alaska.

    Federal, State, and local agencies and interested groups, Alaska 
Native organizations, and individual persons are invited to attend the 
scoping open house meetings. All are encouraged to provide comments on 
the proposed actions either at the scoping meetings, by mail, or 
electronically, postmarked or electronically submitted no later than 
February 4, 2011, to ensure consideration in the draft EIS. All 
comments received during this scoping period will be considered in the 
preparation of the draft EIS.
    Point of Contact: Please direct any written comments or requests 
for information to ALCOM Public Affairs, 9480 Pease Avenue, Suite 120, 
JBER, AK 99506, Phone: 907-552-2341, Fax: 907-552-5411 or submit them 
electronically at http://www.jparceis.com. You may also request 
handicap assistance or translation services for the public scoping 
meetings in advance through the ALCOM Public Affairs Office.

Bao-Anh Trinh,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-30759 Filed 12-7-10; 8:45 am]
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