[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 10, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14351-14352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07117]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment for 
the Juniper Butte Land Withdrawal Extension, Mountain Home Air Force 
Base, Idaho

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Air Force (Air Force) is issuing this notice of 
availability to advise the public of the availability of a Draft 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Juniper Butte Land Withdrawal 
Extension, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

[[Page 14352]]


DATES: A public meeting will be held in Mountain Home, Idaho, from 5 
p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 25, 2019 at the American Legion (VFW Post 26), 
515 E 2nd South Street, Mountain Home, Idaho 83647.

ADDRESSES: For questions regarding the Proposed Action or EA 
development, contact Public Affairs at 
[email protected] or 208-828-6800. Although comments 
can be submitted to the Air Force any time during the EA process, 
comments are requested within 60 days from the date of this publication 
to ensure full consideration in the process. Comments can be submitted 
by email to [email protected], mail to, 366 FW/PA, 366 
Gunfighter Avenue, Suite 310, Mountain Home AFB 83648, or in person by 
attending the public meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Divine at 208-828-6800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EA has been prepared to consider 
the potential environmental consequences of extending the public lands 
withdrawal established in October 1998 under the Juniper Butte Range 
Withdrawal Act of 1999, Public Law (Pub. L.) 105-261 at Mountain Home 
Range Complex associated with Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), 
Idaho. Under Public Law 105-261, approximately 11,816 acres of public 
land, located in Owyhee and Twin Falls counties, Idaho, from the 
Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management was withdrawn to the 
Air Force for military use. Public Law 105-261 will expire in 2023; 
therefore, the Air Force is proposing to extend the withdrawal of this 
public land for continued military training for an additional 25 years. 
In addition, except as provided in subsection 2908(f) of Public Law 
105-261, withdrawn and acquired mineral resources within the boundaries 
of the Juniper Butte Range will continue as originally withdrawn from 
the United States mining laws.
    The extension would allow the Air Force to sustain its mission for 
enhanced readiness training as well as maintain critical existing 
assets that support the mission. A No Action Alternative is included in 
the Draft EA for evaluation. Under the No Action Alternative, the 
withdrawal of public lands would not be extended, and public lands 
would be relinquished to the Bureau of Land Management. The Air Force 
would retain the restricted airspace R-3204A, B, and C; however, 
training activities would exclude ordnance drops on the existing 
withdrawal. The analysis of the No Action Alternative provides a 
benchmark to enable Air Force decision-makers to compare the magnitude 
of the potential environmental effects of the Proposed Action.
    The Air Force is soliciting comments from interested local, state, 
and federal elected officials and agencies, as well as interested 
members of the public. The Air Force is also pursuing government-to-
government consultations with interested Native American tribes in 
accordance with requirements as articulated in the National Historic 
Preservation Act (NHPA).
    The Draft EA is available on the internet at https://www.mountainhome.af.mil/Home/Environmental-News/. Copies of the Draft 
EA are available for review at the following locations:
     Mountain Home Public Library, 790 N 10th E Street, 
Mountain Home, Idaho 83647
     Mountain Home AFB Library, 480 5th Avenue, Building 2610, 
Mountain Home AFB, Idaho 83648
     Twin Falls Public Library, 201 4th Avenue E, Twin Falls, 
Idaho 83301

Carlinda N. Lotson,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2019-07117 Filed 4-9-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-10-P