[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47926-47927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12131]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
T-7A Recapitalization at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma

AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is issuing this Notice 
of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to 
assess the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts 
associated with T-7A Recapitalization at Vance Air Force Base (AFB), 
Oklahoma. The EIS will analyze the potential impacts from introduction 
of T-7A aircraft and flight operations at Vance AFB and associated 
airspace; changes to the number of personnel and dependents in the 
Vance AFB region; and construction and upgrade of operations, support, 
and maintenance facilities.

DATES: A public scoping period of 30 days will take place starting from 
the date of publication of this NOI in the Federal Register. Comments 
will be accepted at any time during the environmental impact analysis 
process; however, to ensure DAF has sufficient time to consider public 
scoping comments during preparation of the Draft EIS, please submit 
comments within the 30-day scoping period. The

[[Page 47927]]

Draft EIS is anticipated in early 2025. The Final EIS and a decision on 
which alternative to implement is expected later in 2025.
    DAF invites the public, stakeholders, and other interested parties 
to attend a public scoping meeting. Two in-person public scoping 
meetings will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on 25 and 26 June 2024. The 
location of both meetings will be at the Autry Technology Center (1201 
W Willow Road, Enid, OK 73703) and information provided at the meetings 
will be available on the project website (https://vance.t-7anepadocuments.com/). Attendees of the public scoping meeting will 
have the opportunity to submit written comments. The scheduled date and 
time for the public scoping meeting will also be published in local 
media (Enid News & Eagle) a minimum of 15 days prior to the meeting.

ADDRESSES: The project website (https://vance.t-7anepadocuments.com/) 
provides additional information on the EIS and can be used to submit 
scoping comments. Scoping comments may also be submitted via email to 
[email protected] or via postal mail to Ms. Chinling Chen, AFCEC/
CIE; Attn: Vance AFB T-7A Recapitalization EIS; Headquarters AETC 
Public Affairs; 100 H East Street, Suite 4; Randolph AFB, TX 78150. 
Please submit inquiries or requests for printed or digital copies of 
the scoping materials via the email or postal address above or contact 
the AETC Public Affairs office by phone at 210-652-4400. For printed 
material requests, the standard U.S. Postal Service shipping timeline 
will apply. Scoping materials are also available in print at the Enid 
Public Library at 120 W Maine Avenue, Enid, Oklahoma.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the proposed action is to 
continue the T-7A recapitalization program to prepare pilots to operate 
modern fourth and fifth generation aircraft. The need for the proposed 
action is to provide infrastructure and training systems to support the 
newer T-7A aircraft, allow for enhanced and improved flight and 
simulator training, and ensure DAF pilot training requirements are met.
    Recapitalization entails introduction of T-7A aircraft and flight 
operations at Vance AFB to replace all T-38C aircraft assigned to the 
installation; nighttime (between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.) flight operations; 
temporary changes to the number of personnel and dependents in the 
Vance AFB region during the 2-year transition period; and construction 
and upgrade of support and maintenance facilities. DAF is considering 
three alternatives to implement the Proposed Action and the No Action 
Alternative. For Alternative 1, Vance AFB would receive up to 68 T-7A 
aircraft and phase in T-7A operations at a level sustaining pilot 
training while simultaneously phasing out the T-38C. A temporary 
increase of approximately 100 personnel is projected. Several 
construction projects including (MILCON) projects, unspecified minor 
military construction (UMMC) projects, and facilities sustainment, 
restoration, and modernization would potentially occur at Vance AFB to 
provide modern facilities and infrastructure to support T-7A aircraft 
maintenance, training, and operational requirements.
    For Alternative 2, Vance AFB would receive up to 68 T-7A aircraft 
and perform T-7A operations at a level that is approximately 25 percent 
greater than Alternative 1. Alternative 2 is intended to cover a 
scenario in which, for either broad strategic or tactical operational 
reasons, DAF requires a surge or increase in pilot training operations 
above current plan. The number of T-7A aircraft arriving at Vance AFB 
and timeline of increased aircraft operations, new and renovated 
facilities, and personnel changes would be the same as described for 
Alternative 1. For Alternative 2, beginning in 2032, T-7A aircraft 
would perform annual operations at Vance AFB and associated SUA at an 
operational tempo that is 25 percent greater than Alternative 1. T-7A 
nighttime operations would occur with up to 873 annual nighttime 
operations at Vance AFB.
    For Alternative 3, Vance AFB would receive up to 99 T-7A aircraft 
and perform annual operations approximately 45% greater than 
Alternative 1 once the aircraft transition is complete. Alternative 3 
is intended to provide DAF with operational flexibility, and inclusion 
of this alternative in this EIS provides analysis to evaluate future 
capacity needs.
    For the No Action Alternative, DAF would not implement T-7A 
recapitalization at Vance AFB. If the No Action Alternative were 
implemented, the T-7A aircraft disposition would be determined 
separately. Vance AFB's existing fleet of T-38C aircraft would continue 
to be used in their current capacity even though they will reach the 
end of their service lives within the next decade.
    DAF anticipates potential for increased air emissions, particularly 
nitrogen oxides, and increased noise from the Proposed Action. 
Increased noise could have a disproportionate impact on environmental 
justice populations and impact off-installation land use compatibility. 
The EIS will model air emissions, noise levels, and the number of 
disturbance events, that would result from implementation of the 
proposed action and alternatives and compare them to current 
conditions. DAF will also consult with appropriate resource agencies 
and Native American tribes to determine the potential for significant 
impacts. Consultation will be incorporated into the preparation of the 
EIS and will include, but not be limited to, consultation under Section 
7 of the Endangered Species Act and consultation under Section 106 of 
the National Historic Preservation Act.
    Scoping and Agency Coordination: To identify important 
environmental issues deserving of study and to deemphasize unimportant 
issues, narrowing the scope of the environmental impact statement 
process, DAF is soliciting comments from interested Federal, State, 
Tribal, and local, officials and agencies, as well as likely affected 
or interested members of the public. Comments are requested on 
alternatives and effects, as well as on relevant information, studies, 
or analyses with respect to the proposed action.

Tommy W. Lee,
Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-12131 Filed 6-3-24; 8:45 am]
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