[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55232-55233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14605]



[[Page 55232]]

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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 Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas

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

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 Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB), 
Texas (DAF Unique Identification Number 00099). The EIS will analyze 
the potential impacts from introduction of T-7A aircraft and flight 
operations at Sheppard AFB and associated airspace; temporary changes 
to the number of personnel and dependents in the Sheppard AFB region; 
and the 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 Draft EIS is anticipated 
in mid-2025. The Final EIS and a decision on which alternative to 
implement is expected in late 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 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on July 30th and 31st, 
2024. Both meetings will be held in Cannedy Hall at the Wichita Falls 
Museum of Art at Midwestern State University (MSU) located on Eureka 
Circle on the MSU Campus, Wichita Falls, TX. The address is 2 Eureka 
Circle, Wichita Falls, TX 76308. Information provided at the meetings 
will be available on the project website (https://sheppard.t-7anepadocuments.com/). Attendees of the public scoping meeting will 
have the opportunity to submit written comments.

ADDRESSES: Scoping comments can be submitted via the project website 
(https://sheppard.t-7anepadocuments.com/), or via email to 
[email protected] or via postal mail to Ms. Chinling Chen, AFCEC/
CIE; Attn: Sheppard 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. Scoping 
materials are also available in print at the Wichita Falls Public 
Library at 600 11th Street, Wichita Falls, Texas.

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 Sheppard 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 Sheppard AFB region; 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, Sheppard AFB would receive up to 108 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 and 
renovation projects would potentially occur at Sheppard AFB to provide 
modern facilities and infrastructure to support T-7A aircraft 
maintenance, training, and operational requirements.
    For Alternative 2, Sheppard AFB would receive up to 108 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 
Sheppard 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 3, Sheppard AFB would 
receive up to 131 T-7A aircraft. Total T-7A annual operations would be 
approximately 22 percent 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. The number of 
personnel and anticipated facility requirements would be the same for 
Alternatives 1, 2, and 3.
    For the No Action Alternative, DAF would not implement T-7A 
recapitalization at Sheppard AFB. If the No Action Alternative were 
implemented, the T-7A aircraft disposition would be determined 
separately. Sheppard 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. Routine 
maintenance of facilities to support the continued use of T-38C 
aircraft under the No Action Alternative would continue to occur. No 
additional facility renovations or improvements supporting T-38C 
operations have been identified under the No Action Alternative.
    DAF anticipates potential for increased air emissions, particularly 
nitrogen oxides, and changes in aircraft noise levels from the Proposed 
Action. Increased noise could have a disproportionate impact on 
environmental justice populations and impact off-installation land use 
compatibility. In addition, facilities and supporting structures 
improvement associated with the Proposed Action may impact floodplains. 
DAF will also consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 
the Texas Historical Commission, 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. At this time, the requirement for any permits or 
other authorizations has not been determined but will be addressed in 
the impact assessment as appropriate.
    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.

[[Page 55233]]

Comments are requested on alternatives and effects, as well as on 
relevant information, studies, or analyses with respect to the proposed 
action.
    It is DoD Policy that DoD Components will to the maximum extent 
practicable avoid development, siting, or leasing of facilities or 
infrastructure within flood hazard areas. Consistent with the 
requirements and objectives of Executive Order (E.O.) 11988, 
``Floodplain Management,'' as amended by E.O. 13690, ``Establishing a 
Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further 
Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input,'' state and federal 
regulatory agencies with special expertise in floodplains will be 
contacted to request comment. Consistent with E.O. 11988 and E.O. 
13690, this Notice of Intent initiates public review of the proposed 
action and alternatives, which have the potential to be located in a 
floodplain.

Tommy W. Lee,
Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-14605 Filed 7-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3911-44-P