82 FR 40572 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Special Use Airspace Optimization Project, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Air Force Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 164 (August 25, 2017)
Department of the Air Force
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 164 (August 25, 2017)
| Page Range | 40572-40573 | |
| FR Document | 2017-18069 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 164 (Friday, August 25, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 40572-40573] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-18069] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Air Force Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Special Use Airspace Optimization Project, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, DOD. ACTION: Notice of intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The U.S. Air Force is issuing this notice of intent (NOI) (40 CFR 1508.22) to advise the public of its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential environmental consequences associated with modifying existing or creating new special use airspace (SUA), and relinquishing to the National Airspace System (NAS) SUA incompatible for today's Air Force mission. SUA used by Holloman Air Force Base (AFB) dates back more than 30 years ago and was designed to support different aircraft with significantly different mission profiles and performance characteristics than the current aircraft (F-16C/D) flown at Holloman AFB. Optimizing Air Force controlled SUA would provide the scheduling flexibility necessary to conduct multiple, simultaneous training missions needed by the aircrews stationed at Holloman AFB, New Mexico to meet the pilot initial qualification training requirements. Two action alternatives identified as meeting the purpose and need for this proposed action will be analyzed in the EIS. Alternative 1 would reconfigure and expand the existing Talon Military Operations Area (MOA) and associated Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA). Alternative 2 would modify the existing Cato/Smitty MOA/ATCAA and create a new Lobos MOA to the west of White Sands Missile Range. Each alternative includes aircraft activity down to 500 feet above ground level (AGL), supersonic activity at or above 30,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), and the use of defensive chaff and flares within certain parameters. The resulting SUA would provide adequate volumes of SUA to allow for more efficient and simultaneous training activities that currently occur disjointedly throughout several airspace areas in New Mexico and return sub-optimal airspace to the NAS for use by the public. A No Action Alternative will be included in the EIS, whereby aircrews at Holloman AFB would continue to utilize existing SUA as it is currently configured. Aircrews would continue to be limited to SUA that was developed for legacy aircraft more than 30 years ago and does not have the optimum volume, proximity to the installation, availability, or other attributes to efficiently support the Holloman AFB flying mission. The analysis of the No Action Alternative will provide a benchmark to enable Air Force decision-makers to compare the magnitude of the environmental effects of the proposed action. Scoping and Agency Coordination: To effectively define the full range of issues and alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS, the Air Force will determine the scope of the analysis by soliciting comments from interested local, state and federal elected officials and agencies, as well as interested members of the public and others. The public and interested parties can submit their comments through the project Web site www.HollomanAFBAirspaceEIS.com, by mailing comments to Holloman Airspace EIS, c/o Cardno, 501 Butler Farm Rd., Suite H, Hampton, VA 23666, or by attending one of the public meetings. The Air Force will also pursue government-to-government consultations with interested Native American tribes and pueblos. Public Meeting Dates and Locations: Public scoping meetings will be held in Carlsbad, Truth or Consequences and Las Cruces, New Mexico at the following dates, times, and locations: Tuesday, September 12, 2017, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Carlsbad Public Library, 101 S. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Wednesday, September 13, 2017, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Truth or Consequences Civic Center, Ralph Edwards Auditorium, 400 W. 4th Avenue, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901. Thursday, September 14, 2017, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 2550 S. Don Roser Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88001. Although comments can be submitted to the Air Force any time during the EIS process, scoping comments are requested by September 25, 2017 to ensure full consideration in the draft EIS. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Air Force has preliminarily identified two broad alternatives to optimize existing training airspace at Holloman AFB. While the alternatives are independent of each other, the decision-maker may choose to implement one, both, or none of the alternatives based on the analysis provided in the EIS. Alternative 1 would evaluate an expansion to the east of Holloman AFB of the Talon MOA and associated ATCAA. The Talon MOA is located in the vicinity of Carlsbad, New Mexico and covers approximately 1,848 square nautical miles. Under this alternative, the dimensions of the existing MOA/ATCAA would be expanded approximately 1,375 square nautical miles generally to the east. The floor of the MOA would be raised to 500 feet AGL from the current 300 feet AGL. Training within the expanded MOA/ATCAA would include supersonic flight at or above 30,000 feet and use of chaff and flares above 2,000 feet AGL. Alternative 2 would evaluate the area west of Holloman AFB and White Sands Missile Range for reconfiguring and expanding the Cato/ Smitty MOA and associated ATCAA and/or creating a new Lobos MOA/ATCAA. The Cato/Smitty MOA is located in the vicinity of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico and covers approximately 2,680 square nautical miles. Under this alternative, the dimensions of the Cato/Smitty MOA would be reconfigured and expanded to the southeast. Reconfiguring this MOA would result in returning the northern portion of the existing Cato/Smitty MOA back to the NAS. The new Lobos MOA/ATCAA would be created south of the reconfigured Cato/Smitty MOA and west of White Sands Missile Range. The proposed floor of the reconfigured [[Page 40573]] Cato/Smitty MOA and the new Lobos MOA would be 500 feet AGL (2,000 feet AGL over designated wilderness areas as currently observed). Training within the reconfigured and expanded Cato/Smitty and new Lobos MOAs would include supersonic flight above 30,000 feet and use of chaff and flares above 2,000 feet AGL. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding the proposed action, scoping, and EIS development, contact Holloman AFB Public Affairs Office, at (575) 572-7383 or at: [email protected]. Henry Williams, Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2017-18069 Filed 8-24-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001-10-P
![40572 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 164 / Friday, August 25, 2017 / Notices
ACTION: Notice of intent to issue an conduct multiple, simultaneous training Las Cruces, New Mexico at the
exclusive patent license. missions needed by the aircrews following dates, times, and locations:
stationed at Holloman AFB, New Tuesday, September 12, 2017, 6:00 p.m.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the provisions of Mexico to meet the pilot initial to 8:00 p.m., Carlsbad Public Library,
agency regulations, the Department of qualification training requirements. Two 101 S. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad,
the Air Force announces its intention to action alternatives identified as meeting NM 88220.
grant Sensible Spreader Technologies, the purpose and need for this proposed Wednesday, September 13, 2017, 6:00
LLC, a corporation of New Hampshire action will be analyzed in the EIS. p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Truth or
having a place of business at 844 Elm Alternative 1 would reconfigure and Consequences Civic Center, Ralph
Street, Manchester, New Hampshire expand the existing Talon Military Edwards Auditorium, 400 W. 4th
03101, an exclusive license in any right, Operations Area (MOA) and associated Avenue, Truth or Consequences, NM
title and interest the United States Air Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace 87901.
Force has in: In U.S. Patent 8,428,993 (ATCAA). Alternative 2 would modify Thursday, September 14, 2017, 6:00
entitled ‘‘Method and Apparatus for the existing Cato/Smitty MOA/ATCAA p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn,
Risk Identification and Mitigation in and create a new Lobos MOA to the 2550 S. Don Roser Dr., Las Cruces,
Shift Work Fatigue’’, issued on April 23, west of White Sands Missile Range. NM 88001.
2013. Each alternative includes aircraft Although comments can be submitted
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: An activity down to 500 feet above ground to the Air Force any time during the EIS
exclusive license for this patent will be level (AGL), supersonic activity at or process, scoping comments are
granted unless a written objection is above 30,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), requested by September 25, 2017 to
received within fifteen (15) days from and the use of defensive chaff and flares ensure full consideration in the draft
the date of publication of this Notice. within certain parameters. The resulting EIS.
Written objections should be sent to: Air SUA would provide adequate volumes
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Air
Force Research Laboratory, Office of the of SUA to allow for more efficient and
Staff Judge Advocate, AFRL/RIJ, 26 simultaneous training activities that Force has preliminarily identified two
Electronic Parkway, Rome, New York currently occur disjointedly throughout broad alternatives to optimize existing
13441–4514. Telephone: (315) 330– several airspace areas in New Mexico training airspace at Holloman AFB.
2087; Facsimile (315) 330–7583. and return sub-optimal airspace to the While the alternatives are independent
NAS for use by the public. of each other, the decision-maker may
Henry Williams, A No Action Alternative will be choose to implement one, both, or none
Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison included in the EIS, whereby aircrews at of the alternatives based on the analysis
Officer. Holloman AFB would continue to provided in the EIS.
[FR Doc. 2017–18053 Filed 8–24–17; 8:45 am] utilize existing SUA as it is currently Alternative 1 would evaluate an
BILLING CODE 5001–10–P configured. Aircrews would continue to expansion to the east of Holloman AFB
be limited to SUA that was developed of the Talon MOA and associated
for legacy aircraft more than 30 years ATCAA. The Talon MOA is located in
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ago and does not have the optimum the vicinity of Carlsbad, New Mexico
volume, proximity to the installation, and covers approximately 1,848 square
Department of the Air Force availability, or other attributes to nautical miles. Under this alternative,
efficiently support the Holloman AFB the dimensions of the existing MOA/
Notice of Intent To Prepare an ATCAA would be expanded
Environmental Impact Statement for flying mission. The analysis of the No
Action Alternative will provide a approximately 1,375 square nautical
the Special Use Airspace Optimization miles generally to the east. The floor of
Project, Holloman Air Force Base, New benchmark to enable Air Force decision-
makers to compare the magnitude of the the MOA would be raised to 500 feet
Mexico AGL from the current 300 feet AGL.
environmental effects of the proposed
AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, action. Training within the expanded MOA/
DOD. Scoping and Agency Coordination: To ATCAA would include supersonic flight
ACTION: Notice of intent. effectively define the full range of issues at or above 30,000 feet and use of chaff
and alternatives to be evaluated in the and flares above 2,000 feet AGL.
The U.S. Air Force is issuing this EIS, the Air Force will determine the Alternative 2 would evaluate the area
notice of intent (NOI) (40 CFR 1508.22) scope of the analysis by soliciting west of Holloman AFB and White Sands
to advise the public of its intent to comments from interested local, state Missile Range for reconfiguring and
prepare an Environmental Impact and federal elected officials and expanding the Cato/Smitty MOA and
Statement (EIS) to assess the potential agencies, as well as interested members associated ATCAA and/or creating a
environmental consequences associated of the public and others. The public and new Lobos MOA/ATCAA. The Cato/
with modifying existing or creating new interested parties can submit their Smitty MOA is located in the vicinity of
special use airspace (SUA), and comments through the project Web site Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
relinquishing to the National Airspace www.HollomanAFBAirspaceEIS.com, by and covers approximately 2,680 square
System (NAS) SUA incompatible for mailing comments to Holloman nautical miles. Under this alternative,
today’s Air Force mission. SUA used by Airspace EIS, c/o Cardno, 501 Butler the dimensions of the Cato/Smitty MOA
Holloman Air Force Base (AFB) dates Farm Rd., Suite H, Hampton, VA 23666, would be reconfigured and expanded to
back more than 30 years ago and was the southeast. Reconfiguring this MOA
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
or by attending one of the public
designed to support different aircraft meetings. The Air Force will also would result in returning the northern
with significantly different mission pursue government-to-government portion of the existing Cato/Smitty
profiles and performance characteristics consultations with interested Native MOA back to the NAS. The new Lobos
than the current aircraft (F–16C/D) American tribes and pueblos. MOA/ATCAA would be created south
flown at Holloman AFB. Optimizing Air Public Meeting Dates and Locations: of the reconfigured Cato/Smitty MOA
Force controlled SUA would provide Public scoping meetings will be held in and west of White Sands Missile Range.
the scheduling flexibility necessary to Carlsbad, Truth or Consequences and The proposed floor of the reconfigured
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 164 / Friday, August 25, 2017 / Notices 40573
Cato/Smitty MOA and the new Lobos Technology Reviews of the Air Force Missouri, a public corporation of
MOA would be 500 feet AGL (2,000 feet Research Laboratory, and apportion Missouri having a place of business at
AGL over designated wilderness areas time for Air Force senior leaders to brief the Office of Technology Management
as currently observed). Training within the SAB on their most vital S&T issues. and Industry Relations, 1601 S.
the reconfigured and expanded Cato/ The meeting will occur from 8:00 a.m.– Providence Road, #124, Columbia,
Smitty and new Lobos MOAs would 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 20 September Missouri 65211, an exclusive license in
include supersonic flight above 30,000 2017. The session that will be open to any right, title and interest the United
feet and use of chaff and flares above the general public will be held from States Air Force has in: In U.S. Patent
2,000 feet AGL. 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on 20 September Application No. 14/982,030 entitled
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 2017. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552b, ‘‘Method for Fast Camera Pose
questions regarding the proposed action, as amended, and 41 CFR 102–3.155, a Refinement for Wide Area Motion
scoping, and EIS development, contact number of sessions of the Air Force Imagery’’, filed December 19, 2015.
Holloman AFB Public Affairs Office, at Scientific Advisory Board Fall Board FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: An
(575) 572–7383 or at: 49WG.PAOffice@ meeting will be closed to the general exclusive license for this patent will be
us.af.mil. public because they will discuss granted unless a written objection is
classified information and matters received within fifteen (15) days from
Henry Williams, covered by Section 552b of Title 5, the date of publication of this Notice.
Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison United States Code, subsection (c), Written objections should be sent to: Air
Officer. subparagraph (1). Force Research Laboratory, Office of the
[FR Doc. 2017–18069 Filed 8–24–17; 8:45 am] Any member of the public that wishes Staff Judge Advocate, AFRL/RIJ, 26
BILLING CODE 5001–10–P to attend this meeting or provide input Electronic Parkway, Rome, New York
to the Air Force Scientific Advisory 13441–4514. Telephone: (315) 330–
Board must contact the Scientific 2087; Facsimile (315) 330–7583.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Advisory Board meeting organizer at the
phone number or email address listed in Henry Williams,
Department of the Air Force this announcement at least five working Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison
days prior to the meeting date. Please Officer.
U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory
ensure that you submit your written [FR Doc. 2017–18052 Filed 8–24–17; 8:45 am]
Board; Notice of Meeting
statement in accordance with 41 CFR BILLING CODE 5001–10–P
AGENCY: Air Force Scientific Advisory 102–3.140(c) and section 10(a)(3) of the
Board, Department of the Air Force. Federal Advisory Committee Act.
ACTION: Meeting notice. Statements being submitted in response DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
to the agenda mentioned in this notice
SUMMARY: The United States Air Force must be received by the Scientific Office of the Secretary
Scientific Advisory Board plans to hold Advisory Board meeting organizer at
its Fall Board meeting on September 20, Government-Industry Advisory Panel;
least five calendar days prior to the Notice of Federal Advisory Committee
2017. A Portion of this meeting will be meeting commencement date. The
open to the public. Meeting
Scientific Advisory Board meeting
DATES: The meeting date is September organizer will review all timely AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary of
20, 2017, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. submissions and respond to them prior Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and
ADDRESSES: The CENTRA Conference to the start of the meeting identified in Logistics), Department of Defense (DoD).
Center, 4121 Wilson Blvd., Suite 200, this notice. Written statements received ACTION: Federal advisory committee
Arlington, VA 22203. after this date may not be considered by meeting notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The the Scientific Advisory Board until the
Scientific Advisory Board meeting next scheduled meeting. SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is
organizer, Major Mike Rigoni at publishing this notice to announce the
Henry Williams, following Federal advisory committee
michael.j.rigoni.mil@mail.mil or 703– Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison
695–4297, United States Air Force meeting of the Government-Industry
Officer. Advisory Panel. This meeting is open to
Scientific Advisory Board, 1500 West [FR Doc. 2017–18060 Filed 8–24–17; 8:45 am]
Perimeter Road, Ste. #3300, Joint Base the public.
BILLING CODE 5001–10–P DATES: The meetings will be held from
Andrews, MD 20762.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday
provisions of the Federal Advisory and Thursday, September 6 and 7, 2017.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Public registration will begin at 8:45
Appendix, as amended), the Department of the Air Force a.m. on each day. For entrance into the
Government in the Sunshine Act of meeting, you must meet the necessary
1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and U.S. Air Force Exclusive Patent requirements for entrance into the
41 CFR 102–3.150, the Department of License Pentagon. For more detailed
Defense announces the United States information, please see the following
AGENCY: Air Force Research Laboratory link: http://www.pfpa.mil/access.html.
Air Force (USAF) Scientific Advisory Information Directorate, Department of
Board (SAB) Fall Board meeting will Teleconference and direct connect
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
the Air Force, DOD. information will be provided by the
take place on 20 September 2017 at the ACTION: Notice of intent to issue an
The CENTRA Conference Center, Designated Federal Officer and support
exclusive patent license. staff at the contact information in the
located at 4121 Wilson Blvd., Suite 200,
Arlington, VA 22203. The purpose of SUMMARY: Pursuant to the provisions of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
this Air Force Scientific Advisory Board agency regulations, the Department of section.
quarterly meeting is to welcome new the Air Force announces its intention to ADDRESSES:Pentagon Library,
members, prepare for Science and grant The Curators of the University of Washington Headquarters Services,
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Document Created: 2018-10-24 12:40:08
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 12:40:08
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of intent. | |
| Contact | For questions regarding the proposed action, scoping, and EIS development, contact Holloman AFB Public Affairs Office, at (575) 572-7383 or at: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 40572 |
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