F-22 Plus-Up Environmental Assessment - Joint Base Elmendorf ...

Cover Sheet
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) FOR
THE F-22 PLUS-UP AT JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON (JBER)
a. Responsible Agency: United States Air Force (Air Force)
b. Proposals and Actions: This EA analyzes the potential environmental consequences of a proposal to plus-up the existing F-22
operational wing at JBER with six primary and one backup aircraft. In 2007, following the 2006 decision to beddown the
second F-22 operational wing at Elmendorf AFB, 42 of the 60 F-15 primary aircraft assigned to then Elmendorf AFB were
replaced by 36 F-22 primary and four backup aircraft. Subsequently, the remaining F-15C squadron of 18 primary aircraft
was reassigned from Elmendorf AFB, leaving what is now JBER with 36 F-22 primary aircraft. The Proposed Action is to
beddown six additional primary and one backup F-22 aircraft; conduct flying sorties at the base with F-22s operating with
approximately 25 percent of departures from the cross-wind runway; train in existing Alaskan airspace; and implement
personnel changes to conform to the F-22 Wing requirements. The additional F-22s would result in two squadrons each
with 21 primary and two backup F-22 aircraft, and one attrition reserve aircraft, for a total of 47 F-22 aircraft. Personnel
changes associated with the F-22 plus-up would result in an increase of 103 positions at the base. F-22 training flights
would take place on existing Alaskan Military Operations Areas (MOAs), Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAAs),
and ranges. During training, F-22s would continue to train at supersonic speeds, employ defensive chaff and flare
countermeasures in airspace authorized for their use, and deploy munitions on approved ranges. The No Action
Alternative would not locate additional F-22s at JBER at this time.
c. For Additional Information: 673d Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Environmental Community Affairs Coordinator, 10480 22 nd
St., Ste. 118, JBER AK, 99506. Telephone inquiries may be made to 907-552-5756.
d. Designation: Environmental Assessment (April 2011 draft).
e. Abstract: This EA has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The analysis
focused on the following environmental resources: airspace management and air traffic control, noise, safety, air quality,
hazardous materials and waste management, biological resources, cultural resources, land use, socioeconomics, and
environmental justice.
Airspace management would not be impacted by the additional six primary F-22 aircraft. Additional portions of the Knik
Arm, the Port of Anchorage, and land west of the Knik Arm would experience noise levels of 65 decibels (dB) Day-Night
Average Sound Level (L dn) or greater, but this change is not projected to significantly impact any human or natural
resources, including threatened or endangered species. On February 22, 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Service
evaluated the potential consequences and issued a finding of may affect but not likely to adversely affect Cook Inlet beluga
whales. There would be no construction required. Hence, there would be no construction noise, no construction air
emissions and no impacts to JBER cultural resources. Any hazardous materials associated with aircraft would be handled
in the existing specialized F-22 maintenance facility and controlled to protect air and water resources. An increase of 103
base positions (less than one percent of base employment) is not expected to substantially affect commute times and would
result in no measurable effect upon the regional economy. No on- or off-base residences are exposed to noise levels greater
than 80 dB L dn. Workers on JBER are protected against possible noise impacts by adherence to DoD noise management
guidelines. The 65 dB L dn noise contours would not extend off base over residential areas. Disadvantaged populations
would not be disproportionately affected by the proposed plus-up, and there would be no health or safety impacts to
children.
The additional aircraft would not affect airspace management in existing Alaskan training airspace, including Special Use
Airspace (SUA). The F-22 pilot’s improved situational awareness and the F-22 normal training altitude are expected to
result in no safety impacts to civil aviation. F-22 Class A mishap rates per 100,000 flight hours are expected to be
comparable to those of the F-15. The increase in noise between baseline conditions and the Proposed Action would be 1 dB
L dnmr or less in all training airspaces. The additional F-22s would result in one to three additional sonic booms per month
under approved training airspaces. This is not expected to affect special-status or game species, although Alaska Natives or
others who reside or spend extensive time under the airspace could experience increased annoyance. Air quality, land use,
recreation, and cultural resources would not be affected by the additional six primary aircraft. Chaff and flare use and
munitions training by the additional F-22s on approved ranges would be expected to increase proportionate to the
additional F-22 training, or approximately 16.7 percent from existing F-22 use. No safety or biological consequences from
continued chaff and flare or munitions use are anticipated.
With the previous departure of the three F-15 squadrons from JBER, No Action would affect the Air Force consolidation of
F-22 aircraft to maximize aircraft for contingencies and would affect the enhancement of F-22 operational flexibility.