Final FONSI and EA for hot cargo pad on Kirtland AFB - Kirtland Air ...

<strong>Final</strong> <strong>EA</strong> Addressing Construction, Operation, <strong>and</strong> Maintenance of a Hot Cargo Pad
building shall file an asbestos notification with the department no fewer than 10 calendar days be<strong>for</strong>e the
start of such activity. Written asbestos notification certifying to the presence of ACM is required even if
regulated ACM is not or may not be present in such buildings or structures.”
3.5 Geology <strong>and</strong> Soils
3.5.1 Definition of the Resource
Geological resources consist of the Earth’s surface <strong>and</strong> subsurface materials. Within a given
physiographic province, these resources typically are described in terms of topography <strong>and</strong> physiography,
geology, soils, <strong>and</strong>, where applicable, geologic hazards <strong>and</strong> paleontology. Topography <strong>and</strong> physiography
pertain to the general shape <strong>and</strong> arrangement of a l<strong>and</strong> surface, including its height <strong>and</strong> the position of its
natural <strong>and</strong> human-made features. Geology is the study of the Earth’s composition <strong>and</strong> provides
in<strong>for</strong>mation on the structure <strong>and</strong> configuration of surface <strong>and</strong> subsurface features. Such in<strong>for</strong>mation
derives from field analysis based on observations of the surface <strong>and</strong> borings to identify subsurface
composition.
Soils are the unconsolidated materials overlying bedrock or other parent material. Soils typically are
described in terms of their complex type, slope, <strong>and</strong> physical characteristics. Differences among soil
types in terms of their structure, elasticity, strength, shrink-swell potential, <strong>and</strong> erosion potential affect
their abilities to support certain applications or uses. In appropriate cases, soil properties must be
examined <strong>for</strong> their compatibility with particular construction activities or types of l<strong>and</strong> use.
Prime farml<strong>and</strong> is protected under the Farml<strong>and</strong> Protection Policy Act (FPPA) of 1981. Prime farml<strong>and</strong>
is defined as l<strong>and</strong> that has the best combination of physical <strong>and</strong> chemical characteristics <strong>for</strong> producing
food, feed, <strong>for</strong>age, fiber, <strong>and</strong> oilseed crops, <strong>and</strong> is also available <strong>for</strong> these uses. The soil qualities,
growing season, <strong>and</strong> moisture supply are needed <strong>for</strong> a well-managed soil to produce a sustained high
yield of crops in an economic manner. The l<strong>and</strong> could be cropl<strong>and</strong>, pasture, rangel<strong>and</strong>, or other l<strong>and</strong>, but
not urban developed l<strong>and</strong> or water. The intent of the FPPA is to minimize the extent that Federal
programs contribute to the unnecessary conversion of farml<strong>and</strong> to nonagricultural uses. The Act also
ensures that Federal programs are administered in a manner that, to the extent practicable, will be
compatible with private, state, <strong>and</strong> local government programs <strong>and</strong> policies to protect farml<strong>and</strong>.
The implementing procedures of the FPPA <strong>and</strong> Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) require
Federal agencies to evaluate the adverse effects (direct <strong>and</strong> indirect) of their activities on prime <strong>and</strong>
unique farml<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> farml<strong>and</strong> of statewide <strong>and</strong> local importance, <strong>and</strong> to consider alternative actions that
could avoid adverse effects. Determination of whether an area is considered prime or unique farml<strong>and</strong>
<strong>and</strong> potential impacts associated with a proposed action is based on preparation of the farml<strong>and</strong>
conversion impact rating <strong>for</strong>m AD-1006 <strong>for</strong> areas where prime farml<strong>and</strong> soils occur <strong>and</strong> by applying
criteria established at Section 658.5 of the FPPA (7 CFR 658). The NRCS is responsible <strong>for</strong> overseeing
compliance with the FPPA <strong>and</strong> has developed the rules <strong>and</strong> regulations <strong>for</strong> implementation of the Act
(see 7 CFR Part 658, 5 July 1984).
3.5.2 Existing Conditions
Regional Geology. The City of Albuquerque <strong>and</strong> Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB are near the junction of five
physiographic provinces: the Colorado Plateau, the Basin <strong>and</strong> Range, the Southern Rocky Mountains, the
Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e rift, <strong>and</strong> the Great Plains (Grant 1981). Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB is in the eastern margin of the
Albuquerque Basin, a major feature of the Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e rift. The Rio Gr<strong>and</strong>e rift is approximately
620 miles long <strong>and</strong> is bordered on the west by the Colorado Plateau <strong>and</strong> on the east by the Great Plains.
The Albuquerque Basin is north-trending <strong>and</strong> is approximately 90 miles long <strong>and</strong> 31 miles wide. It
Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB, NM January 2011
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