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
4. Environmental Consequences
This section describes the potential environmental consequences on the affected environment of
implementing the Proposed Action <strong>and</strong> the No Action Alternative. In Sections 4.1 to 4.13, each
alternative is evaluated <strong>for</strong> its potential to affect physical, biological, <strong>and</strong> socioeconomic resources in
accordance with 40 CFR 1508.8. Potential impacts <strong>for</strong> each resource area are described in terms of their
significance. Significant impacts are those effects that would result in substantial changes to the
environment (as defined by 40 CFR 1508.27) <strong>and</strong> should receive the greatest attention in the
decision-making process.
4.1 L<strong>and</strong> Use
4.1.1 Evaluation Criteria
The significance of potential l<strong>and</strong> use impacts is based on the level of l<strong>and</strong> use sensitivity in areas affected
by a proposed action <strong>and</strong> compatibility of proposed actions with existing conditions. In general, a l<strong>and</strong>
use impact would be significant if it were to cause the following:
Be inconsistent or in noncompliance with existing l<strong>and</strong> use plans or policies
Preclude the viability of existing l<strong>and</strong> use
Preclude continued use or occupation of an area
Be incompatible with adjacent l<strong>and</strong> use to the extent that public health or safety is threatened
Conflict with planning criteria established to ensure the safety <strong>and</strong> protection of human life <strong>and</strong>
property.
4.1.2 Environmental Consequences
4.1.2.1 Proposed Action
The Proposed Action would be in compliance with the l<strong>and</strong> use policies presented in the 2002 Kirtl<strong>and</strong>
Air Force Base, New Mexico General Plan, including the main goals of providing operational support <strong>for</strong>
missions; promoting the health, safety, <strong>and</strong> quality of life of Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB’s personnel; <strong>and</strong> applying
space utilization st<strong>and</strong>ards to improve efficiencies <strong>and</strong> reduce operating costs. The Proposed Action
would specifically satisfy several development objectives identified in the 2002 Kirtl<strong>and</strong> Air Force Base,
New Mexico General Plan to achieve these goals, such as achieving higher development densities,
combining similar missions, <strong>and</strong> siting facilities <strong>for</strong> maximum efficiency. The Proposed Action would be
designated as Aircraft Operations/Maintenance l<strong>and</strong> use, which would be consistent with the existing
Aircraft Operations/Maintenance <strong>and</strong> Open Space uses at the proposed location, <strong>and</strong> would be compatible
with the Open Space l<strong>and</strong> uses in the surrounding area. The l<strong>and</strong> use designation of small portions of the
Proposed Action area would need to be changed from Open Space to Aircraft Operations/Maintenance;
however, this would con<strong>for</strong>m to the Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB Future L<strong>and</strong> Use Plan. There<strong>for</strong>e, the Proposed Action
would be consistent with the existing <strong>and</strong> future installation l<strong>and</strong> use designations <strong>and</strong> would comply with
the 2002 Kirtl<strong>and</strong> Air Force Base, New Mexico General Plan. No impacts on l<strong>and</strong> use plans or policies
would be expected.
The Proposed Action would also be consistent with zoning designations in surrounding off-installation
areas, which include ordinances relating to the Albuquerque International Sunport. Regardless, the
Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB, NM January 2011
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