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
4.9.2 Environmental Consequences
4.9.2.1 Proposed Action
Electrical Systems. The Proposed Action would require minimal amounts of electricity during
construction activities; however, because these activities would be limited to a short period (12- to
14-month duration), the increase in electrical dem<strong>and</strong> would only be temporary. Electrical service
interruptions might be experienced should aboveground or underground electrical cables need to be
rerouted outside of the proposed work area. Service interruptions might also be experienced when the
lighting infrastructure <strong>for</strong> the existing <strong>and</strong> proposed <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cargo</strong> <strong>pad</strong>s is connected to the Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB
electrical system.
Following the implementation of the Proposed Action, the overall electrical dem<strong>and</strong> at Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB
would increase negligibly due to the added lighting infrastructure. As such, the Proposed Action would
not result in significant effects on electrical systems.
Natural Gas Systems. The Proposed Action would not alter the amount of natural gas used at Kirtl<strong>and</strong>
AFB. Natural gas would not be used during construction activities, <strong>and</strong> operation of the proposed <strong>hot</strong>
<strong>cargo</strong> <strong>pad</strong> would not require natural gas service.
Liquid Fuel. The Proposed Action would not alter the quantities of liquid fuels (JP-8, diesel, <strong>and</strong>
gasoline) used at Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB nor would it affect their h<strong>and</strong>ling <strong>and</strong> storage. The Proposed Action
would not change aircraft or l<strong>and</strong>-based vehicle traffic volumes; there<strong>for</strong>e, liquid fuel dem<strong>and</strong> would
remain unchanged.
Central Heating <strong>and</strong> Cooling Systems. The Proposed Action would not impact the central heating
system of Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB. Central heating resources would not be used during construction activities, <strong>and</strong>
the proposed <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cargo</strong> <strong>pad</strong> facilities would not require central heating service.
Water Supply Systems. Construction of the proposed <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cargo</strong> <strong>pad</strong> would require minimal amounts of
water, primarily <strong>for</strong> dust-suppression purposes. This water would be obtained from the Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB
water supply system, <strong>and</strong> because construction activities would be limited to a short period, the increase
in water dem<strong>and</strong> would only be temporary. Water service interruptions might be experienced should
underground water lines need to be rerouted outside of the proposed work area. Service interruptions
might also be experienced when the proposed <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cargo</strong> <strong>pad</strong> facilities are connected to the Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB
water supply system.
Following the implementation of the Proposed Action, the overall water dem<strong>and</strong> at Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB could
increase due to the added infrastructure at the proposed <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cargo</strong> <strong>pad</strong> site <strong>and</strong> operation <strong>and</strong> maintenance
activities. However, because the proposed <strong>and</strong> existing <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cargo</strong> <strong>pad</strong>s would not be used simultaneously
<strong>and</strong> the volume of <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cargo</strong> traffic at Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB would remain unchanged, the potential increase in
water dem<strong>and</strong> from the use of the proposed <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cargo</strong> <strong>pad</strong> would be largely offset by the reduction in use
of Pad 5. Any potential increase in water dem<strong>and</strong> from the implementation of the Proposed Action would
be negligible in magnitude <strong>and</strong> within the current available capacity of the Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB water supply
system. As such, the Proposed Action would result in adverse effects on water systems; however, these
effects would be expected to be less than significant.
Sanitary Sewer <strong>and</strong> Wastewater Systems. The Proposed Action would not impact the sanitary sewer <strong>and</strong>
wastewater systems of Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB. Wastewater service would not be required <strong>for</strong> construction
activities or during operation of the proposed <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cargo</strong> <strong>pad</strong>.
Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB, NM January 2011
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