AAFB Infrastructure EIS
About NEPA and EISs
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was enacted to address concerns about federal actions and their effects on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the most detailed analysis prescribed by regulations implementing NEPA.
About the Infrastructure Upgrades
Background
U.S. Air Force (USAF) and Department of Defense (DoD) strategies and initiatives for the Indo-Pacific are continuously evolving in response to the geopolitical climate. Strategies such as the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review, 2017 Asia Pacific Stability Initiative, and 2020 Pacific Deterrence Initiative seek to promote an agile defense posture, protection of the nation, and defense of U.S. interests in the region. The proposed infrastructure upgrades at Andersen AFB would be conducted in alignment with these initiatives to improve operationally relevant infrastructure and would allow USAF and DoD to maintain agile and flexible defense capabilities.
As the U.S seeks to strengthen deterrence and participate in stabilization of the Indo-Pacific region, the USAF, in accordance with their responsibilities mandated by Title 10 United States Code 8062 to ensure readiness, needs to augment and adapt its forward presence capabilities. The proposed infrastructure upgrades at Andersen AFB would be conducted in alignment with the evolving USAF and DoD strategies and initiatives for the Indo-Pacific region to improve operationally relevant infrastructure, enhance U.S. forward-posture capabilities, and allow USAF and DoD to maintain agile and flexible defense capabilities. Through construction of infrastructure upgrades at Andersen AFB, the USAF intends to provide better capabilities for rotational aircraft and training detachments in support of U.S. national interests and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Andersen AFB Aerial
Proposed Action
The USAF proposes to construct infrastructure upgrades at Andersen AFB, Guam, and to use this infrastructure consistent with existing installation operations once construction is completed. Infrastructure upgrades would occur adjacent to the existing airfield operations area and in the Munitions Storage Area-1 (MSA-1), totaling approximately 204 acres. Infrastructure upgrades adjacent to the existing airfield operations area would occur in a location that is referred to as the “North Ramp.”
The Proposed Action is based on accommodating aircraft types and flight operations that have been addressed under previously prepared NEPA documentation for Andersen AFB, such as bombers, tankers, and fighters. Upgrading existing airfield and munitions infrastructure would allow Andersen AFB to better accommodate the forward presence of aircraft by providing improved facility capabilities that allow for greater efficiencies and agility in the way ground operations are conducted. The following proposed infrastructure would be constructed or installed at the North Ramp:
- Airfield pavements
- Aircraft hangar and maintenance facility
- Flightline maintenance facility and utility building
- Jet fuel receipt, storage, and distribution system extension
- Fencing and utilities extension
- Roadways and parking
- Stormwater basins
Additionally, the following proposed infrastructure would be constructed or installed within the MSA-1:
- Three earth covered magazines (ECMs)
- Pavements along utilities corridors
- Utilities
- Generator
- Stormwater basins
North Ramp Site Details
Munitions Storage Area Details
FAQs
What is NEPA?The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 was enacted to address concerns about environmental quality. NEPA's main objectives are as follows:
- Ensure that federal agencies evaluate the potential environmental impacts of proposed programs, projects, and actions before decisions are made to implement them.
- Inform the public of proposed federal activities that have the potential to affect the human environment, including the natural and physical environments.
- Encourage and facilitate public involvement in the decision making process.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the most detailed analysis prescribed by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA. An EIS is a detailed public document describing a proposed action, all alternative actions that were considered, and the environmental impacts of implementing the proposed action and reasonable alternatives. CEQ regulations specify that an EIS be prepared when a federal agency proposes a major action with the potential to significantly affect the quality of the human environment. An EIS is required to “provide a basis of consideration and inform decisionmakers and the public of the reasonable alternatives.
This project will be limited to existing Andersen AFB land. Under this proposal, the U.S. Air Force is considering new infrastructure upgrades adjacent to the northwest corner of the existing airfield and within the existing munitions storage area at Andersen AFB.
This project is not related to the Marine Corps relocation. The purpose of this Proposed Action is to enhance Andersen AFB's capability to support permanent and rotational forces within the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the U.S.'s ability to respond regionally and worldwide, in alignment with evolving U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense initiatives for the region. To enhance Andersen AFB's capability to support permanent and rotational forces, the U.S. Air Force needs to upgrade mission-related infrastructure.