The National Environmental Policy Act

Background

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 was enacted to address concerns about federal actions and their effects on the environment.  NEPA’s main objectives are as follows:

• Ensure analysis of proposed federal programs, projects, and actions before decision-making
• Inform the public of proposed federal activities that might affect environmental quality
• Encourage and facilitate public involvement in the decision-making process

What is an EIS?

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the most detailed analysis prescribed by the regulations implementing NEPA.  An EIS is a detailed public document describing:

• A proposed action
• All alternative actions that were considered
• Environmental impacts of implementing the proposed action and reasonable alternatives

Steps in the EIS Process

• Notice of Intent published
• Public scoping period
• Preparation of Draft EIS
• Notice of Availability (NOA) for Draft EIS published
• Draft EIS comment period and public hearing
• Preparation of Final EIS
• NOA for Final EIS published
• Waiting Period (30 days)
• Record of Decision

Public Scoping

What is Public Scoping?

• An early and open process, conducted in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for identifying issues and alternatives to be addressed in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and determining who is interested in the proposed action
• Begins with publication of a Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register stating an agency’s intent to prepare an EIS

The U.S. Air Force has published an NOI in the Federal Register to prepare an EIS for the proposed Infrastructure Upgrades at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam. The U.S. Air Force is the lead agency for the EIS, and the U.S. Navy is a cooperating agency.

What Happens During Public Scoping?

During public scoping, the U.S. Air Force:

• Provides information about the proposed action and alternatives being considered
• Corresponds with local and federal stakeholders
• Conducts public outreach
• Requests comments

What Role Does the Public Have During Public Scoping?

During public scoping, government agencies, stakeholders, and the public are invited to:

• Identify issues and concerns, and provide new information, data, and suggestions
• Request information
• Participate in public outreach opportunities
• Submit comments, relevant information, and questions

What Happens After Public Scoping?

After the public scoping period has ended, the U.S. Air Force will:

• Incorporate public input into the proposal and develop the Draft EIS, which is expected to be completed in late 2021 or early 2022
• Make the Draft EIS available to the public for review for a minimum of 45 days
• Incorporate applicable input on the Draft EIS into the development of the Final EIS, which is anticipated in mid to late 2022; a Record of Decision could be signed no sooner than 30 days after the Final EIS is released

Proposed Action Overview

Project 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.
• Initiatives and strategies seek to promote an agile defense posture, protection of the nation, and defense of U.S. interests in the region.
• Operationally relevant infrastructure within the Indo-Pacific allows for USAF and DoD to maintain agile and flexible defense capabilities in accordance with evolving strategies and initiatives.

Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action

• Purpose: Enhance Andersen Air Force Base’s (AFB) 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 USAF and DoD initiatives for the region.
• Need: Meet national security objectives and improve Andersen AFB’s ability to support the mission requirements for permanent and rotational aircraft in the face of evolving global security challenges.

General Description of the Proposed Action 

• Construction of infrastructure upgrades over the course of 7 years at the North Ramp and Munitions Storage Area-1 (Figure 1). Would provide additional aircraft parking, fueling, maintenance, and munitions storage infrastructure to allow for greater efficiencies and agility in the way ground operations are conducted at Andersen AFB.
• Designed to accommodate aircraft types and flight operations that have been addressed under previously completed National Environmental Policy Act documentation.

​​​​​​Image: Andersen AFB Project Area

Impacts Analysis

The following topics will be analyzed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS):

Biological Resources

• Threatened and endangered species
• Wildlife and vegetation
• Wetlands and floodplains

Water Resources

• Water quality (surface water and stormwater)
• Groundwater aquifers

Cultural Resources

• Archaeological resources (prehistoric and historic)
• Historic architectural resources
• Traditional resources

Social Resources

• Land use, including coastal zone management
• Socioeconomics and environmental justice
• Health and safety

Other Considerations

• Geology and soils
• Infrastructure and utilities
• Noise
• Air quality
• Airfield management and aircraft safety
• Transportation
• Hazardous materials and waste

Potential Impact Review

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) will conduct cultural and natural resources surveys in the areas proposed for upgrades, and consult with appropriate resource agencies to determine the potential for significant impacts on those resources. During construction, the USAF anticipates an increased demand on the construction workforce and an increase in local spending. Currently, no other short- or long-term notable impacts are anticipated. Additional analysis will be provided in the Draft EIS.

Submit Comments

As a direct result of the National Emergency declared by the President on Friday, March 13, 2020, in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the U.S. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for social distancing and avoiding large public gatherings, all scoping is being conducted virtually. Virtual public scoping is conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the 2020 version of its implementing regulations at 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1506.6.

Through this virtual scoping process, comments, questions, and relevant information are welcomed on the U.S. Air Force’s proposed Infrastructure Upgrades at Andersen Air Force Base. The U.S. Air Force also welcomes comments under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 800) regarding the identification of or effects on historic properties, and requests to become a consulting party in the Section 106 process. Please submit comments in English using one of the following methods: 

• Postal Mail: 36th Civil Engineer Squadron
  ATTN: CEV (AAFB Infrastructure EIS)
  Unit 14007
  APO AP 96543-4007
• Email: AAFBInfrastructure.EIS@us.af.mil
• Project Website: www.AAFBInfrastructureEIS.com/provide-comments

Scoping materials are available on the project website for browsing or download, and in print at the Nieves M. Flores Memorial Library (254 Martyr Street, Hagåtña, Guam). Requests for printed scoping materials may also be made to the addresses above. For printed material requests, the standard U.S. Postal Service shipping timeline will apply. Please consider the environment before requesting printed material.

To ensure the U.S. Air Force has sufficient time to consider public input, please submit all comments by May 30, 2021.

Thank you for your participation in the public scoping process for the
Andersen AFB Infrastructure Upgrades Environmental Impact Statement!