AAFB Infrastructure EIS

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) published a Notice of Availability for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the Federal Register on June 14, 2024 and held a 45-day public review period for the Draft EIS, which ended on July 29, 2024. All comments received during the public review period for the Draft EIS are being considered in preparation of the Final EIS, and substantive comments will be addressed in the Final EIS. The Final EIS is anticipated in Spring 2025. Additional information on the Draft EIS Public Review Period that was conducted is provided on this page below.

Draft EIS Public Review Period

The DAF conducted a public review period, beginning on June 14, 2024 and ending on July 29, 2024, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality's NEPA regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations 1500-1508).

The DAF requested comments from local and federal agencies, political stakeholders, and interested members of the public and held two public meetings, one in Dededo and one in Yigo, to provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about the proposal and provide input. The public meetings were held in an “open house” format for the duration of each meeting, and all members of the public were invited and encouraged to attend. Written and verbal comments were accepted at the meetings.

Materials prepared for the public review period are included here and are still available for download on the Resources page of this website for the duration of the project. The Draft EIS was also available for review at the following libraries: Nieves M. Flores Memorial Library, 254 Martyr Street, Hagåtña, GU 96910; and University of Guam Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Government Documents, Tan Siu Lin Building, UOG Station, 303 University Drive, Mangilao, GU 96923.

Project informational materials include a project presentation, informational brochure, public meetings flier, and posters. Each poster topic was organized around one main theme of the project. The navigation bar, located below and at the bottom of the page, allows reviewers to jump to a new poster topic. Following the public review period, this information will continue to be available for review at the Resources page through the duration of the project.

Project Presentation Informational Brochure Public Meeting Flyer

View Presentation English CHamoru View Flyer

Quick Jump to View Meeting Topics: Topic #1 Topic #2 Topic #3 Topic #4 Topic #5 Topic #6 Topic #7 Topic #8 Topic #9

Topic #1 - The National Environmental Policy Act

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 meetings
Preparation of Final EIS
NOA for Final EIS published
Waiting period (30 days)
Record of Decision

Topic #2 - Public Review Period

Public Review Period

What is the Public Review Period?

A public review period is conducted to provide the public with the opportunity to review and comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Draft EIS contains information on the action being proposed, and presents potential impacts from implementing the proposed action and alternatives.
During the public review period, the Department of the Air Force (DAF) actively requests substantive public comments on topics addressed in the Draft EIS for consideration in the Final EIS.

The DAF has published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register for the Draft EIS for the F-15 Beddown and Infrastructure Upgrades at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam. The DAF is the lead agency for the EIS and the Department of the Navy is a cooperating agency.

What Happens After the Public Review Period Has Ended?

After the public review period has ended, the DAF will consider the comments received in the preparation of the Final EIS. All comments received within the public review period for the Draft EIS will be considered, and substantive comments will be responded to in the Final EIS. The DAF considers a comment to be substantive if it:

Provides additional or new information that is relevant to the EIS.
Presents other reasonable alternatives or components to the project, provided that a rational basis for consideration of the alternative or component is included.
Questions the accuracy or adequacy of the information presented in the Draft EIS, provided that a rational basis for the question is included.

The Final EIS and a Record of Decision on the Proposed Action are expected in Spring 2025. A Record of Decision could be signed no sooner than 30 days after the Final EIS is released.

Topic #3 - Proposed Action Overview

Proposed Action Overview

Project Background

Department of the Air Force (DAF) and Department of Defense (DoD) strategies and initiatives for the Indo-Pacific are continuously evolving in response to the geopolitical climate.
Conducting an F-15 beddown and improving operationally relevant infrastructure with DAF and DoD initiatives to modernize and strengthen DoD's presence, improve logistics and maintenance capabilities, and allow the DAF and DoD to maintain agile defense capabilities within the region, in accordance with DAF responsibilities mandated by Title 10 U.S. Code 8062 to ensure readiness.

Purpose and Need

Purpose: The purpose of the Proposed Action is to provide critical infrastructure that enhances U.S. posture west of the International Date Line. Additionally, the purpose of the Proposed Action is to beddown and operate Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) fighter aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) to support training requirements.
Need: The Proposed Action is needed to enhance DAF capability to support U.S. and partner nation forces within the Indo-Pacific region and strengthen the U.S.'s ability to respond regionally and worldwide, through construction of infrastructure upgrades and increased support of fighter aircraft, in alignment with evolving DAF and DoD strategies and initiatives for the region. Increasing and improving infrastructure would address capability gaps and allow for greater efficiencies and agility in the way ground operations are conducted.

General Description of the Proposed Action

Beddown up to 12 RSAF F-15 fighter aircraft with anticipated arrival in 2029, to include airfield operations and a 3 percent increase in installation personnel, which would strengthen partner national alliances.
Construct infrastructure upgrades over approximately 3 to 7 years adjacent to the northwest corner of the airfield (North Ramp) and within Munitions Storage Area 1 (MSA-1) at Andersen AFB (Figure 1). Would provide additional options for parking, storing, maintaining, refueling, loading, and unloading aircraft at the airfield, as well as storing munitions, which would address capability gaps and allow for greater efficiencies and agility in the way ground operations are conducted. The proposed infrastructure has multiple uses and could support both the F-15 beddown and other DAF, service component, and partner nation aircraft or missions operating from Andersen AFB now or in the future.

Figure 1: Overview of Locations on Andersen AFB Selected for Infrastructure Upgrades

Alternatives Consideration

The DAF reviewed requirements for strategic capabilities within the Indo-Pacific region and dismissed five other potential alternative locations within the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility (i.e., Iwo To [formerly known as Iwo Jima], Japan; Saipan, U.S.; Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory; Wake Island, U.S.; and Hawai‘i, U.S.) from consideration. Once Andersen AFB was identified for enhanced strategic capabilities, the DAF considered multiple locations on Andersen AFB for construction of infrastructure upgrades, and considered renovation or replacement of existing infrastructure. Only the Proposed Action was determined to meet the selection standards for infrastructure upgrades. The Draft EIS also analyzes a No Action Alternative, in addition to the Proposed Action.

Topic #4 - Proposed Action: Infrastructure Upgrades

Proposed Action: Infrastructure Upgrades

Proposed Action:
North Ramp Infrastructure Figure - Proposed North Ramp Infrastructure Upgrades.jpg

Approximately 80 acres of paved surfaces; 16 acres of stormwater management infrastructure; and 96 acres that would be cleared, graded, revegetated, and maintained.

Airfield pavements
Aircraft hangar and maintenance facility
Flightline maintenance facility and utility building
Jet fuel receipt, storage, and distribution system extension
Fencing and utilities extensions
Roadways and parking
Stormwater management infrastructure

Figure 1: Proposed North Ramp
Infrastructure Upgrades

Figure - Proposed MSA-1 Infrastructure Upgrades.jpg

Proposed Action:
Munitions Storage Area-1 Infrastructure:

Approximately 2 acres of paved surfaces; 1.5 acres of stormwater management infrastructure; 2.3 acres of temporary disturbance to support construction; and 11.2 acres that would be cleared, revegetated, and maintained.

Three earth-covered magazines
Pavements and utility extensions
Generator
Stormwater management infrastructure

Figure 2: Proposed MSA-1 Infra-
structure Upgrades

Topic #5 - Proposed Action: F-15 Beddown

Proposed Action:

F-15 Beddown:

Aircraft: Beddown of up to 12 Republic of Singapore (RSAF) F-15 fighter aircraft with anticipated arrival in 2029
Operations: F-15 aircraft operations (i.e., flight operations that include a takeoff and landing) from Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), to include hosting periodic, temporary aircraft in support of the training mission requirements for the F-15s
- Each training event would include an additional 12 F-15s (i.e., total of 24 F-15s per training event), 1 tanker/refueling aircraft (e.g., KC-135, KC-46, A-330), and 1 early warning aircraft (e.g., G-550).
- Training events with these additional aircraft would begin in 2030, after the F-15 beddown action is complete, and would occur for four weeks per event, twice per year.
- No new airspace is proposed and no changes to the manner in which the existing airspace is used would occur.
Personnel: Increase in 240 personnel at the installation, concurrent with the 2029 beddown, to conform to squadron mission requirements. During each four-week training event, which would occur twice per year, an additional approximately 200 personnel would be required for the duration of the event.

Topic #6 - Impacts Analysis

Impacts Analysis

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

Biological Resources

Threatened and endangered species
Essential fish habitat
Wildlife and vegetation
Wetlands and floodplains

Cultural Resources

Archaeological resources (prehistoric and historic)
Historic and architectural resources

Water Resources

Water quality (surface water and stormwater)
Groundwater aquifers

Social Resources

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

Other Considerations

Geology and soils
Infrastructure and utilities
Noise
Air quality
Transportation
Hazardous materials and waste

Summary of Impact Analysis

The Department of the Air Force conducted cultural and natural resources surveys in the areas proposed for upgrades and is consulting with appropriate resource agencies to determine the potential for significant impacts on those resources and corresponding mitigation measures, as needed. It is not expected that the Proposed Action would have significant impacts on other topics analyzed in the Draft EIS.

Topic #7 - Submit Comments

Submit Comments

Comments, questions, and relevant information are welcomed on the Department of the Air Force’s (DAF) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the F-15 Beddown and Infrastructure Upgrades at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam. The DAF also welcomes comments under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR 800) regarding the identification of or effects on historic properties. Please submit comments in English using one of the following methods:

Postal Mail:
HQ AFCEC/CIE
ATTN: Mr. David Martin
Bldg. 171, 2261 Hughes Ave., Ste. 155
JBSA Lacklan AFB, TX 78236-9853
(U.S.) POSTAL SERVICES DELIVERY)

Email:
afcec.aafb.infrasandf-15eis@us.af.mil
Attn: AAFB F-15 and Infrastructure EIS

Project Website:
www.AAFBInfraAndF15EIS.com

Public Meetings:
Verbal and written comments are being accepted at both public meetings.

The Draft EIS and associated public materials are available on the project website for browsing or download. Requests for printed materials can be made using the methods above. For printed materials, the standard U.S. Postal Service shipping timeline will apply. Please consider the environment before requesting printed material.

To ensure the DAF has sufficient time to consider public input, please submit comments by July 29, 2024.

Thank you for your participation in the Draft EIS public review period for the F-15 Beddown and Infrastructure Upgrades at Andersen AFB!

Topic #8 - Biological Resources

Biological Resources

Existing Conditions:

Figure - Limestone Degraded Forest with Native Trees.jpg

Figure 1: Limestone Degraded Forest with Native Trees in the North
Ramp Project Area

Surveys were conducted in North Ramp and MSA-1 in 2021 and 2024 to characterizevegetation communities and fauna, and document presence or absence of Guam or federally listed species. Surveys documented presence of:

Five vegetation communities within the project areas, with dominant vegetation types being limestone degraded forest and developed land
Native and non-native wildlife
Five federally-listed plant species (i.e., Cycas micronesica, Tabernaemontana rotensi, Bulbophyllum guamense, Dendrobium guamense, and Tuberolabium guamense) and one federally listed mammal species (i.e., Mariana fruit bat)

Anticipated Impacts:

Vegetation: Loss of native vegetation and habitat; would also reduce native seed and pollen sources and increase the opportunity for spread of non-native species.

Wildlife: Physical disturbance and construction-related noise, lighting, and dust emissions during construction. Long-term habitat loss, modification, and fragmentation would impact wildlife.

Special Status Species: Degradation or modification of available supporting forest habitat, affecting both plant and animal special status species. In consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, DAF is identifying specific conervation measures to address effects on special status plants and loss of forest vegetation. Conservation measures could include:

Salvage and transplant of individual plants
Enhancement of limestone forest habitat around Andersen AFB
Bat poaching deterrence


Figure 2: Cycas micronesia in North Ramp Area	Figure 3: Tabernaemontana rotensis

Topic #9 - Noise

Noise