NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PROPOSED FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR PLAYAS SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE IN NEW MEXICO PROPONENT IS DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZONA

  • Published
  • 355th Wing Public Affairs

A Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) have been prepared to analyze the potential impacts associated with the establishment of airspace in the form of a permanent military operations area (MOA), which is a type of special use airspace (SUA), and air traffic control-assigned area (ATCAA) centered over the Playas Training and Research Center (PTRC) in Grant and Hidalgo Counties, New Mexico.

The EA, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality regulations, and Air Force instructions implementing NEPA; evaluates potential impacts of the alternative actions on the environment including the No-Action Alternative. Based on this analysis, the Air Force has prepared a proposed FONSI.

The Draft EA and proposed FONSI, dated April 2021, are available for review at the following locations: Lordsburg-Hildago Library, 208 East Third St., Lordsburg, NM 88045; Silver City Public Library, 515 W College Ave., Silver City, NM 88061; Bayard Public Library, 1112 Central Avenue, Bayard, NM 88023; and Gila Valley Library, 411 NM-211, Gila, NM 88038.

Electronic copies of the documents can also be found on the Davis-Monthan AFB website at www.dm.af.mil. You are encouraged to submit comments through 18 May 2021. Please provide any comments within 30 days of the date of this Notice of Availability. Comments should be provided to Mr. Kevin Wakefield, EIAP Program Manager. Please send him your comments and concerns to 3775 South Fifth Street, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 85707-3012, or by email or phone at kevin.wakefield.1@us.af.mil or (520) 228-4035.    

The Air Force is aware of the potential impact of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the usual methods of access to information and ability to communicate, such as the mass closure of local public libraries and challenges with the sufficiency of an increasingly-overburdened internet. The Air Force seeks to implement appropriate additional measures to ensure that the public and all interested stakeholders have the opportunity to participate fully in this EA process.  Accordingly, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at the email address or telephone number provided above; we are available to discuss and help resolve issues involving access to the Draft EA and Proposed FONSI, or the ability to comment.

PRIVACY ADVISORY NOTICE

This Draft EA and proposed FONSI are provided for public comment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the President’s Council on Environmental Quality NEPA Regulations (40 CFR §1500-1508), and 32 CFR §989, the Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP). The EIAP provides an opportunity for public input on Air Force decision-making, allows the public to offer inputs on alternative ways for the Air Force to accomplish what it is proposing, and solicits comments on the Air Force’s analysis of environmental effects.

Public comment allows the Air Force to make better, informed decisions. Letters or other written or oral comments provided may be published in the EA. As required by law, comments provided will be addressed in the EA and made available to the public. Providing personal information is voluntary. Any personal information provided will be used only to identify your desire to make a statement during the public comment portion of any public meetings or hearings or to fulfill requests for copies of the EA and associated documents. Private addresses will be compiled to develop a mailing list for those requesting copies of the EA; however only the names of the individuals making comments and specific comments will be disclosed. Personal home addresses and phone numbers will not be published in the EA.