Draft Environmental Impact Statement For The Proposed Modernization And Expansion Of Townsend Bombing Range Georgia

This Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared in accordance with Air Force regulations, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) guidelines to assess the combined impacts of the Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB) realignment and a proposed expanded range capability. This EIS is the beginning or Tier 1 of an environmental analysis process that addresses the specific impacts to MHAFB and its environs. This Tier 1 EIS, in addition to evaluating the specific impacts of the MHAFB realignment actions, identifies and evaluates in general terms the potential expansion of range capability in southwestern Idaho and any reasonable alternatives available to meet training requirements. Air Force short-term, intermediate, and long-term training requirements are also identified in this Tier 1 EIS. Tier 1 will contribute to the decision to either proceed further with detailed studies and analysis for a range capability expansion in southwestern Idaho, or to select other alternatives. This Tier 1 EIS provides the initial framework (operational requirements, range development criteria, environmental attributes for the area, and description of environmental impacts associated with ranges) for use in a subsequent Tier 2 EIS if the decision is made to pursue a range expansion option. (sdw).

The proposed action is the establishment of an air-to-surface weapons range adjacent to the east side of Moody AFB, GA. The primary user of the range would be the 347 Tactical Fighter Wing which is based at Moody. This statement assesses the environmental impacts expected to result from construction and operation of the proposed Winnersville Range. The no-action alternative of not proceeding with establishment of the range is also considered. Salient impacts of range development would result from clearing vegetation on the 450-acre target area near the center of the Grand Bay/Banks Lake wetlands complex. The principal impacts of operation would result from increased noise levels in the vicinity of the 5900-acre range. It is concluded that no overriding environmental factors are evident that would render establishment of the proposed range unacceptable.