[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 1995)] [Notices] [Pages 4403-4404] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-1606] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Air Force Notice of Intent To Prepare Environmental Impact Statement for the Hardwood Range Expansion and Related Airspace Actions, Hardwood Range, Wood County, WI The United States Air Force and the Air National Guard are announcing their intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the proposed action regarding the Hardwood Range expansion into Wood County Wisconsin and modification and/or expansion of related airspace in the states of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. This action will be known as the Hardwood EIS. The Air National Guard proposes to modify Hardwood Air-to-Surface Gunnery Range located on the northern most portion of Juneau County near the town of Finley, Wisconsin. This proposed action will expand the land area by approximately 7,130 acres north of the current boundaries into Wood County. A new target area, an area for an aircraft assault strip and a new drop zone is proposed to be developed. The action will provide for multi-directional entry into the range, allowing each unit to accomplish a broader range of training, and helping to reduce the expense incurred in deploying to more distant ranges. This action is also being proposed to enhance operational safety. The proposed expansion would ensure military flights remain over land owned or controlled by the government, further increasing safety for the civilian population near the range. The number of aircraft sorties flown annually would increase from 3,401 to 3,966. Restricted airspace would be modified to include the contiguous new range boundaries to ensure the safety of non-participating aircraft. The action would lower the bottom altitude and expand the lateral confines of the Restricted Airspace 6904B. It would also increase the maximum altitude of R-6904A and R-6904B from 17,000 MSL to 25,000 MSL. Three stand-alone airspace actions are being proposed which are independent of the range expansion. The first proposed airspace action will establish six new Military Training Routes (MTRs) south of the range that will encompass two ground tracks. The proposed ground tracks would be oriented predominately north-south, and extend approximately 200 Nautical Miles (NM) from Hardwood Range. The two ground tracks merge approximately 60 NM south of the range. The location is southwestern Wisconsin and northeastern Iowa. A total of approximately 2,150 flights would be flown annually along the six routes. These MTRs will allow Air National Guard and other military units closer training airspace, allowing the units to accomplish more training on each flight. The second airspace proposal will increase the number of sorties flown from 185 to 1,340 in the existing Volk South Military Operations Area (MOA). This MOA is located south of Hardwood Range. It is presently used in conjunction with the range and other adjoining airspace for aircraft training sorties. The use of multi-directional entries into Hardwood Range would increase utilization. Also, new weapons and tactics would require increased use of the Volk South MOA in conjunction with adjoining Volk West and Volk East MOAs. The third airspace action is to reassess Visual Route-1616 for increased utilization. This MTR begins in southeastern Minnesota and traverses easterly into Hardwood Range. The utilization would increase from 2,187 to 2,423 sorties annually. This increase is expected to satisfy users training requirements. Alternatives under consideration include establishing a new air-to- surface gunnery range, using the existing US Army Range at Fort McCoy, closing Hardwood Range and redirecting units to other ranges, and the no action alternative. The Air Force and Air National Guard are planning to conduct a series of scoping meetings on the following dates and times at the indicated locations: 1. Mauston Expo Center, Hickory Street, Mauston, WI, February 14, 1995, 7:00 PM. 2. Independence High School, 108 6th Street, Independence, WI, February 15, 1995, 7:00 PM. 3. Pittsville Community Center, Main Street and 3rd Avenue, Pittsville, WI, February 16, 1995, 7:00 PM. 4. Tilford Middle School, 308 East 13th Street, Vinton, IA, February 21, 1995, 7:00 PM 5. Boscobel Community Center, Oak Street, Boscobel, WI, February 22, 1995, 7:00 PM. 6. Elkader Community School, North 1st Street, Elkader, IA, February 23, 1995, 7:00 PM The purpose of these meetings is to present information concerning the proposed actions and alternatives under consideration and solicit public input on issues to be addressed, effort to be expended, and alternatives that should be addressed in the EIS. Questions or clarifications concerning the proposal, or any other information presented, will be answered as they relate to the scope of the effort anticipated. The scoping meetings will provide opportunities for clarification of the proposal and statements from representatives of government agencies and the public. Additional presentations and questions will be accepted at the end of the meeting. Submission of written and oral comments and questions will be accepted. Submission [[Page 4404]] of written comments is encouraged but is not required. Written comments and questions of any length submitted at the meeting or during the scoping period will be considered in their entirety and will carry the same weight as oral comment. The Air Force and Air National Guard will accept comments at the address below at any time during the environmental impact analysis process. To ensure the Air Force and the Air National Guard have sufficient time to consider public input in the preparation of the Draft EIS, comments should be submitted to the address below by March 21, 1995. For further information concerning the preparation of the Hardwood EIS, or to provide written comment, contact: Program Manager, Hardwood EIS, Air National Guard Readiness Center, ANGRC/CEVP, 3500 Fetchet Avenue, Andrews Air Force Base, MD 20331-5157. Patsy J. Conner, Air Force Federal Register Liasion Officer. [FR Doc. 95-1606 Filed 1-20-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3910-01-P