The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) operates a DC-8 aircraft that supports their Earth Science Enterprise. This one-of-a-kind aircraft is currently based at Edwards AFB and is owned/funded/operated by NASA as an atmospheric research aircraft. NASA has decided to outsource the operating costs of this aircraft to cut expenditures. The University of North Dakota has a very active and growing aerospace research program and desires to operate this aircraft from the Grand Forks area; however, the local airport is too small to support operations of a DC-8. UND submitted a site survey request to AF/llEPB to determine the feasibility of bedding down this aircraft at Grand Forks AFB. AF/ILEPB approved the request on 31 March 2004. NASA and UND will operate the aircraft to acquire data for a variety of earth science research projects. The site survey report specifies the need for an Environmental Assessment (EA) to be conducted related to the proposed beddown. This EA has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Council on Environmental Quality, and Air Force Environmental Impact Analysis Process. The proposed action would be implemented utilizing the existing facilities and infrastructure available on Grand Forks AFB. Relevant resources evaluated in this EA include air quality, soil resources, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, noise, socioeconomics, environmental justice, transportation, and environmental programs. The 319 CES, NASA and UND considered alternatives to the Grand Forks AFB beddown of the NASA DC-8, but these alternatives did not meet the selection criteria and were eliminated from further consideration. In addition to the analysis of potential impacts from implementation of the proposed action and no action alternative, the EA evaluates cumulative impacts of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions relevant to the proposed action.


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    Title :

    Environmental Assessment Beddown of NASA DC-8 at Grand Forks Air Force Base, Grand Forks, North Dakota


    Publication date :

    2004


    Size :

    86 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English