Environmental Impact Analysis Process. Final Environmental Impact Statement. Proposed Alaskan Radar System Over-the-Horizon Backscatter Radar Program

• Other Authors: ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS DIV HANSCOM AFB MA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1987
• Subjects: Logistics; Military Facilities and Supplies; Active & Passive Radar Detection & Equipment; Environmental Health and Safety; *AIR FORCE FACILITIES; *OVER THE HORIZON RADAR; *ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS; HIGH FREQUENCY; ECONOMIC ANALYSIS; ALASKA; PUBLIC HEALTH; ECOLOGY; RADAR TRANSMITTERS; WILDLIFE; BACKSCATTERING; ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE; RADAR RECEIVERS; SCOIOECONOMICS; ALASKAN RADAR SYSTEMS; permafrost; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA267693; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA267693

This document describes the probable environmental impacts of constructing and operating a new surveillance and tracking radar that operates in the High Frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum. The radar system would consist of two very large transmit antenna arrays, two larger receive antenna arrays, and an operations center located in southcentral Alaska. Five areas were considered for either the transmit arrays or the receive arrays, and one for the operations center. The significance of possible physical and biological impacts would depend on the specific sites selected in these study areas. Grading and borrow requirements, damage to the permafrost and subsequent damage to the terrain, disruption of salmon spawning beds, disturbance of trumpeter swan nesting areas, the collision of birds with the antenna structure and backscreen, and land acquisition are key concerns. Significant economic stimulation of local rural economies would result from ARS construction and operation. Some impact on subsistence activities could occur from alteration of game migration patterns and from increased access to subsistence resources. Electromagnetic interference with telecommunication systems is unlikely. No reliable evidence exists that chronic exposure of humans to the radiofrequency radiation levels outside the exclusion fence surrounding the transmit arrays is likely to be harmful to even the most susceptible members of the population.