Environmental Assessment for the Construction of Power and Fiber Optic Lines to Facilities in the Yukon Training Area, Alaska - Phase 4

• Main Author: Conn, Sarah C
• Other Authors: ALASKA CALEDONIA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ESTER
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: Electric Power Production and Distribution; Logistics; Military Facilities and Supplies; Fiber Optics and Integrated Optics; Environmental Health and Safety; Non-radio Communications; *ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT; *FIBER OPTICS TRANSMISSION LINES; *MILITARY FACILITIES; AIR QUALITY; CLIMATE; CONSTRUCTION; CULTURAL RESOURCES; ECONOMICS; ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION; ENDANGERED SPECIES; FISHES; GEOLOGY; HAZARDOUS MATERIALS; HAZARDOUS WASTES; LAND USE; MILITARY TRAINING; PERMAFROST; PLANNING; RECREATION; SOILS; VEGETATION; WETLANDS; WILDLIFE; ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES; BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES; FONPA(FINDING OF NO PRACTICABLE ALTERNATIVE); FONSI(FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT); SUBSISTENCE PRACTICES; Eielson; Yukon; Beaver Creek; permafrost; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA611480; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA611480

The 354th Fighter Wing operates, maintains, and trains combat forces in close air support and interdiction missions in three operational theaters. As part of this mission Eielson AFB (Eielson) operates combat training facilities that are some of the finest in the world. Each year RED FLAG-Alaska, based at Eielson, conducts four joint training exercises with Elmendorf Air Force Base, as well as other United States Air Force units and units from allied countries. The Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation system, a sophisticated electronic warfare system, was installed on US Army range lands that comprise Eielson's range facilities. The continued efficient and reliable operation of these range facilities and training programs are of vital importance to Eielson's mission. The proposed action will result in the construction of 2.84 miles of electrical transmission and fiber optic communication lines along Beaver Creek Road, with a spur that would connect to Firing Point-17 (FP- 17), in Fort Wainwright's Yukon Training Area, Alaska. Fiber optic cable would also be collocated on the power line poles. This power and communications system will significantly enhance the operational efficiency and reliability of the range, cutting operational costs by replacing expensive diesel generators and propane gas fired power systems.