Environmental Assessment for the Construction of a Power and Fiber Optic System for Facilities in the Yukon Training Area, Alaska-Phase 2

• Main Authors: Conn, Sarah C, Koenen, Brent, Nolke, James, Slater, Tom, Smith, Jenny, Harvard, Bill, Bergey, Mike, Martin, Phil
• Other Authors: ALASKA CALEDONIA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ESTER
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2004
• Subjects: Electric Power Production and Distribution; Logistics; Military Facilities and Supplies; Fiber Optics and Integrated Optics; Environmental Health and Safety; *AIR FORCE FACILITIES; *ELECTRIC POWER; *ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT; *FIBER OPTICS; AIR QUALITY; CLIMATE; CONSTRUCTION; CULTURAL RESOURCES; ENDANGERED SPECIES; FISHES; GEOLOGY; GROUND WATER; PERMAFROST; SOILS; SURFACE WATERS; TRANSMISSION LINES; VEGETATION; WETLANDS; WILDLIFE; BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES; FONPA(FINDING OF NO PRACTICABLE ALTERNATIVE); FONSI(FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT); RECREATIONAL RESOURCES; SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS; Arctic; Eielson; Yukon; permafrost; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA611512; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA611512

The 354th Fighter Wing (FW) operates, maintains, and trains combat forces in close air support and interdiction missions in support of the war plans in three operational theaters. The 354 FW s mission is to train and equip personnel for close air support of ground troops in an arctic environment. The range combat training facilities operated by Eielson Air Force Base (Eielson) are some of the finest in the world. Each year the 353rd Combat Training Squadron, based at Eielson, conducts four joint training exercises with Elmendorf Air Force Base, as well as other US Air Force (USAF) units and units from allied countries. The Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) system was installed on US Army range lands that comprise Eielson s range facilities. The continued efficient and reliable operation of this range facility and training program is of vital importance to Eielson s mission. The proposed action will result in the construction of approximately 25.7 miles of electrical transmission and fiber optic communication lines in various locations within Fort Wainwright s Yukon Training Area (YTA), Alaska. The fiber optic cable would be collocated on the power line poles, with the point of origin at the Cope Thunder range operations facility on Flightline Avenue. This power and communications system will significantly enhance the operational efficiency and reliability of the range, as well as cut operational costs by replacing expensive constant run diesel generators and propane gas fired power systems.