LATN SUMMARY

 

On June 21, 2012 the U.S. Air Force issued this press release regarding the proposed Low Altitude Tactical Navigation (LATN) aka Low Altitude Training Area (LATA) for Colorado and New Mexico:

Press release: Air Force terminates low altitude training area environmental analysis

Published: Thursday, June 21st, 2012 

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M.  -- Air Force Special Operations Command leadership concluded that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) could not be reached through the current Environmental Assessment (EA) of the 27th Special Operations Wing's Low Altitude Training Area proposal currently under review.

Leadership anticipated that the No Action Alternative presented in the LATA proposal would not meet the wing's training requirements. Subsequently, the current EA action will be terminated and the Air Force will conduct a deeper analysis on a broader scope of wing training requirements.

"After careful evaluation, it became clear that a Finding of No Significant Impact could not be reached for this EA and still accomplish all of the training critical for our special operations forces," said Brig. Gen. Michael Kingsley, AFSOC vice commander.

The decision to terminate the current EA was influenced by the limited scope of the proposal; the valuable comments received from the public, agencies and other interested parties; and the existing need to supplement portions of the Beddown Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) at Cannon AFB, said Kingsley.

The wing, however, continues to have a requirement to train aircrews in low altitude flying. Currently this is being accomplished through the use of established Military Training Routes, Special Use Airspace, Visual Flight Rules, and excess capacity from other bases. All of these methods adhere to FAA regulations and Air Force Instructions. However, they provide less than optimal training and will not be sufficient as Cannon continues to receive its full complement of aircraft, expected to be complete in 2017.

"We still need to conduct flying training missions." said Col. Buck Elton, 27 SOW commander. "The wing operates nine different types of aircraft, each with unique training requirements. We are now conducting a complete review of all of our training needs, including, but not limited to, low altitude flying."

The requirement to assess the impact of low-altitude training, which drove the LATA EA, now overlaps with the Air Force's responsibility to assess additional training needs that were not fully known or entirely addressed during the initial Cannon Beddown EIS and Record of Decision in 2007, including requirements learned from recent operations. Fiscal realities and Air Force guidance indicate a transition to a more comprehensive analysis of the alternatives available to meet Cannon's training requirements would be wise.

Currently, the 27th Special Operations Wing is refining its flying training requirements. When these requirements are fully defined, the Air Force will follow the implementing regulations prescribed by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to determine the appropriate action.

"The NEPA process helps us make well-informed environmental decisions. We intend to fully define our training requirements, and then take the most appropriate action to meet those requirements," said Elton.

These fully defined training requirements may require more detailed environmental impact analysis and may lead to preparation of an EIS. The Air Force expects to make this determination in early 2013.

"We will find the best way to achieve our critical training objectives while remaining good neighbors to the people of Colorado and New Mexico and good stewards of our environment," said Kingsley.

While this is good news for those who took the position that a serious and accurate analysis of potential impacts and appropriate mitigation measures was needed before the Air Force moved forward with the proposal, it is unfortunate this Press Release was not directly emailed to those who took the time to submit written and oral comments.  

On June 11th, 2012, (before the above press release was ever issued) I was made aware by reporter, about the Denver Post article that stated that the LATN proposal had been "postponed indefinitely".  After reading the June 5th Denver Post article (CLICK HERE), I went to the Cannon Air Force Base web site.  From the June 5th press release Cannon Air Force Base had posted on their web site,  there was nothing that said the Air Force was postponing indefinitely -- just that they were reevaluating their training needs and would make a decision on whether a more detailed study was needed in early 2013.   Here is what I wrote to that reporter on the night of June 11th, 2012: 

"From the 6/5/2012 Cannon Air Force Base announcement on its web site, the Air Force says that it is reevaluating training requirements from lessons learned in Afghanistan and from a 2007 report that appears to contribute to “emerging training requirements”  that will lead to “refining” special operations flying training requirements. 

The 6/5/2012 Cannon web site post goes on to say that the Air Force expects to finish the refinements to training requirements and then make a determination in “early 2013” about what an appropriate environmental analysis for the low-altitude training requirements might be. 

In 2010-2012, Ouray County and myself [see the LATN tab at the top of this blog] went on record asking for a detailed analysis to identify potential impacts that may exist for ranching, recreation, game and sensitive species, potential to trigger avalanche, medical and emergency response, and other community concerns.  There were shortcomings in the September 2011 Environmental Assessment document.  The 2011 EA fell short of the accuracy in baseline information about the communities and landscapes it was going to be flying over, and thus could not be trusted to identify proactive mitigation measures.

Based on the information released by the Air Force this week [June 5th], it seems that a 6-month or so step back will be helpful for them to focus on what is best for training our military.  Personally, I believe that our military should be the best trained military in the world.  I also believe that training needs to be conducted to ensure the safety of not only those in flight, but also those on the ground.  It also needs to be respectful of people’s livelihoods and the character of the landscape.  Hopefully, this action by the Air Force leads a level of analysis of future low-altitude activities equivalent to an Environmental Impact Statement.  The best odds of having potential impacts appropriately mitigated exist if the affected communities and landscapes are correctly identified and a thorough analysis based on accurate data is conducted. 

  

However, now from finding the June 21 Cannon Air Force Base press release, it does seem very clear that the Air Force took the substantial public comments into consideration and recognizes the deficiencies in the 2011 Environmental Assessment.  I really appreciate the straightforwardness of this latest press release and the Air Force's commitment to balancing training needs, environmental health, and the health, safety, and welfare of the people living under a proposed LATA.  Our democracy could not exist without those dedicated to protecting and serving the American people.

Cannon Air Force Base appears to have taken down most of the LATN/LATA materials from their web site, but the Sept. 2011 EA is still available along with the June 21st press release.   To keep up with this topic, you and I will need to keep visiting http://www.cannon.af.mil/library/environment.asp for the most up-to-date information.

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Update from Senators Udall & Bennet:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Bennet, Udall Urge Air Force to Address Concerns of Southern and Western Colorado in Flyover Plan

Relay Concerns From Local Officials and Residents

Washington, DC – Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall are urging the Air Force to address concerns raised by Southern and Western Coloradans following a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) of newly proposed low-altitude flights over Colorado.

In a letter to Terry A. Yonkers, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, Bennet and Udall requested a full and more comprehensive analysis before any plan moves forward. The draft EA, which underwent a public comment process earlier this year, states that the proposed plan would not result in significant impacts to local communities or the environment. If the draft EA is made final, a full Environmental Impact Statement would not be required.

“As you continue to analyze the comments received during the recent draft EA public comment period, we strongly encourage you to undertake a full and more comprehensive analysis that addresses these concerns and those submitted by all stakeholders in Colorado,” the Senators wrote in the letter. “Based on comments from a number of counties, private citizens, and other parties, we believe that substantive improvements to the EA must be made before a decision on this proposal is rendered.”

Because some counties affected by this proposal did not learn of the Low-Altitude Tactical Navigation (LATN) plan until after the comment period closed, Bennet and Udall are urging that these comments and others receive full consideration by the USAF and that they are taken into account before any decisions are made about moving forward.

Last year, Udall and Bennet sent a letter to the Air Force's Special Operations Command expressing their concerns about the potential impact that proposed Low-Altitude Tactical Navigation flights could have on civilian and military aviation operations and other interests in Southern Colorado and urging additional coordination to ensure that the training missions don't interfere with other military, medical, or agricultural operations.

Full text of the letter is included below.

Dear Assistant Secretary Yonkers:

Thank you for your continued assistance regarding the 27th Special Operations Wing’s proposed Low-Altitude Tactical Navigation (LATN) area in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.  We wish to express our concern with the current draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and to request that the USAF continue to work to address the concerns of officials and residents in southern and western Colorado.

As you will remember, last year we wrote to Lieutenant General Donald Wurster, Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, expressing our concern over the proposed LATN training area for MC-130 and CV-22 aircraft and ongoing efforts to ensure that USAF planning takes into account civilian comments and military aviation operations in Colorado.  We remain steadfastly committed to our Armed Forces and to ensuring the readiness of our nation’s Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen. Therefore, we also want to ensure that any proposed training area has been carefully coordinated with Army and Air Force commanders in Colorado to protect current and future aviation missions. To this point, leaders from the 27SOW have participated in coordination meetings with the 140th Fighter Wing at Buckley AFB, the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson AFB, and the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, but the outcome of those meetings remains unclear.  The letter also asked USAF to take into account wilderness areas, agriculture operations, ski areas, and the concerns of rural communities.

In August, USAF’s draft EA proposed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), essentially stating that the proposed plan would not result in significant impacts to local communities or the environment.  If the draft EA is made final, a full Environmental Impact Statement would not be required. 

We understand USAF has held at least 16 information sessions in both New Mexico and Colorado to discuss the draft EA and the new proposed training area.  Thank you for proactively engaging the local communities of southwestern Colorado and for organizing an additional session in Aspen.  Unfortunately, some counties affected by this proposal did not hear about the LATN plan until after the comment period closed and have now contacted us with their concerns.  In light of their and other southwest Colorado concerns about the draft EA, we believe USAF must take a number of issues into account before moving forward.

We understand that there are inherent environmental effects associated with any low altitude training area used by our nation’s Special Operations forces.  At the same time, we believe that several issues raised during discussions with officials and constituents have not been sufficiently addressed in the draft EA.

First, rural communities should have an understanding of what specific measures USAF will take to avoid populated areas.  The draft EA merely states that populated areas will be avoided, but gives no definition for populated areas or procedures for how the USAF will do so. It would be helpful if the Air Force would release updated maps that show which populated areas will be avoided.

Second, we are concerned that the draft EA lacks clarity on whether all Special Use Land Management Areas (SULMAs), wilderness areas, and other protected areas will be sufficiently avoided.  Table 3-11 in the draft EA does list several identified SULMAs; however, the EA does not specifically state that each will be avoided by at least 2,000 feet as required by the Department of Defense’s Area Planning Guide for North America (AP-1).

Third, we strongly encourage USAF to work with the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to improve mapping analysis of several wildlife species important to Colorado, including at-risk species and game species so crucial to southwest Colorado.  For example, the draft EA makes no mention of the Gunnison Basin sage-grouse, which is a Federal candidate species under the Endangered Species Act.

Finally, we have heard continued concerns from communities that feel general noise impacts, livestock impacts, and public safety concerns have not been adequately addressed.  Attached please find additional correspondence on these important issues and others.

As you continue to analyze the comments received during the recent draft EA public comment period, we strongly encourage you to undertake a full and more comprehensive analysis that addresses these concerns and those submitted by all stakeholders in Colorado. Based on comments from a number of counties, private citizens, and other parties, we believe that substantive improvements to the EA must be made before a decision on this proposal is rendered.

We thank you for your continued engagement on this issue and for your efforts to train our Special Operations Forces with tough, realistic low altitude training for worldwide deployment.  We look forward to continuing to work with you on this important issue.

# # #

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On October 26, 2011 the Ouray County BOCC adopted Resolution #2011-039 on LATN and sent it to the US Air Force and our Senators and Congressman.

RESOLUTION No. 2011-039:

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OURAY COUNTY, COLORADO TO PROVIDE COMMENTS ON THE CANNON AIR FORCE BASE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TO ESTABLISH A LOW ALTITUDE TACTICAL NAVIGATION AREA IN SOUTHERN COLORADO

 http://ouraycountyco.gov/BOCC_2011/2011-039%20USAF%20Cannon%20AFB%20LATN%20EA%20Comments.pdf
_____________________________________________________________________________
September 7, 2011 Update: http://www.cannon.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123271436

Cannon Air Force Base LATN DRAFT EA Press Release (Sept. 7, 2011): 
Telluride Daily Planet Article: Proposed LATN update: New maps to come out of proposed flyovers

New maps to come out of proposed flyovers

Southwest Colo. to see Air Force traffic

By Matthew Beaudin

Editor, Telluride Daily Planet (www.telluridenews.com)

September 5, 2011 6:11 AM CDT

The U.S. Air Force has agreed to leave the Eastern Plains of Colorado off its proposed low-altitude training flights, but plans to use the airspace over southwestern Colorado are still intact.

Congressman Scott Tipton said the Air Force has redrawn its maps for proposed low-altitude training flights over Colorado and that those new routes will be published sometime this week.

Tipton said the maps confirm what the military told him earlier this summer — that the flights would occur over western Colorado, not the Eastern Plains, where ranchers had voiced concerns over the Army’s proposed expansion of its Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in southeastern Colorado.

The Air Force has proposed low-flying training flights from Grand Junction and Aspen in western Colorado to Albuquerque. It says the terrain is similar to what pilots encounter in Afghanistan. The concern, though, has come from far — Washington — and near, in Telluride.

Tipton’s office did not return a call for comment late last week. The flights have spawned concerns across the region, with opponents claiming the flights would be upsetting to the natural environment. In one case, the Town of Telluride sent a letter that said the operations “in our mountain setting may be potentially unsettling to our visitors and residents who come here to enjoy our tranquil mountain environment.”

Former Colorado Congressman John Salazar and others sent letters to the USAF asking for more meetings.

The idea is that the Low Altitude Tactical Navigation training could better prepare Air Force pilots for combat. It isn’t clear how close the planes would fly to Telluride, though the plan was enough to draw the concern of environmental groups in the Southwest, notably Sheep Mountain Alliance and Durango’s San Juan Citizen Alliance.

The Air Force has said the terrain was selected due to the varied topography and weather, proximity to Cannon [Air Force Base] and lack of large civilian populations.”

The planes the Air Force would fly in the area are large aircraft. The CV-22 Osprey (a vertical takeoff plane designed for exfiltration and special-forces supply) and the C-130 Hercules (an enormous aircraft used to air-drop troops and equipment into hostile areas) were named in the press release from the Air Force as those the service would fly.

FAA and Air Force regulations require aircraft utilizing the LATN area to avoid airfields, towns, noise-sensitive areas and wilderness areas by prescribed vertical and/or horizontal distances.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report

____________________________________________________________________

Low-Altitude Technical Navigation Public Comment Period Extended to November 15 2010

_____________________________________________________________________________

Ouray County BOCC's Letter and Comments, sent November 9, 2010 -- Click here to view the letter

_____________________________________________________________________________

Comments or concerns about the LATN proposal can be emailed to the Air Force until November 15, 2010.  If you are sending a comment, please also copy the regional staff of Congressman Salazar, Senator Bennett, and Senator Udall, as well as the Ouray County BOCC.  This way we can help make sure the Air Force is responsive to comments and concerns, and includes appropriate elements in its Environmental Assessment (EA).

I am happy to email US Air Force documents related to this proposal.  Please make a request to lpadgett@ouraycountyco.gov

NOTES FROM THE 10-18-2010 PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING IN MONTROSE:

I attended the October 18, 2010 public meeting with Air Force personnel in Montrose.  Below are some key concerns and how they were addressed by Air Force during the meeting.

During the meeting many of the Questions related Ouray County concerns were addressed: 

• What does the Air Force/FAA consider to define a municipality? 

 A:  A "congested" area.  The EA will determine the buffer

• What is a "noise-sensitive area"?;

A:  Will be determined by Environmental Assessment

• What is a "local" airfield?;

A:  Montrose & Telluride Municipal Airports are included

• Based on info on the Cannon Air Force Base web site, the EA will address potential impacts to Threatened and Endangered Species -- but because of our region's economy based on agriculture, outdoor recreational and wildland activities and tourism -- will the EA examine socioeconomic impacts, impacts to domestic livestock (horses, cattle, etc.) and big game species impacts (deer, elk, calving),?

A:  EA will determine impacts and if an EIS is necessary

• What will be impacts to local air traffic such as crop dusters up north, mountain rescue or other medical air traffic, or wildfire fighting air traffic?

A:  Air Force EA will be examining flow of information and who to contact.  Air Force will monitor flight plan info.  I asked for two-way communication tree to be established so that the Air Force is aware as incidents are evolving.

• Air Force did not directly say whether weapons will be on aircraft.  They have said "No weapons would be employed during training in the LATN." 

A:  No flares etc. will be deployed.  When asked later if they are on the aircraft, and how will that increase the fuels available for explosion in a mishap--they said it was a good question.

• What is the frequency of mishaps during LATN sorties? 

A:  Air Force has "good safety record" (implied better than Navy).

• What will be impacts to or how will mountain rescue and medical operations utilizing helicopters  coordinate with LATN operations?  Who will defer to whom?

A:  EA will help identify who to contact and how.  I stressed need for two-way communication.

• The Air Force says that a single point will not be flown over twice in one night.  However, how close are the flight lines in the proposed grid and will the same point be impacted by noise several times in a night.  How loud will that noise be?  How far does the noise tend to travel from the line being flown?

A:  EA will examine noise impacts.  Flight lines may be 3 to 5 miles apart.  Unknown if noise from one line will be heard from another.  A member of the public suggested going to the end of the Montrose runways and listening to jets land and take off.  Colonel Smith nodded when it was suggested that could be a similar level of noise overhead.  Public suggested they gather empirical evidence to know if aircraft noise would be amplified or diminished in canyons or valleys and our mountain topography.  Air Force contractor suggested it is to Air Force's advantage to minimize noise for operations in combat.

• The Air Force has not released what the grid of flight lines looks like.

A:  EA will determine.  Anticipate 3 to 5 miles between flight lines.

• How will the LATN affect the ability to conduct controlled burns?

A:  Public Lands agencies have been contacted.  EA will tell them how to communicate and avoid. 

• Will EA examine potential for aircraft to trigger avalanches and known avalanche hazard areas?

A: Good question.  Public should include this in comments to Air Force and point the Air Force to the Center for Snow and Avalanche studies in Silverton.

• Will Wilderness Study Areas be avoided/buffered like Wilderness Areas?

A: Did not ask. 

• Colonel Smith was advised that legislation to expand the Mount Sneffels Wilderness (i.e. the San Juan Wilderness bill) had been introduced in the House and Senate, and that the Air Force should make sure the EA considered that version of the wilderness boundaries as well as what they currently have from DOI.

A: Thanks.

• Will EA examine potential for aircraft to trigger avalanches and known avalanche hazard areas?

A: Good question.  Public should include this in comments to Air Force and point the Air Force to the Center for Snow and Avalanche studies in Silverton.

• Additional notes:  The EA process is contracted to SAIC (http://www.saic.com/).  The process is expected to take 12 months.  The Air Force desires for the EA to "deconflict" potential concerns and environmental impacts, making an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) unnecessary.  Each LATN is specific to specified aircraft and a specified Wing of the Air Force.

Citizens who wish to give comments or input to the Air Force should do the following:

1.  Review available materials at the Cannon AFB website at http://www.cannon.af.mil/.  I will email the information I have compiled upon request (lpadgett@ouraycountyco.gov).

2.  Email comments to 27SOWpublicaffairs@cannon.af.mil by November 15, 2010.

3.  Copy or forward the email to the BOCC, and regional staff of Congressman Salazar, Senator Bennet, and Senator Udall:  lpadgett@ouraycountyco.gov, monica_piergrossi@bennet.senate.gov, jerry_otero@markudall.senate.gov, and John.Whitney@mail.house.gov.

BACKGROUND

In September the Cannon AFB Public Affairs Office released announcements about a proposed expansion of Low-Altitude Training Navigation exercises proposed for Southern Colorado and New Mexico. The stated objective would be low-level night-time training in high-altitude mountainous terrain, proximal to Cannon AFB where aircrews are challenged to keep the aircraft on the proper time schedule and course while avoiding simulated threats. This SOF mobility capability is a unique, national asset and proficiency at these skills are required for successful operations in ongoing global conflicts.

The proposed LATN area would be used by the 27th Special Operations Wing (27 SOW), based at Cannon AFB to perform/accomplish Special Operations Forces (SOF) mobility training requirements consisting of:

• Approximately 3 sorties (training flights) per day; 688 annually within the mapped area;
• Majority of flights at nighttime after dusk;
• Approx. 95%  of flights Mon-Friday;
• 3 hours of each sortie would be spent flying in LATN area;
•  hours of each sortie would be spent at Melrose Range or "a local airfield";
• Aircraft (Osprey) would fly within 200 feet above-ground-level (AGL);
• Aircraft would travel at speeds below 250 nautical miles per hour (288 statute miles per hour) or less and are precluded from flying over the same point more than once per day;
• FAA & Air Force Regulations require avoidance of airfields, "municipalities", noise sensitive areas, and wilderness areas by some "prescribed" vertical and/or horizontal buffer;
• Aircrews flying in the LATN area would comply with all FAA flight rules, and would use aircraft lighting and communications systems;
• Map of proposed LATN (all alternatives):

 Announced Air Force Proposed Alternatives: 

A.  Entire proposed area

B.   Mountainous areas of New Mexico and Colorado only.  Air Force states that this would reduce land in training area so crews would fly same routes more frequently and inclement weather would be harder to avoid, thus precluding some sorties.

C.  Use existing Military Training Routes (MTRs) which belong to the 27th Special Operations Wing or 58 SOW based at Kirtland AFB near Albuquerque.  Existing 27 SOW MTRs are "limited in length" and are over flatter terrain.  Existing 58 SOW MTRs meet requirements for both types of Osprey (C-130 & CV-22) but have limited number of routes which are already "heavily" used by the 58 SOW.  The no-action alternative would not allow for development of "unique skills obtained by training in varied mountainous terrain and weather."

Just ahead of the original October 4, 2010 Public Comment Deadline, the Air Force put out a Press Release on September 28th stating that the Air Force is actually in "the the very preliminary stages of the Environmental Assessment process."  The initial public scoping period has now been extended to November 15, 2010.  After the public scoping period an Environmental Assessment will be performed.  However in an FAQ document the Air Force does not specify that some of our local issues will actually be within the scope of the EA. 


I believe there are several important questions that Ouray County citizens need to have answered:

• What does the Air Force/FAA consider to define a municipality? 
• What is a "noise-sensitive area"?;
• What is a "local" airfield?;
• What will be impacts to not just Threatened and Endangered Species;
• What will be impacts to domestic livestock (horses, cattle, etc.) and big game species (deer, elk, etc.);
• What will be impacts to crop dusters up north, medical and other local air traffic;
• What will be socio-economic impacts to our local and regional recreational economy that relies on outside tourism dollars brought in by those seeking quiet refuge and outdoor pursuits in largely wild and unspoiled places such as the San Juan Mountain counties;
• Air Force did not directly say whether weapons will be on aircraft.  They have said "No weapons would be employed during training in the LATN." 
• What is the frequency of mishaps during LATN sorties?
• What will be impacts to or how will mountain rescue and medical operations utilizing helicopters  coordinate with LATN operations?  Who will defer to whom?
• The Air Force says that a single point will not be flown over twice in one night.  However, how close are the flight lines in the proposed grid and will the same point be impacted by noise several times in a night.  How loud will that noise be?  How far does the noise tend to travel from the line being flown?
• The Air Force has not released what the grid of flight lines looks like.
• How will this affect the ability to conduct controlled burns?
• Will proposed new Wilderness Boundaries of the San Juan Wilderness bill be considered in the EA?
• Is there potential for low altitude flights to trigger avalanches?  If so, how will back country users be notified of risks?

I am not aware of any local government trying to shut down the LATN.  On behalf of citizens and local governments which written to Colorado Congressional Represenatives and Senators, and to the Air Force, our Congressional Representatives and Senators have signed on to letters asking that the scoping process be public and extended for comments.    On October 8, Congressman Salazar and other members of Colorado's Congressional Delegation submitted a letter to the Air Force requesting more information and opportunities for constituents to give input.  The final paragraph reads:

"Our constituents are proud to do their part to contribute to the defense of our nation.  Generations of Coloradoans have answered the call of duty with honor and served with distinction.  The residents of our state want an opportunity to share their concerns before decisions are finalized so that a balance can be reached that benefits both civilian and military use of the airspace.  We continue to lend our support to DOD operations in our state and anticipate reaching a solution that promotes national defense operations while maintaining continuity of existing services and civilian operations."

Sources of More Information:

Cannon AFB website at http://www.cannon.af.mil/

Mail comments to: Cannon AFB Public Affairs Office at 110 E Sextant Ave, Suite 1150, Cannon AFB NM 88103; or sent via email to 27SOWpublicaffairs@cannon.af.mil by November 15, 2010.

General Information about EAs (from the Air Force FAQ sheet):

1. What is an Environmental Assessment (EA)?  An EA is a document that a Federal agency must prepare pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act to determine whether a federal action would significantly affect the environment and thus require a more detailed environmental impact statement.  Once the environmental assessment is complete, the federal agency will either determine that an Environmental Impact Statement is required because the federal action has the potential to significantly impact the environment or will issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

2. What environmental resources will be analyzed in the EA?  The Low Altitude Tactical Navigation (LATN) EA will analyze the following resource areas to determine the potential environmental consequences of the Air Force’s proposal to establish a LATN area for C-130 and CV-22 Osprey aircrews:
• Airspace Operations: Airspace Management, Noise, Air Quality, and Flight Safety;

• Biological Resources:  Terrestrial, Wetland, and Freshwater Aquatic Communities, Threatened and Endangered, and Special Status Species;

• Cultural Resources:  Archaeological, Native American, and Traditional Resources; and,

• Human Resources: Land Use, Recreation, Visual Resources, and Environmental Justice

3. When will the Draft EA be available to the public? Air Force anticipates the Draft EA will be available in Fall 2011.   Public can access it from their web site.

Public Scoping Meeting Schedule:
Oct. 18,2010, 11-1 p.m., Montrose County Fairgrounds, 1001 N. 2nd St., Montrose, Colo., 81401

Oct. 18,2010,  6-8 p.m., Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave, Durango, Colo., 81301

Oct. 19,2010,  Noon-2 p.m., Alamosa Family Rec Center, 2222 Old Sanford Rd., Alamosa, Colo., 81101

Oct. 19,2010,  6-8 p.m., Central High School Auditorium, 216 E. Orman Ave., Pueblo, Co., 81004