Accession Number:

ADA638035

Title:

Environmental Assessment, Establishing a Drop Zone at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center in Socorro, New Mexico and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

NEW MEXICO TECH SOCORRO ENERGETIC MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TESTING CENTER

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

2007-11-07

Pagination or Media Count:

90.0

Abstract:

This Final Environmental Assessment EA reviews the environmental impacts associated with the establishment and use of a Drop Zone at the EMRTC Field Lab in Socorro, New Mexico. The drop zone will allow C-130 or similar aircraft to complete training and research missions, including dropping personnel and cargo bundles from the aircraft at low elevations. This assessment fulfills requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act NEPA. This analysis includes consideration of two alternatives. First, Alternative I - Establish and use a Drop Zone for C-130 or similar aircraft for training and research objectives at New Mexico Tech, Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center Field Lab in Socorro, New Mexico. The Drop Zone includes approximately 640 acres I square mile in the northwest portion of the EMRTC Field Lab, located at Section 33, Township 2 South, Range 2 West. The second alternative considered is the No Action Alternative, as required by law. The No Action Alternative would not establish a drop zone at EMRTC. The 58th SOW would continue to use other established drop zones including Roswell, New Mexico, resulting in higher costs associated with drop zone activities much greater distances from Kirtland Air Force Base. Other drop zone sites have been analyzed in previous environmental assessments and therefore were not considered in this analysis. These include Roswell Airport, Isleta Drop Zone and the Centerfire Drop Zones. The analysis of effects contained in the Final Environmental Assessment considered both the context and intensi1y of the action in determining its significance as outlined in 40 DFR 1508.27. Based upon the analysis in the EA, it is determined that the proposed action will not significantly affect the human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act. Consequently, the proposed action does not require the preparation of an Environmental lmpact Statement.

Descriptors:

• *AIR DROP OPERATIONS
• *ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
• CARGO AIRCRAFT
• HELICOPTERS
• JOB TRAINING
• MILITARY TRAINING
• PARACHUTE JUMPING
• RANGES(FACILITIES)
• SEARCH AND RESCUE

Subject Categories:

• Logistics, Military Facilities and Supplies
• Environmental Health and Safety

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE