Environmental Impact Statement, Establishment of the Gandy Range Extension and Adjacent Restricted Airspace as an Area for Supersonic Flight Training, Hill Air Force Base, Utah

The action being assessed is to establish airspace in the present Gandy Range Extension Military Operations AreaAir Traffic Control Assigned Airspace Area MOAATCAAA and adjoining restricted airspace for conducting supersonic flight training. Supersonic flights will be limited to elevations above 5,000 feet above ground level. Military aircraft, primarily F-16 aircraft assigned to Hill Air Force Base, propose to fly up to 1,050 supersonic sorties each month in this airspace. The combination of the Gandy Range and the smaller adjoining restricted airspace are judged to be the preferred alternative considered in addressing the need for additional supersonic flight approved airspace. The most significant environmental impact associated with the proposed action is that due to the generation of sonic booms. The land area beneath the proposed airspace is predominantly BLM land, but does have an estimated 350 residents. Areas beneath the most active portions of the airspace should still experience A-weighted day-night sound levels of less than 65 decibels levels generally accepted as being suitable for residential purposes. Past studies predict minimal impact on animals and future plans in the area.