Final Environmental Assessment for the Airfield Safety Zone Vegetation Clearing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
Abstract
Federal actions that potentially involve significant impacts on the environment must be reviewed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and all other applicable laws. United States Air Force (USAF) has completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) to address the potential environmental consequences of Proposed Action and Alternatives for removal of vegetation within the flight safety zones at McGuire airfield at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey (JBMDL). The EA is attached to this Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONPA) document and is incorporated by reference. Description of Proposed Action The Proposed Action as noted in the EA is to cut and clear vegetation in the airfield safety zones in accordance with UFC 3-260-0, Airfield and Heliport Planning and Design. Safety zones have been developed by USAF to minimize aircraft/ground and aircraft/obstruction accidents. The safety zones encompass approximately 1,038 acres of land, of which approximately 175 acres will need to be maintained under this Proposed Action to meet the Base's safety mission set forth in the UFC 3-260-01. A proposed project to be implemented in the Proposed Action would include tree and shrub cutting to a height less than three inches above grade and removal of all felled material. The trees will be cut (felled) with hand-held power chainsaws or mobile felling machines. The felled trees will be trimmed and the logs dragged (skidded) by tractors, then loaded into trucks. All tree stumps will be ground to the surface. These areas shall then be maintained to prevent the establishment of woody vegetation. Implementation of the Proposed Action is required to provide and support the continuing need to ensure the safety and efficiency of the flying mission on JBMDL.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA610820
Entities
People
- Anthony Froonjian
- Denise Page
- Ellyn Brixius
- Lou Vale
- M. Murray
- Richard Prann
- Ron Prann