Search and Rescue Training Hh-60 and Hc-130 Rescue Squadrons Moody Afb, Georgia

Final ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING HH-60 AND HC-130 RESCUE SQUADRONS MOODY AFB, GEORGIA United States Air Force Headquarters Air Combat Command December 1999 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ACC Air Combat Command MAILS Multiple Aircraft Instantaneous Line Source AFB Air Force Base ML Martel Laboratories, Inc. AFI Air Force Instruction MMPA Marine Mammal Protection Act AFR Air Force Range MMS Minerals Management Service AGL above ground level MOA military operations area AP Aquatic Preserve MR_NMAP MOA and Range Noise Model AP-AR1 proposed Avon Park helicopter air refueling track MSL mean sea level AP-AR2 alternative Avon Park helicopter air refueling track MTR Military Training Route AQCR Air Quality Control Region NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards AR air refueling NAS Naval Air Station ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center NEPA National Environmental Policy Act ATC air traffic control NM nautical mile BAM Bird Avoidance Model NOAA National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration BASH bird-aircraft strike hazard NO2 nitrogen dioxide BMDO Ballistic Missile Defense Organization NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service CAA Clean Air Act NRHP National Register of Historic Places CARL Conservation and Recreational Lands NSWC Naval Surface Warfare Center CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, NWR National Wildlife Refuge Compensation, and Liability Act O3 ozone CEQ Council on Environmental Quality OCS Outer Continental Shelf CFR Code of Federal Regulations OFW Outstanding Florida Waters CMC Center for Marine Conservation OG Operations Group CO carbon monoxide OSS Operations Support Squadron CSAR combat search and rescue oz/ft2 ounces per square foot CV coefficient of variation PAA primary aircraft assigned CWA Clean Water Act PAI primary aircraft inventory dB decibel Pb lead dBA A-weighted sound level % HA percent highly annoyed dB re 1 µPa decibels reference 1 micropascal PM10 particulate matter < 10 micrometers in diameter DNL day-night average sound level PSD Prevention of Significant Deterioration DoD Department of Defense QDR Quadrennial Defense Review DOE Department of Energy RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act DOT U.S. Department of Transportation RNM Rotocraft Noise Model EA environmental assessment ROI region of influence EIAP Environmental Impact Analysis Process RQS Rescue Squadron EO Executive Order SEL sound exposure level EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SENEL single event noise exposure level ESA Endangered Species Act SHCA Strategic Habitat Conservation Area FAA Federal Aviation Administration SIP State Implementation Plan FACSFAC Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility SO2 sulfur dioxide FCZMA Florida Coastal Zone Management Act SRWMD Suwannee River Water Management District FDEP Florida Department of Environmental Protection SULMA Special Use Land Management Area FDNR Florida Department of Natural Resources STSSN Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network FGFC Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission TFW Tactical Fighter Wing FICON Federal Interagency Committee on Noise µg micro-gram FICUN Federal Interagency Committee on Urban Noise µg/m3 micro-gram per cubic meter FJSIM Fuel Jettison Simulation µPa micropascal FNAI Florida Natural Areas Inventory USACOE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact USBC U.S. Bureau of the Census FS Fighter Squadron USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FS-AR1 proposed Fort Stewart helicopter air refueling track USC United States Code FS-AR2 alternative Fort Stewart helicopter air refueling track USGS U.S. Geological Survey ggramVFR visual flight rules GDNR Georgia Department of Natural Resources VOC volatile organic compound GMFMC Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council VR visual route GNHP Georgia Natural Heritage Program WG Wing GSMFC Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission WMA Wildlife Management Area HAP hazardous air pollutant WMD Water Management District HUD U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development WTA water training area IFR instrument flight rules WTA1 proposed water training area IR instrument route WTA2 alternative water training area KIAS knots indicated air speed WTA-AR1 proposed water training area helicopter LATN Low Altitude Tactical Navigation air refueling track Lmax maximum sound level WTA-AR2 alternative water training area helicopter m meter air refueling track m3 cubic meter EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The United States Air Force (Air Force) has proposed three actions for the 41st Rescue Squadron (41 RQS) HH-60 helicopter and 71 RQS HC-130 fixed-wing aircraft stationed at Moody Air Force Base (AFB), Georgia. The first action would establish a water training area (WTA) in the Gulf of Mexico for combat search and rescue (CSAR) training. The second action would create three helicopter air refueling (AR) tracks in Georgia and Florida for training and AR operations. The third action would involve the use of an existing airfield for helicopter aircrew swaps to provide enhanced aircrew training capability in the WTA. The proposed action analyzed in this environmental assessment (EA) consists of the establishment of a WTA, the creation of three helicopter AR tracks, and the use of an existing airfield by Moody-based squadrons. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS PROCESS This EA was prepared by the U.S. Air Force, Headquarters Air Combat Command in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA, and Air Force Instruction (AFI) 32-7061. The environmental impact analysis process for the proposed action and alternatives includes the following steps: • Collect data for the existing environment and assess the potential impacts of the proposed action and alternatives; • Prepare and distribute a Draft EA for public and agency review and comment; • Prepare and distribute a Final EA, incorporating comments received on the Draft EA; and • Publish a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), if appropriate, which summarizes the results of the EA analysis. DECISION TO BE MADE AND THE DECISION-MAKER Based on the analysis documented in this EA, the Air Force will make one of the following decisions regarding the proposed establishment of a WTA, creation of three helicopter air refueling (AR) tracks, and use of an existing airfield to support CSAR training for Moody AFB aircrews: 1) choose the proposed action or one of the alternatives and sign a FONSI, allowing implementation of the proposed action or alternatives; 2) initiate the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) if it is determined that significant impacts to the affected environment would occur upon implementation of the proposed action or alternatives; or 3) select the No-Action Alternative, in which no action would be implemented. Executive Summary ES-1 Final Rescue Squadron Training EA PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE ACTION The proposed action includes the establishment of a water operations training area in the Gulf of Mexico as well as three helicopter AR tracks in Georgia and Florida for Moody AFB squadron training operations. The proposed action is necessary to maintain the CSAR capability of the 41 RQS and 71 RQS. Establishing a new WTA in the Gulf of Mexico would increase the efficiency of water-based CSAR training. To further maximize training efficiency, the 41 RQS would require an onshore landing area in close proximity to the WTA for mid-sortie crew swaps. Use of this landing site would allow aircrews to maximize training opportunities in the WTA without having to fly back to Moody AFB. In addition, the helicopter AR tracks would allow access to, and increased use of training resources that would be far superior to those currently in use by the 41 RQS and 71 RQS. The primary mission of the 41 RQS is to provide worldwide, deployable long-range combat search and rescue of downed aircrew members. Secondary missions include providing air rescue capability for Moody AFB and long-range civilian search and rescue capability for the region. These complex missions require distinct tasks and skills that involve frequent, repetitive training to maintain combat proficiency. The training areas currently in use by the 41 RQS and 71 RQS are inadequate for maintaining and enhancing skills in water operations and aerial refueling. Successful combat employment of CSAR assets requires proficiency in numerous training events. Aerial refueling is critical to achieving the extended ranges required for combat rescue missions on today’s battlefield. Water operations, whether conducted during day or night, are vital to both combat and peacetime rescue capabilities. Areas currently used to train for these missions do not meet all of the training requirements, most notably day and night water operations. PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES The proposed action analyzed in this EA would: • establish a WTA in the Gulf of Mexico for CSAR training; • create three helicopter AR tracks for training and operational helicopter aerial refueling with HC-130 aircraft; and • use an existing airfield for helicopter aircrew swaps to provide enhanced aircrew training capability in the WTA. The proposed action would not require any new facility construction or renovation, and there would be no requirement for additional aircraft or personnel for Moody-based squadrons. Alternatives to the proposed action include: • The WTA alternative, under which the Air Force would establish a WTA in a different location in the Gulf of Mexico; ES-2 Executive Summary Rescue Squadron Training

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