Final Environmental Impact Statement for Development and Implementation of Range-Wide Mission and Major Capabilities at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico Volume 1 NOVEMBER 2009 This page intentionally left blank Final EIS for Development and Implementation of Range-Wide Mission and Major Capabilities at WSMR November 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS S. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................ S-1 S.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ S-1 S.1.1 Proposed Action ........................................................................................................ S-1 S.2 WSMR Mission and Geographic Setting ............................................................................... S-2 S.3 Alternatives ............................................................................................................................ S-3 S.3.1 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................... S-3 S.3.2 Alternative 1, Implement Land Use Changes and Enhanced Test Capabilities ................................................................................................................ S-8 S.3.3 Alternative 2, Implement Alternative 1 Plus Military Unit Stationing and Training Capability.................................................................................................... S-9 S.3.3.1 Implementation of Heavy Brigade Combat Team or Comparable Unit Stationing .......................................................................................... S-9 S.3.3.2 Training within the Southeast Multi-Use Area ....................................... S-10 S.3.4 Measures Incorporated in the Proposed Action to Reduce Adverse Impacts .......... S-12 S.3.5 Alternatives Considered but Not Carried Forward for Full Analysis ...................... S-15 S.3.6 Preferred Alternative and Environmentally Preferred Alternative .......................... S-15 S.4 Public Outreach .................................................................................................................... S-16 S.4.1 Scoping .................................................................................................................... S-16 S.4.2 Public Hearing on the Draft EIS .............................................................................. S-16 S.5 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................................. S-16 S.5.1 Alternative 1, Implement Land Use Changes and Enhanced Test Capabilities .............................................................................................................. S-17 S.5.2 Alternative 2, Implement Alternative 1 Plus Military Unit Stationing and Training Capability.................................................................................................. S-17 S.5.3 Impact and Potential Mitigation Summary Tables .................................................. S-18 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION ............................................................................1-1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Background ............................................................................................................................ 1-2 1.2.1 WSMR Mission and Geographical Setting ............................................................... 1-2 1.2.2 WSMR Mission ......................................................................................................... 1-8 1.3 Overview of the Proposed Action ........................................................................................ 1-10 1.4 Purpose of the Proposed Action ........................................................................................... 1-11 1.5 Need for the Proposed Action .............................................................................................. 1-11 1.5.1 Range Mission Requirements and Capabilities ....................................................... 1-11 1.5.1.1 Changes in Mission Requirements .......................................................... 1-11 1.5.1.2 Land Use and Airspace Changes............................................................. 1-12 1.5.1.3 Changes in Range Activities ................................................................... 1-12 1.5.1.4 Range Facility and Infrastructure Improvements .................................... 1-13 1.5.2 Implementation of Enhanced Test Capabilities ....................................................... 1-13 1.5.3 Implementation of Stationing and training for a Large Military Unit ..................... 1-13 1.5.3.1 Personnel Changes .................................................................................. 1-14 1.5.3.2 Development of Facilities and Infrastructure .......................................... 1-14 1.5.3.3 Heavy Brigade Combat Team Operations and Training ......................... 1-14 1.6 Decisions to be Made ........................................................................................................... 1-14 1.7 National Environmental Policy Act and Tiering Process ..................................................... 1-16 1.7.1 National Environmental Policy Act ........................................................................ 1-16 1.7.1.1 National Environmental Policy Act Methodology .................................. 1-16 Table of Contents page i Final EIS for Development and Implementation of Range-Wide Mission and Major Capabilities at WSMR November 2009 1.7.1.2 Tiering Process ........................................................................................ 1-17 1.8 Scope of the Environmental Impact Statment ...................................................................... 1-18 1.9 Public Involvement ............................................................................................................... 1-21 1.9.1 Scoping .................................................................................................................... 1-21 1.9.2 Public Hearings on the Draft EIS ............................................................................ 1-22 1.9.3 Native american consultation .................................................................................. 1-23 1.10 Regulatory and Management Framework ............................................................................ 1-23 1.10.1 Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................ 1-23 1.10.2 Management Framework ......................................................................................... 1-23 1.10.2.1 Real Property Master Plan ...................................................................... 1-24 1.10.2.2 Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan ...................................... 1-24 1.10.2.3 Integrated Cultural Resource Management Plan ..................................... 1-24 1.10.2.4 Integrated Training Area Management ................................................... 1-25 1.10.2.5 Other Environmental Compliance Plans ................................................. 1-25 1.11 Environmental Impact Statement Organization ................................................................... 1-25 1.12 Review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement ........................................................ 1-26 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ..................................................2-1 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................................ 2-2 2.2.1 Range Capabilities and Use ....................................................................................... 2-2 2.2.1.1 Range Land Use ........................................................................................ 2-2 2.2.1.2 Range Activities and Level of Use............................................................ 2-5 2.2.1.3 Infrastructure and Facilities Construction ............................................... 2-13 2.2.1.4 Specialized Areas .................................................................................... 2-14 2.2.2 Equipment and Vehicles .......................................................................................... 2-14 2.2.3 Personnel ................................................................................................................. 2-16 2.3 Alternative 1, Implement Land Use Changes and Enhanced Test Capabilities (Preferred Alternative) ......................................................................................................... 2-16 2.3.1 Range Capabilities and Use ..................................................................................... 2-17 2.3.1.1 Range Land Use ...................................................................................... 2-17 2.3.1.2 Range Activities and Level of Use.......................................................... 2-18 2.3.1.3 Infrastructure and Facilities Construction ..............................................