Alternative Energy Draft EA - NASA Visitor Center at Wallops Flight ...

Affected Environment
Chincoteague Island, at approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) northeast of Wallops Island, is the
closest incorporated town to WFF. No minority or low-income communities exist on the portion
of Chincoteague Island that lies within a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) radius of Wallops Island.
EO 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks,
encourages Federal agencies to consider the potential effects of Federal policies, programs, and
activities on children. The closest day care centers, schools, camps, nursing homes, and hospitals
are addressed within the EJIP.
3.3.4 Aviation Safety Requirements
FAA regulates structures that may pose a threat to aviation safety. A sponsor proposing any type
of construction or alteration of a structure that may affect the National Airspace System is
required under the provisions of 14 CFR 77 to notify the FAA by completing the Notice of
Proposed Construction or Alteration form (FAA Form 7460-1). The form should be sent to the
Obstruction Evaluation service.
Any temporary or permanent structure, including all appurtenances, that exceeds an overall
height of 61 meters (200 feet) above ground level or exceeds any obstruction standard contained
in 14 CFR 77, should normally be marked and/or lighted. However, an FAA aeronautical study
may reveal that the absence of marking and/or lighting will not impair aviation safety.
Conversely, the object may present such an extraordinary hazard potential that higher standards
may be recommended for increased conspicuity to ensure safety to air navigation. FAA Advisory
Circular AC 70/7460-1K provides requirements for obstruction (wind turbines are included in
the “obstruction” category) marking and lighting that (FAA, 2007).
3.3.5 Cultural Resources
The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, (P.L. 89-665; 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.) as
amended, outlines Federal policy to protect historic properties and promote historic preservation
in cooperation with other nations, Tribal governments, States, and local governments. The
NHPA established the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and designated the State
Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) as the individual responsible for administering State-level
programs. The NHPA also created the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the
Federal agency responsible for overseeing the Section 106 process and providing commentary on
Federal activities, programs, and policies that affect historic properties.
Section 106 of the NHPA and its implementing regulations (36 CFR 800) outlines the procedures
for Federal agencies to follow to take into account their actions on historic properties. The
Section 106 process applies to any Federal undertaking that has the potential to affect historic
properties, defined in the NHPA as those properties that are listing in or eligible for listing in the
NRHP. Under Section 106, Federal agencies are responsible for identifying historic properties
within the Area of Potential Effects (APE) for an undertaking, assessing the effects of the
undertaking on those historic properties, if present, and considering ways to avoid, minimize,
and mitigate any adverse effects. Because Section 106 of the NHPA is a process by which the
Federal government assesses the effects of its undertakings on historic properties, it is the
primary regulatory framework that is utilized in the NEPA process to determine impacts on
cultural resources.
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