SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected Environment3.2.6.2 Donnelly Training AreaThe roadways serving the DTA and the Delta Junction areas are the Richardson and Alaska Highwaysand the Allen Army Airfield. Both two-lane highways are maintained year-round. In addition, a maneuvercorridor connecting the southern corner of Tanana Flats Training Area (TFTA) and the northerncorner of DTA has been established for training purposes (Nakata 2001).Deployment of troops for training between FRA and the DTA requires use of the Glenn and RichardsonHighways for convoys. Battalion- and brigade-sized training exercises on DTA currently occurapproximately four or five times per year. DTA is not considered a USARAK property that has significanttraffic issues.Current convoy frequency and size is five company- or battalion-sized deployments per year to DTA.There are minimal traffic impacts associated with current deployment.3.2.7 SOCIOECONOMICS, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, AND PROTECTION OFCHILDREN3.2.7.1 Fort RichardsonFRA is located 9 miles east of Anchorage. The ROI for socioeconomics for FRA is the Anchorageregion. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough and a few nearby communities within the Kenai PeninsulaBorough are also near FRA.PopulationIn 2000, Anchorage had a total population of 260,283 (Alaska State Department of Community andEconomic Development 2002). This represented more than 40 percent the population of the State ofAlaska. Anchorage demographics are generally similar to the statewide averages; however, Anchoragehas a lower proportion of Alaska Native and higher proportion of Caucasian population.Economy, Employment, and IncomeIn 2000, the total payroll for statewide Army operations at FWA, DTA, and FRA is about$356.2 million, while the non-payroll expenditures account for about $294.5 million. Together, thesetotal $650.7 million in economic activity for the State of Alaska.Uniformed military at FRA and Elmendorf AFB total approximately 8,500 employees and comprisealmost 24 percent of the total government work force. Including uniformed military, total industryemployment is about 140,000.A military expenditure survey was conducted for FRA personnel in 2002. The survey results indicatedthat FRA personnel spend 68 percent of their income off-post in the local economy. The proportionof off-post expenditures in the local economy has grown substantially during the years of militarypresence in Alaska along with the maturation of the local economies. The expenditure survey indicatesthat a high proportion of the military dollar is spent in the local economy.In the Municipality of Anchorage, the average monthly earnings across all job classifications in theAnchorage Municipality are $3,037. Average monthly earnings for personnel on FRA are $3,550,about 10 percent higher. Anchorage area’s income and poverty statistics are significantly better thanthe statewide average. Median household income is slightly above the national average, and povertyis significantly below the national average.February 2008 3–115 2/25th SBCT Final EIS