SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 5 – Environmental Consequences5.3.8.1 Impacts from Cantonment ConstructionLess Than Significant ImpactsPopulation. Implementation of Alternative B would result in a slight increase in population becauseof additional Soldiers stationed at FRA, resulting in a less than 1 percent change to the totalpopulation. This change would be within the historic RTV range for the ROI and would be less thansignificant.Economy. A number of construction projects would occur at FRA, resulting in a short-term increasein business sales volume. This change would be within the historic RTV range for the ROI and wouldbe less than significant.Employment. There would be a slight increase in employment as a result of both military employmentand construction employment. The increase in employment would be within the historic RTV rangesfor the RIO and would be less than significant.Income. Implementing this alternative would result in a slight increase in income for the ROI. Thischange would be within the historic RTV range for the ROI and would be less than significant.Housing. The increase in military population at FRA would cause a slight increase in the demand forhousing. The existing housing areas on FRA include 1,435 units and on-post housing constructionand renovation is planned to occur through 2021. If on-post cannot meet the demand for housingunder this alternative, the Anchorage rental market is expected to absorb the additional housingdemand easily. The available housing stock near FRA would accommodate the demand for housingassociated with this alternative. Impacts to the availability and cost of housing would be less thansignificant.Schools. A small increase in enrollment would occur for the schools servicing FRA as a result of theadditional personnel stationed at FRA. Long-term adverse effects on schools serving FRA areexpected. The impacts associated with enrollment of additional students would vary with the school,but impacts are expected to be less than significant.Environmental Justice. Additional construction would occur at FRA. As described in Section 3.3.7,the 2000 Census data indicated that the population near FRA (Matanuska-Susitna Borough) had alower percentage of minorities and a slightly higher percentage of people living below the povertylevel compared to Anchorage. No minority or low-income populations would be displaced by theproposed new construction, but indirect effects, such as increased noise, fugitive dust, or traffic fromconstruction, could have indirect adverse effects on off-post properties. The areas that would beaffected are primarily uninhabited federal lands. Under implementation of this alternative, therewould be no disproportionate impacts to low-income or minority populations within the ROI.Protection of Children. No construction projects would take place near schools, day care facilities, orother areas with large populations of children; however, indirect effects, such as increased noise,fugitive dust, or traffic from construction, could have indirect adverse effects on nearby schools orresidences. Increased noise and fugitive dust associated with proposed construction activities wouldbe localized and temporary. No adverse effects to the protection of children are expected under thisalternative. No cantonment construction would occur on DTA; therefore, impact analysis is notapplicable.February 2008 5-96 2/25th SBCT Final EIS