Integrated Training Area Management EA and Final FNSI

Table 3.11 Summary of Impacts 1 to Noise.ITAM ActivityAlternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3:Short Term Long Term Short Term Long Term Short Term Long TermTRI None None None None None NoneLRAM Minor None Minor None Beneficial NoneSRA Beneficial Beneficial Beneficial Beneficial Moderate ModerateRTLA None-Minor None-Minor None-Minor None-Minor Beneficial NoneGIS Beneficial Beneficial Beneficial Beneficial Minor Minor1 Short-term impacts are defined as impacts lasting from ten days up to one year, or for the duration of a project.Cumulative ImpactsPast activities have had adverse noise impacts through construction activities and use of weapons,vehicles, and air support during training on USARAK lands. Most construction occurred on cantonmentareas, and noise impacts from training were generally considered minor (USARAK 2004).All current and planned construction activities have the potential for cumulative impacts to noise.Construction activities under the ITAM program would contribute localized, short-term and minorimpacts from increased vehicular traffic and construction equipment for the duration of projects (ten dayson average). Noise impacts from gravel blasting on Yukon Training Area may be audible off installationboundaries, but this would occur infrequently and at locations distant from residences (10 miles east ofEielson Air Force Base, and 20-30 miles east of the cities of North Pole and Fairbanks). Aerialmonitoring would contribute minor noise impacts during monitoring overflights. ITAM would also helpminimize noise impacts from military training activities.The largest noise impacts on installations result from military training activities. In comparison, theoverall impact of ITAM activities under the proposed action to noise would be none to beneficial.3.12 AIR QUALITY3.12.1 Affected EnvironmentThe Clean Air Act (CAA) authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish nationalambient air quality standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and the environment. Standards for thesix criteria air pollutants have been adopted by the State of Alaska. These include ozone, carbonmonoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, inhaleable particulate matter, and lead. Carbon monoxide(CO) and particulate matter (PM) are specific pollutants of concern for Alaskan communities. Moreinformation on air quality can be found in the Transformation of U.S. Army Alaska Final EIS (USARAK2004).Fort RichardsonWhile the city of Anchorage is subject to maintenance plan requirements for CO and the Eagle River areais in a nonattainment area for PM 10 , Fort Richardson is not within either of these areas.Fort Richardson is in attainment with the NAAQS for all the criteria air pollutants._____________________________________________________________________________________________Environmental AssessmentUnited States Army Alaska, Integrated Training Area Management ProgramManagement Plan 68