[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 108 (Monday, June 5, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 35618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13950]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Notice of Intent To Perform an Environmental Analysis for the 
Proposed Beddown of the Global Hawk Remote Operated Aircraft System

    The United States Air Force will conduct an environmental analysis 
to determine the potential environmental impacts of bedding down the 
unmanned aerial vehicle, Global Hawk, at a main operating base (MOB). 
This proposal involves locating up to 60 high altitude endurance 
unmanned aerial vehicles, associated equipment and up to approximately 
800 personnel at an Air Force base within the continental United 
States. The beddown will start with an initial cadre of four to six 
aircraft the first year, building to the total number with a delivery 
schedule of two to four aircraft per year. The proposal includes 
construction of support facilities and use of airspace in the local 
region. The Federal Aviation Administration has been invited to 
participate as a cooperating agency in this environmental analysis.
    Five Air Force bases are being considered as potential beddown 
locations: (1) Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California, (2) Beale AFB, 
California; (3) Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; (4) Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota; 
and (5) Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. In addition, the Air Force will 
analyze the no-action alternative, which considers potential 
environmental impacts should the Air Force decide not to beddown the 
Global Hawk System.
    The Air Force will conduct a series of scoping meetings to solicit 
public input concerning the proposal. The scoping process will help 
identify issues to be addressed in the environmental analysis. In 
addition to the comments received at the scoping meetings, written 
comments on the scope of the environmental analysis will be accepted by 
the Air Force at the address below through June 30, 2000. The Air Force 
will accept appropriate comments at any time during the environmental 
analysis process.
    If during the preparation of the environmental analysis, it is 
determined that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is warranted, 
comments received during this scoping period will be considered in the 
EIS preparation.
    Scoping meetings will be held at the following locations:
    Wright Patterson AFB, OH: June 19, 6:00 p.m. Fairborn High School, 
900 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, Fairborn, OH 45324, Cafeteria
    Tinker AFB, OK: June 21, 6:00 p.m., Huey Long Community Center, 
4505 SE 15th St., Del City, Oklahoma, Community Hall
    Ellsworth AFB, SD: June 23, 6:00 p.m., Ramokota Inn and Conference 
Center, 2111 N. LaCrosse St., Rapid City, South Dakota, Sylvan Room
    Edwards AFB, CA: June 26, 6:00 p.m., Best Western, Antelope Valley 
Inn, 44055 N. Sierra Hwy, Lancaster, CA 93534, Convention Center, East 
Wing
    Beale AFB, CA: June 27, 6:00 p.m., Sutter Count Library, 750 Forbes 
Avenue, Yuba City, CA 95991, the Meeting Room.
    Please direct any written comments or requests for information to 
Ms. Sheryl Parker, HQ ACC/CEVP, 129 Andrews St., Suite 102, Langley 
AFB, VA 23665-2769, (757) 764-9334.

Janet A. Long,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-13950 Filed 6-2-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-05-U