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Final Environmental Impact Statement published for Divert Activities, Exercises Initiative in Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)

  • Published
  • Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

The U.S. Air Force has published a notice in the Federal Register announcing public release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Divert Activities and Exercises Initiative, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands on September 26, 2016.

The purpose of this initiative is to establish additional divert options to support training activities and increase regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities, while ensuring the ability to meet mission requirements in the event access to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, or other western Pacific locations is limited or unavailable. Under this action, the U.S. Air Force proposes to construct facilities and infrastructure at an existing airport or airports to support a combination of cargo, tanker, and similar aircraft and associated support personnel.

Publication of the Final EIS is the third of four steps in the formal EIS process and reflects public input and comments received on the Revised Draft EIS, which was released for public review in October 2015. As stated in the Final EIS and officially announced in February 2016, the U.S. Air Force selected Tinian as the preferred alternative. In accordance with federal regulations that guide the EIS process (40 CFR 1500-1508), the U.S. Air Force will issue a Record of Decision on whether and how to implement the Proposed Action no sooner than 30 days after release of the Final EIS.  A Notice of Availability for the Record of Decision will be published in the Federal Register and local newspapers.

The modified Tinian-only alternative was selected as the preferred alternative. Saipan and the Hybrid options remain reasonable alternatives. The EIS analyzes many factors for each alternative, including quality of life, noise, cultural and historical interests, safety, potential effect on natural and coastal resources, land use, effect on existing air traffic, effect on tourism, and recreation.

Upon announcing the selection of Tinian as the U.S. Air Force’s preferred alternative in February, 2016, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James said, “We believe this initiative will provide critical strategic operational and exercise capabilities for U.S. forces and provide economic benefits to the local community.”

Electronic copies of the Final EIS are available at www.PACAFDivertMarianasEIS.com and printed copies can be reviewed at the following locations:

Saipan: Saipan Office of the Mayor; Joeten‐Kiyu Public Library

Tinian: Tinian Office of the Mayor; Tinian Public Library

For more information, contact PACAF Public Affairs at 808-448-3224.