SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the USAF’s Environmental Impact Analysis Process to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with the implementation of the Proposed Action for Construction of a Wildlife Exclusion Fence at Scott Air Force Base (AFB) in St. Clair County, Illinois. The Proposed Action would protect the airfield and general flight operations areas of Scott AFB by reducing wildlife incursions into those areas, reducing the risk of aircraft/animal collisions, aircraft damage, and loss of life. Silver Creek serves as the northeastern border of the base. The current perimeter fence is only 6 feet high and inadequate for prevention of wildlife access to the airfield. The wildlife exclusion fence is needed to deter wildlife from coming on to the airfield.
The EA analyzes the Proposed Action’s potential to affect the following resource areas: Airspace, Air Quality, Noise/Acoustic Environment, Cultural Resources, Biological/Natural Resources, Water Resources, Hazardous Materials and Waste, Land Use, Infrastructure/Utilities, Earth Resources, Socioeconomics, Environmental Justice, Safety and Occupational Health, and other resource areas as appropriate. The EA compares the existing baseline conditions to conditions resulting from the Proposed Action alternatives and a No Action Alternative. If the analysis determines that the Proposed Action would result in adverse impacts to resources, the project design could be reevaluated to identify design modifications that could be implemented to minimize and/or avoid impacts. If impacts were to occur, the USAF would acquire the necessary permits and implement mitigation measures.
The USAF is seeking public comment on the proposed project in the NEPA process to identify any concerns regarding the project’s potential impacts. The USAF has coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Historic Preservation Office, and local governments and agencies for their input on the Proposed Action. The full draft EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)/Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONPA) have been made available for public review and comment. Copies of the draft EA and FONSI/FONPA are also available for review at the following locations:
Belleville Public Library
121 East Washington Street
Belleville, IL 62220
Scott Air Force Base Library
510 Ward Drive
Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225
The draft EA is also available upon request by contacting the 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office by email at 375AMW.PA.org@us.af.mil or by phone at 618 256-4241. Written comments will be accepted for 30 days from the publication of this notice. Submit written comments by email to 375AMW.PA.org@us.af.mil or by mail to the following address:
373 AMW Public Affairs Office
901 South Drive, Building 700
Scott AFB, IL, 62225