National Environmental Policy Act Center

In September 2010, the Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, or SAF/IE, called for the establishment of the Air Force National Environmental Policy Act Center and set a course for the Air Force to get "back to basics" in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act. As a result, the NEPA Center was established in November 2010 and was realigned under the Air Force Civil Engineer Center's Environmental Directorate in 2013. As a result of the realignment, the center was renamed the NEPA Division.

On January 1, 1970, President Richard M. Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the world's first national declaration of environmental policy. NEPA outlined requirements of an environmental review process before any governmental decision to take an action. It also established the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), which coordinates environmental efforts with federal agencies in the development of environmental policies and initiatives. In 1978, the CEQ issued binding regulations which implement the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508).

Overall, NEPA promotes environmental, economic and social balance at federal agencies through compliance with NEPA's goal to "encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment."

To meet federal requirements outlined in both NEPA and CEQ regulations, the Air Force codified their formal NEPA analysis process in 32 CFR Part 989 - Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP). EIAP is the Air Force's NEPA compliance program. It also provides the framework for complying with overseas environmental impact analysis requirements."

The NEPA Division offers expertise in the management and oversight of NEPA projects and in the implementation of new and streamlined approaches to support compliance with NEPA. The NEPA Center, located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, offers a full range of services to provide technical, execution, oversight and program support for NEPA projects for installations, major commands, air staff and other clients in support of Air Force mission proposals.

Inquiries may be directed to the NEPA Division mailbox at afcec.czn.workflow@us.af.mil.

United States Space Command Permanent Headquarters Environmental Assessment

The Department of Defense identified the need to standup a new combatant command for space (i.e., USSPACECOM) and designated the DAF as the Interim Combatant Command Support Agent for this command.

To function efficiently, USSPACECOM must permanently establish a consolidated HQ facility. This EA evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with establishing a permanent USSPACECOM HQ at one of six alternative sites in the United States (Proposed Action). The Proposed Action includes construction and operation of an HQ facility specifically designed to accommodate the functional requirements of USSPACECOM.

Approximately 1,450 personnel would be assigned to the proposed HQ facility, although staffing levels could vary depending on mission and operational requirements. Should there be a validated requirement to base personnel beyond 1,450, separate basing actions and associated approvals may need to occur before such basing could be considered reasonably foreseeable.

Additionally, USSPACECOM may support contractors and mission partners who would be co-located with the permanent HQ and, therefore, the impact of 1,800 personnel is included in this EA. The proposed HQ would consist of approximately 464,000 square feet of office, administrative, and functional interior space across multiple stories.

The main HQ building would be supported by approximately 402,000 square feet of vehicle parking in surface lots and/or parking structures. Under the No Action Alternative, a single, permanent USSPACECOM HQ facility would not be built.

The following environmental resources analyzed in the EA: land use and zoning, noise, air quality and climate, earth resources, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources, socioeconomics and environmental justice, transportation, and hazardous and toxic materials and waste. Resources, not meaningfully or measurably affected by the Proposed Action, include occupational safety and health, and utilities and infrastructure, were dismissed from detailed analysis.

Based on the analysis presented in this EA, the DAF has determined that with implementation of regulatory compliance measures and other alternative-specific design commitments included in this EA, the Proposed Action would have no significant impacts on the human or natural environment.

USSPACECOM - FINAL - Environmental Assessment
USSPACECOM - FINAL - FONSI

Relevant documents are:
2019 USSC Final - Environmental Assessment
2019 USCC Final - Environmental Assessment Appendices A-F
2019 USSC HQ Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
USSPACECOM - Memorandum of Agreement for Environmental Assessment (Signed)

Holloman Environmental Assessment

HAFB base personnel will identify environmental aspects of its mission, and will, with the expertise provided by the Environmental CFT and environmental program managers, develop economically feasible and environmentally sound objectives and targets to address those aspects. HAFB will comply with all environmental laws and local requirements applicable to the vast missions conducted on the installation. For more information on the Holloman Environmental program, click HERE.

Holloman AFB Environmental Scope and Commitment Statement

Holloman AFB Environmental Fact Sheet

Training Proposals for Holloman AFB

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Air Force Civil Engineering Center announced the availability of the Long Range Strike Weapon Systems Evaluation Program Draft Environmental Assessment/Overseas Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact for public review. Comments were requested to help the Air Force understand public concerns in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The public comment period for the Draft EA/OEA was from 27 July 2016 until 26 August 2016. Final documents are posted below.

For more information or to comment on these proposed actions, contact: AFCEC Public Affairs, 2261 Hughes Ave., JBSA-Lackland, Texas 78236, Tel: 1-866-725-7617; Comm: (210) 925-0956, or email: afcec.czn.nepacenter@us.af.mil.

Relevant documents are:
Final Finding of No Significant Impact
Mitigation and Monitoring Plan
Letter of Authorization
National Marine Fisheries Service’s Biological Opinion
Environmental Assessment
2016 Finding of No Significant Impact
Public Notice

MQ-9 Reaper In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Air Force Civil Engineer Center announced the availability of the MQ-9 Operations Group (Base X) Beddown Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and unsigned Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for public review. Comments were requested to help the Air Force understand public concerns in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The public comment period for the Draft EA was Oct. 10 to Nov. 8, 2017. Final documents are posted below.

For more information, contact AFCEC Public Affairs, 2261 Hughes Ave., JBSA-Lackland, Texas 78236, Tel: 1-866-725-7617; Comm: (210) 925-0956.

Relevant documents are:
Final Environmental Assessment and signed Finding of No Significant Impact

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam DCGS Draft Environmental Assessment

A Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) have been prepared by the United States Air Force to analyze the impacts of construction and operation of a Distributed Common Ground Station (DCGS) Pacific Hub at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), Wahiawa Annex, Oahu, Hawaii.

An electronic copy of the Draft EA can be found HERE (13MB) and the Draft FONSI can be found HERE.

Env Assessments

AFCEC AF Form 813 Tool

The AFCEC Air Force (AF) Form 813 Tool automates and centralizes the AF813 submittal, review, and approval process for active AF and AF Reserve components. While installations are not obligated to use the AF Form 813 Tool, the tool enables requirement owners, NEPA program managers, environmental, functional, and legal reviewers; environmental planning function personnel, and AFCEC/CZN to review, manage, track. approve, and print AF Form 813s.

The AF Form 813 Tool is hosted on a secure SharePoint environment, accessible by a Common Access Card; users should choose their Authentication Certificate upon access HERE.