Environmental Assessment: Tree Removal to Improve FAA Radar Coverage, Youngstown Air Reserve Station

Abstract : An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared to evaluate the environmental consequences of a request for assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve low altitude radar coverage for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (YNG). The trees have been shown to interfere with radar signals from the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (YNG) Airport Surveillance Radar tower, thereby impacting the Air Traffic Control Tower's (ATCT) ability to provide complete coverage for all civilian and military low altitude flights emanating from the northeast. The purpose of the proposed action is to protect human health and safety by removing the trees interfering with radar coverage to the extent necessary within an approximately 20 acre wedge of the woodlot in the northeast section of YARS. This woodlot, including the proposed action wedge, also contains jurisdictional wetlands. Approximately 6.5 acres of jurisdictional wetlands are within the 20 acre proposed action site. An EA has been prepared to evaluate the environmental consequences of a request for assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in determining the most viable approach with the least impact to address the radar coverage issue while ensuring that the US Air Force fulfills its legal obligations as stewards of the Federal land, including protection of the wetlands.