Environmental Assessment: Construction of Fire/Crash Rescue Station at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York

Abstract : The purpose of the Proposed Action is to meet the requirements of Air Force Handbook (AFH) 32-1084, Civil Engineering, Facility Requirements, which states that an installation the size of Niagara Falls ARS should have a Fire/Crash Rescue Station of at least 30,340 square feet (ff) to enable personnel to perform activities necessary to meet USAF mission and emergency response concerns. The Installation's current 15,488 ft2 Fire Station is too small for the number of full-time employees. The Fire/Crash Rescue Station must also be located near the AFRC parking ramp, but have an effective standoff distance from other buildings. The Proposed Action is to build a new Fire/Crash Rescue Station using the architectural design and engineering drawings from an existing Fire/Crash Rescue Station. The proposed location is between Buildings 820 and 827. Under the No Action Alternative, Niagara Falls ARS personnel would continue to use existing facilities. There would be no change from existing conditions at the Installation. This alternative would not address USAF mission and emergency response at Niagara Falls ARS. This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to evaluate the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Resources that are considered in the impact analysis include land use, air quality, safety, geological resources, and water resources. The EA will be made available to the public upon completion.