Finding of No Significant Impact: Construction and Operation of an Emergency Services Center United States Air Force Academy, Colorado

Abstract : An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been developed in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, and implementing regulations set forth in 32 CFR 989 (Environmental Impact Analysis Process), as amended, to analyze a U.S. Air Force Academy (Academy) proposal to construct and operate an Emergency Services Center (ESC). The Academy proposes to construct and operate an ESC. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to provide and maintain adequate emergency operation functions including implementation of the Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-5 Management of Domestic Incidents, and to support the National Incident Management System (NlMS) and the National Response Plan (NRP). The ESC will be sited, constructed, and operated in accordance with United Facilities Criteria (UFC) 4-140-04 Emergency Operations Center Planning and Design (U.S. Department of Defense [DoD] 2008). The Proposed Action is needed because the current Security Forces (SF) Headquarters (Building 8024) is outdated, located in a flood zone, and no longer meets space requirements. Additionally, the current SF Headquarters is not centrally located, as required by UFC 4-140-04 (it is located at the far southern end of the Academy). Emergency operation functions are currently fragmented due to their locations at separate facilities throughout the Academy. Although the primary functions of SF operations are conducted in Building 8024, portions of the SF squadron are located in a converted housing unit and a detached garage (Buildings 8020 and 8028). The 911 call dispatch center is staffed remotely, sharing insufficient space at Fire Station 3. The dispatch center does not meet Air Force design standards. Space is inadequate for current operations and there is no dedicated communications control room or emergency response center.