Book Description
On January 5, 1989, the Secretary of Defense announced the closure of Norton AFB, California, pursuant to the Base Closure and Realignment Act. A record of Decision (ROD) for the action was signed October 3, 1990. The base is scheduled for closure in March 1994. This EIS has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to analyze the potential environmental consequences of the disposal and reasonable alternatives for reuse of the base. The document includes analyses of the potential impacts each alternative may have on the local community, including land use and aesthetics, transportation, utilities, hazardous materials/wastes, soils and geology, water resources, air quality, noise, biological resources, and cultural resources. Potential environmental impacts are aircraft-related noise, increased traffic, reduced wildlife habitat, alteration of topography, alteration of water flow and drainage patterns, and increase in emissions of air pollutants. Traffic mitigations include area roadway improvements. If avoidance of impacts to biological resources is not adequate or possible, mitigation in the form of replacement, restoration, or enhancement is possible. Air pollutant emissions that may interfere with achievement of attainment goals will require maximum mitigation and offsets. Because the Air Force is disposing of the property, some of the mitigation measures are beyond the control of the Air Force.