Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Acquisition of Real Estate Interests for Altus Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force

Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the

Proposed Acquisition of Real Estate Interests for Altus Air Force Base

(AFB), Oklahoma

The United States Air Force is announcing availability of an

Environmental Assessment (EA) which analyzes the proposed acquisition

of easements near the ends of a new runway at Altus AFB. The Air Force

proposes to acquire easements over approximately 1,046 acres, relocate

residents, and remove dwellings so that the runway may be used by all

assigned aircraft. The EA describes the proposal and alternatives

considered and analyzes potential impacts.

The Air Force is planning to conduct a public meeting on April 9,

1998 at 7:00 p.m. at the Herschal H. Crow Auditorium at Western

Oklahoma State College in Altus, Oklahoma. The purpose of the meeting

is to present the proposal and information addressed in the EA and to

solicit public comments.

All interested parties are invited to comment on the EA.

Statements, both written and oral, from representatives of government

agencies, public interest groups, and the public will be accepted.

Written and oral comments will be reviewed in their entirety and given

equal consideration. In order to ensure the Air Force has sufficient

time to fully consider public input on issues relating to the analyses

contained in the EA, comments should be submitted to the address below

by April 24, 1998.

An EA is an environmental analysis process that results in a

detailed public document that may lead to a Finding of No Significant

Impact for the proposed action. If there are significant impacts, an

Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared. Public participation

is integral to this EA process. The National Environmental Policy Act

requires federal agencies to prepare a detailed environmental analysis

before committing resources for significant proposed actions.

Copies of the EA will be available for review beginning March 24,

1998 at the Altus, Oklahoma Public Library and the Cordell, Oklahoma

Public Library. To obtain a copy of the EA, or to submit written

comments, address correspondence to: 97 AMW/PA, 100 Inez Blvd., Suite

2, Altus AFB, OK 73523-5067, (580) 481-7700.

Barbara A. Carmichael,

Alternate Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 98-7852 Filed 3-25-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3910-01-P