1.0 INTRODUCTION

Fort Knox is located approximately 35 miles to the southwest of Louisville, Kentucky (Figure 1-1). The Installation encompasses approximately 109,000 acres in three Kentucky counties (Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade). Fort Knox has a population of over 40,000 Soldiers, Family Members, and civilian employees. Fort Knox uniquely boasts the sole responsibility for all Soldier career management, from swearing in to departing service. The Fort Knox Garrison supports the development and readiness of our Nation's Warriors by providing quality services, maintaining and improving infrastructure, ensuring force protection, and enhancing the well-being of the greater Fort Knox community.

Headquarters, Department of the Army (DA) programmed the construction of a Digital Air/Ground Integration Range (DAGIR) starting in FY19 at Fort Knox as part of the Army Master Range Program. The DA Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations and Plans (G-3) determined the range is required to train Active Component Units stationed at Fort Knox. Fort Knox prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to identify and evaluate potential adverse environmental effects associated with the Proposed Action -- construction and operation of a DAGIR at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

2.0 PURPOSE AND NEED

The purpose for this action is to provide Fort Knox with the ability to support a year-round, comprehensive and realistic aviation training range facility for use by Soldiers (e.g., aviation crews, teams, platoons, and companies/troops). The proposed DAGIR would be used primarily by the Soldiers assigned to the Combat Aviation units and National Guard aviation units that routinely train at the Installation. The DAGIR would be used to train aviation units and crews on the skills necessary to detect, identify, and engage stationary and moving infantry and/or armor targets in a tactical array. Company combined arms live-fire exercises (CALFEX) and fully integrated advanced tables may be fired by mechanized infantry and armor crews and units.

The DAGIR provides training that aviation units need to build skills in weapons use, target observation and engagement, team building, and leadership development. The DAGIR provides aviation units the capability to meet live-fire individual crew and unit collective training tasks in a digital mode, as outlined in Standards in Training Commission (STRAC) live-fire tasks. The range would train aviation crews and units to meet mission-essential live-fire training tasks while simultaneously providing the best possible training for current threats the Army encounters during combat operations in the contemporary operating environment.

The Army continually adapts to changes in land combat operations, information and technology, and contemporary operating environments by modernizing Army training and its ranges. The modernization of Army forces has provided a digital command and control and battlefield awareness capability including each helicopter in the Army's arsenal. Aviation units must train with this digital capability in a live-fire mode to accurately replicate those tasks they must perform in combat operations.

The proposed DAGIR at Fort Knox would provide adequate areas suitable to train and test individual Soldiers on these skills and would also meet the Army training requirements of Training Circular (TC) 25-8, Training Ranges and TC 25-8-1, Army Special Operations Forces Training Ranges.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES

Fort Knox does not contain a range to support training of digitally capable units. The DAGIR would be designed to support the digital training needs of FORSCOM and National Guard units. Fort Knox currently uses the Yano Range, a Multi-Purpose Range Complex-Heavy (MPRC-H), to mimic DAGIR training. The Yano Range, however, is not capable of supporting the digital capabilities required of the modernized force nor is this range built to Army standards for aerial gunnery ranges and DAGIR training as outlined in TC 25-8, Training Ranges. The existing range lacks digital feedback capabilities required for the transition to the objective force, required target densities, and necessary lateral dispersion distance. It does not offer gunnery qualification, live convoy, or the level required for urban operations.

The Yano Range is a former MPRC-H, which was previously used as a multi-purpose range involving training such as combat aviation, tank live-fire up to platoon level, and dismounted training. The Yano Range encompasses approximately 3,650 acres; the DAGIR would require only a portion of the existing Yano Range, along with additional land areas, as present in Table 2-1 of the EA. A total of approximately 2,112 acres would be required to accommodate the full range of elements of a standard Army DAGIR design such as targetry, road courses, ground and aerial firing points, urban clusters, range supporting facilities, and the necessary spacing between these elements (see Figure 2-1).

Alternatives Considered and Evaluated:

Due to the large footprint required for a DAGIR, only one Proposed Action Alternative, placing a new DAGIR on the existing Yano Range, was considered viable.

The following two alternatives were analyzed in the EA:

• No Action Alternative -- Under the No Action Alternative, the DAGIR would not be constructed. Fort Knox would continue to utilize sub-optimal, temporary ranges for aviation training that do not provide Soldiers with optimal quality training per TC 25-8, Training Ranges and 25-8-1, Army Special Operations Forces Training Ranges.

• Proposed Action: The new DAGIR would be located at the existing Yano Range, with an expanded footprint of approximately 290 acres along the northern boundary and approximately 5 acres along the perimeter of the existing Yano Range in order to accommodate the full range of elements of a standard Army DAGIR design such as targetry, road courses, ground and aerial firing points, urban clusters, and range support facilities.

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

Environmental Consequences and Comparison of Alternatives: The EA's Chapter 3 discusses the affected environment and potential environmental consequences for the Proposed Action by valued environmental component (VEC). The No Action Alternative serves as a baseline from which to compare the potential impacts of the Proposed Action.

The Army determined the following VECs would result in negligible adverse effects and were not retained for further analysis in the EA: air quality, airspace, land use, fire management, cultural resources, socioeconomics and environmental justice, recreation, utilities, solid waste, and safety. Three known cemeteries (Slack, Howlett, and Dawson [Bolton]) are located in the Yano Range complex; however, they would not be affected by construction and operation of the range because they are already protected by earthen berms and other restriction markers.

Impacts resulting from the Proposed Action Alternative would be less than significant. Although there may be some short-term minor impacts related to range construction and operation, those impacts would be avoided/minimized during design and reduced by following Best Management Practices. To reduce potential adverse impacts, permits, plans, and measures that will be followed are identified in the EA.

The Proposed Action alternative is located within the 100-year riverine floodplain of the Rolling Fork watershed. Topographic mapping from the U.S. Geological Survey was used as an approximate method to determine the base flood elevation in accordance with Executive Order (EO) 13690, establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input. Based on an EO 13690 approach, the floodplain elevation is considered to be 22 feet in the proposed action footprint. In January 2015, EO 13690 amended EO 11988, Floodplain Management, to improve the Nation's resilience to current and future flood risk. The Army will take all practicable measures to elevate target structures to the floodplain elevation. Wetland disturbance will be avoided and minimized to maintain the floodplain environment as closely as possible to its natural state. Thus, the effect of the proposed action is not expected to create an obstruction to the floodplain, increase the water surface elevation of the base flood, or increase the flood heights or velocities associated with the Rolling Fork River.

Cumulative Impacts: The cumulative effects analysis of these VECs within the EA determined that the Proposed Action would not likely cause any appreciable significant cumulative impacts.

Proposed Impact Reduction Measures: Impacts resulting from the Proposed Action Alternative would be less than significant. Although there may be some short-term minor impacts related to range construction and operation, those impacts would be avoided/minimized during design and reduced by following Best Management Practices. No long-term or cumulative environmental effects are expected.

5. PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT

The EA, Draft Finding of No Significant Impact, and Draft Finding of No Practicable Alternative for the DAGIR are available for a 30-day public review and comment period, from December 20, 2018 through January 20, 2019. Documents were made available at the Barr Library (400 Quartermaster Street, Fort Knox, Kentucky), the Hardin County Library (800 South Logsdon Parkway, Radcliff, Kentucky), the Hardin County Public Library (100 Jim Owen Drive, Elizabethtown, Kentucky), Bullitt County Library Hillview Branch (155 Terry Boulevard, Hillview, Kentucky), Bullitt County Library Lebanon Junction Branch (11382 S. Preston Highway, Lebanon Junction, Kentucky), Bullitt County Library Mt. Washington Branch (214 N. Bardstown Road, Mt. Washington, Kentucky), Bullitt County Library Ridgway Memorial (127 N. Walnut Street, Shepherdsville, Kentucky) and the Meade County Public Library (400 Library Place, Brandenburg, Kentucky). A Public Notice was published in three local newspapers (News Enterprise, Meade County Messenger and The Pioneer News). The Draft Finding of No Significant Impact and Draft Finding of No Practicable Alternative are also available on two Fort Knox websites (https://www.knox.army.mil and https://www.army.mil/knox). Comments from the public were requested to be submitted to Mike Hasty at michael.c.hasty.civ@mail.mil, 502-624-3629.

6. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FNSI)

I have considered the results of the analysis in the EA; the comments received during the public comment period, and associated cumulative effects. Based on these factors, I have decided to proceed with the Proposed Action, to construct and operate a DAGIR at Fort Knox. In accordance with the CEQ regulations, 40 CFR 1500-1508, implementing NEPA, as amended, and Environmental Analysis of Army Actions; Final Rule, 32 CFR 651, and based on the environmental analysis included in the Final EA for constructing and operating a Digital Aerial /Ground Integration Range at Fort Knox, Fort Knox, Kentucky, I conclude that the Preferred Alternative (the Proposed Action) will have no significant or potential significant environmental impacts and, an Environmental Impact Statement is not warranted.

FINDING OF NO PRACTICABLE ALTERNATIVE (FONPA)

Pursuant to EOs 11988, Floodplain Management, 13690, Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Solicitation and Considering Stakeholder Input, and 11990, Protection of Wetlands, the Army must find there are no practicable alternatives to construct in a floodplain or wetland, and to do so, all practicable measures should be taken to minimize harm to the floodplain and wetland. The practicability of a given alternative is evaluated by considering such pertinent factors as operational impact and environmental impact in light of the overall project purpose.

In this instance, avoiding floodplain entirely for the proposed DAGIR is unrealistic due to the size of the proposed range, and the requirements of placing the range in proximity to suitable, available impact area on Fort Knox. To build the range outside of the floodplain would require removal of other training area that is just as important for maintaining Soldier readiness. Because floodplains are linked to adjacent streams and rivers, the Installation will require engineers and contractors to design and construct so that runoff from rain events will not adversely impact (a) existing streams, (b) upstream systems, and (c) downstream systems within the proposed action location. This will help to maintain stormwater flow at the same levels during pre- and post-construction periods, which will contribute to the preservation of water storage and conveyance, and the filtering of pollutants from runoff.

The Installation will also mandate full utilization of BMPs, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit requirements, site-specific Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, and other pre- and post-construction BMPs to reduce the potential adverse impact to water bodies.

Wetland impacts were avoided to the greatest extent practicable during range design and the siting of targetry, cables, and maintenance roads. No impacts to wetlands will be caused by the addition of fill material to the wetland. No new impermeable surfaces or structures associated with the DAGIR will be built in wetlands.

After careful consideration of the information presented, I find there is no practicable alternative to constructing and operating a DAGIR in the floodplain and associated wetland. I further find that all practicable measures have been taken to minimize harm to floodplain and wetland, and those measures are documented in Chapter 3.0 of the EA and Table 1 of this decision document. This finding fulfills the requirements of EOs, 11988, Floodplain Management, 13690, Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Solicitation and Considering Stakeholder Input, and 11990, Protection of Wetlands.