In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as amended, the EA and draft Finding of No Significant Impact will be available to the public for a review and comment period, March 29-May 17.
The documents are made available for review and comment at the Caroline County Public Library branches in Bowling Green, 17202 Richmond Turnpike, Milford, Va., 22514; at Port Royal, 419 King Street, Port Royal, Va., 22535; and, at the Essex County Public Library, 117 N. Church Lane, Tappahannock, Va., 22560. Electronic versions of the documents can also be found at www.aphill.army.mil/sites/directorates/ea.asp. Written comments should be addressed to Commander, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort A.P. Hill, ATTN: Public Affairs Office, 18436 4th Street, Fort A.P. Hill, VA 22427-3114 or emailed to usarmy.aphill.imcom.atlantic.mbx.pao@mail.mil
The Army operates Fort A.P. Hill to provide realistic joint and combined arms training support to the United States' defense forces. This includes the use of various artillery that target the existing dudded impact areas in the southern end of the installation. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft also use the dudded impact areas. These live fire activities are conducted within the Army's restricted airspace over Fort A.P. Hill. This airspace is contained beneath an altitude of 5,000 feet relative to mean sea level (msl). In order to provide the necessary training to meet the mission and goals of Fort A.P. Hill, the Army is proposing to modify the restricted airspace over the installation.
The current restricted airspace over the installation extends to an altitude of 5,000 feet msl. The proposed restricted area would be divided into three shelves:
A. Surface to 4,500 feet msl;
B. 4,501 feet msl to 7,500 feet msl; and,
C. 7,501 feet msl to 9,000 feet msl.
Along with decreasing the restricted altitude from 5,000 feet msl to 4,500 feet msl, the Proposed Action would extend the established operational hours from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m. The two other shelves (R-6601B and C) will be activated by a Notice to Airmen issued by the Federal Aviation Administration 24 hours in advance of Army activities.
Under the Proposed Action, there would be no change in the type or frequency of training occurring at Fort A.P. Hill. The Proposed Action would allow the Army to use all of the existing firing points within Fort A.P. Hill, spreading the use of artillery across the installation.
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