DEPARTMENTOFTHEAIRFORCE HEADQUARTERSSTRATEGICAIRCOMMAND OFFUTTAIRFORCEBASE.NEBRASKA68113-5001 ARTETPNLYOTRO DEVP subject: Malmstom AFB: Final Environmental Assessment for Conversion of the Minuteman II Missile System to the Minuteman III System iI^ Tp! all interested government agencies, libraries, public groups, { ' AND INDIVIDUALS 'S' I’ C1.onvAetrtsaicohnedofiMsintuhteemFainnalIIEntovirIoIInmeMnitsaslileAssseastsmMeanltmst(rEAo)m Afiorr the I Force Base, Montana. This document is made available to you in ' t cEonmvpilrioannmceentawlithQuatlhietyr.egulations of the President's Council on < 2. Libraries in the region of Malmstrom are asked to maintain this Final EA in their reference collection for public review. If additional copies are needed, please contact HQ SAC/DEVP, Offutt AFB, Nebraska 68113-5001, telepone (402) 294-3684. 1 Attachment Environmental Planning Division Final EA DCS/Engineering and Services ' .' :>.;* r-^A . Q t..,->. i4w\J4^/.»,-i.^.»^'•',C,•7•’^2- - '. .'••! ,Ti* • '-4,•''i^ ' '.fX^c^;i.15*.'.•*ii:“'‘.*-.^.K^"'*.^-A''--^‘. r.•’^rf'f<l'(»*,T-*!4j-. ,J \-t-':v,'A'j> /''s''.-’.-', ' «V ‘^'‘ ’.*>‘ *S' %i«. i:i < ”«l :.1'.-^T, Lu i> ;’ It?-- .. *^ —'1^^*. -•'V•-KT»- •-<g''•• '^^•i.. •^t'-' J’M - ' >; *f-•AV',s.•r^.“^*»^''3l«S'*'.A.."'V4^.-i*.,-;•-t^*•i••',.,>jir•KP»^'vi•‘>'0v(pt3i...’-'•J'*?.•>*->;*fc^..'?.'Vt..' , / * J.T h ^ * ,S'-'‘ }.X STATEDOCUMENTSCOLLECTION ^'OV2.J 1991 MONTANASTATELIBRARY HELEN1A5,15MEO.N6TtAhNAAVE5.9620 SEPTEMBER1991 FINAL ENVIRONMENTALASSESSMENT pm ^ r LL. i ^f il %ikjunr: CONVERSION OFTHE MINUTEMAN MISSILESYSTEMTOTHE II MINUTEMAN SYSTEM AT III MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MONTANA DEPARTMENTOFTHEAIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS, STRATEGIC AIRCOMMAND OFFUTTAFB, NE COVERSHEET a. ResponsibleAgency: U.S.AirForce b. Action: The Departmentof Defense (DoD) is proposing the phaseoutofthe Minuteman (MM) II missile system, the oldest deployed system in the inter- continental ballistic missile (ICBM) force, in accordance with expectations regardingarmsreductionagreementsandtoenable DoDtomaintaincredible strategicdeterrenceattheleastcost. TheU.S.AirForceproposestoremove M1a50lmMstMroImI AmiirssFiolrecsefrBoamseth(eAFlBa)unacnhdfraceipllitaiceest(hLFesm)wiinthth1e50deMpMloyIImIemnistsialreesa. oAf slightadjustmenttothe missile umbilicalwould be madeandthesuspension sheyasvtieemrwMoMuldIIIbmeisscihlee.ckeMdo,diafnidedasdojfutswtaerdeifwonuelcdesbsearyl,oadtoedhainntdoleeatchheLslFigahtnldy launch controlfacility(LCF). Someoperationsandmaintenancecrewswould undergofurthertraining. Conversionundertheproposedactionwouldproceed sequentiallyfromonemissilesquadrontoanotherovera6-yearperiodstarting inOctober1991. Thenoactionalternativewouldbetocontinuemaintenanceof theexistingsystem. c. Forfurtherinformation,contact: HQSAC/DEVP 901 SACBlvd.,Suite3D-2 OffuttAFB,Nebraska 68113-5320 (402)294-3684 d. Designation: DraftEnvironmentalAssessment e. Abstract: Thisdocumentassessesthepotentialenvironmentalimpactsfromthe phaseout ofthe MM II missile system and subsequent conversion to MM III missiles at Malmstrom AFB, located near Great Falls, Montana. Continued operationofthecurrentsystemwithoutconversionwouldhaveanegligibleimpact onthe environment. Theproposedactionwould have an overall insignificant impactonthebiophysicalandhumanenvironmentinthevicinityofMalmstrom AFBandthroughoutthedeploymentarea. Thephaseoutandconversionprocess couldcauseshort-term,insignificantimpactstotheairqualityfromincreasesin emissionsfromtransporter,maintenance,andsupportvehicles,andincreasesin fugitivedustatthelaunchfacilitiesfromadditionalactivity. Anyimpactstothe geological,water,biological,andculturalresources,andtonoisereceptorsare expectedtobenegligible,andwouldbesimilartothoseincurredunderexisting operation and maintenance conditions. The transportation network may experienceslight,adverseimpactsfromtheincreasednumberoftripstoandfrom thebaseandthedeploymentarea. Anypotentialincreaseintheaccidentrate wouldbenegligible. Aslongasproperhandlingproceduresarefollowed,there wouldbenosignificantimpactsfromhandlinghazardousorradioactivematerials. Theriskofanaccidentcausingareleaseofhazardousorradioactivematerials is negligible. There would be a negligible increase in military or civilian personnel; therefore, the local social and economic environment would not experienceanynoticeableimpactsfromtheproposedaction. ThisPageIntentionallyLeftBlank o EXECUTIVESUMMARY ThisEnvironmentalAssessment,preparedinaccordancewiththeNationalEnvironmental PolicyAct(NEPA),theCouncilonEnvironmentalQualityNEPAregulationsat40CFR 1500-1508,andAirForceRegulation 19-2definingtheEnvironmentalImpactAnalysis ProcessfortheAirForce,evaluatestheproposedphaseoutandsubsequentconversion ofMinuteman(MM) II missilestoMM III missilesatMalmstromAirForceBase(AFB), Montana. The purposeofand needforthe proposedaction isto removetheoldest systemfromtheintercontinentalballisticmissile(ICBM)force,whileretainingthemost cost-effectivestrategicdeterrenceinthecontextofthebudgetandresourcesavailable troeltihabeleDetphaanrttmheentMMofIDIesfyesntseem..TheMMIIIsystemhasimprovedaccuracyandismore The 341st Missile Wing (MW) operates and maintains the MM II missile system at MalmstromAFB. Thesystemincludes150launchfacilities(LFs)withonemissileperLF, and15launchcontrolfacilities(LCFs)locatedthroughoutanextensivedeploymentarea outsideofthemissilesupportbase(MSB). TheU.S.AirForceproposestodeactivate t1h5e0mMwMithIIm1i5s0siMleMsfIrIIommitshseilLesF.siAntshleigdhetpaldojyumsetnmtenatretaootfheMamlimsssitlreoummbAiFliBcaalndworuelpdlabcee tmhaedseliagnhtdlythheeasvuiseprenMsMionIIIsymsistseimlew.ouSlodftbweacrheefcokreudsaendwiatdhjutshteedM,MifnIIeIcsesyssatreym,wtoouhladndblee substitutedfortheexistingsoftwareandloadedintoeachLFandLCF. Conversionunder theproposedactionwouldproceedsequentiallyfromonemissilesquadrontoanother overa6-yearperiodstartinginOctober1991. Apossiblealternativetotheproposed actionistocontinuemaintenanceoftheexistingsystemwithoutconversion,alsoknown asthenoactionalternative. Lindertheproposedaction,themissileswouldberemovedfromtheLFsusingthesame proceduresasundercurrentmaintenanceoperations. Theremovalandtransportofthe missilesfromtheLFswouldnotintroduceanynewproceduresortechniques:thesame methodsapplicabletocurrentoperationswouldbeappliedtotheproposedaction. The proceduresareprovenandwouldinvolveexperiencedpersonnel. AnaverageoftwoMM IImissileswouldberemovedeachmonthandreplacedwiththeMMIIImissiles;however, weatherconditions, equipment breakdown, personnel schedules, and holidays would causethemissileremovalandtransportratetovary. Onceremoved,themissilecomponentswouldbetransportedtoMalmstromAFB. The rocketmotorswouldbeshippedfromthemissilesupportbasetoHillAFB,Utah,andthe guidancesystemwouldbeshippedtoHillAFB,NewarkAirStation,OhioortoPueblo ArmyDepot,Colorado. Theproceduresforshippingmissilecomponentsareroutinely fMoMlloswyedstaesmMisanfuetteymapnroIgIrmiasmssileesxtaernedcofnrtoimnuaclolnycbeepitngderevfeulrobpimsheendtanadndmosdyesrtneimzedde.siTghne, throughdeployment,operation,andtransportation. Innearly30yearsofoperatingthe MinutemanICBMsystem,theAirForcehasneverexperiencedamishapleadingtoafire or explosion. The Air Force Logistics Logistics Command (AFLC) has prepared an E-1 environmentalassessmentonthehandling,transportation,andstorageofrocketmotors. Basedontheresultsofthestudy,afindingofnosignificantimpacthasbeenmade. TheRVsaretransportedtoDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)locationsusingsafe,secure transport assets. The risk of impacts resulting from handling, transporting, and decommissioningreentryvehiclesisnegligible. Thepotentialforaserioustransportation accidentisremote. Theprobabilityofareleaseofradioactivematerialisevenlessthan theprobabilityofanaccidentoccurring. Intheunlikelyeventthataserioustransportation would occur, the predicted environmental impacts would be significant within the immediate accidentvicinity. The riskofan accident,which isinfluenced by boththe probabilityandconsequences,isnegligible. Thetransport,maintenance,andsupportvehiclesandfacilitiesoftheMMIIsystemwould beusedforthesamepurposestoimplementtheproposedactionastheyarecurrently used. Adequatestorageandhandlingfacilitiesexisttofacilitatetheconversion. During the conversion process, the usage of particular vehicles would increase from approximately20missilerecycles(removingonemissileandemplacinganother)peryear toapproximately26missilerecyclesperyear(anincreaseofroughly25percent). Other missionsinsupportoftheMW,suchascommunicationsandoperations,wouldincura negligibleincreaseinvehicleusage. ActivitiesateachLFinvolvingmissileremovaland emplacementwouldoccurwithinthefencedsecurityarea. ttcoTnIIrhpoohaoeeneirrvnaMaeitsdnthrMdageetimtefIMiteIdoohrmMnetMiaomislsaIsMaIsiIitiMlnsMrletyaeMicesIInHnotIiaameInIsnIngbmydcsasslefyttiwosenrooctmgfure;tlemTthd.wheaeessnanedHwmeMooesMttwudheelhetvadIaIoemInMhrdsusia,lnsyvesdswteiteoblwerutoeomgolt.ohdoMutantfhibduhenreeerttrhMeggrenroerMaoqtanuurIicpIatriesraenanditiTdnhngeaiiMtfnatgomtwMphosperreIIokrIwgMfoswrouyMiarlstmmdtheIttIemhoriesestimq;yhrouestnimrthriieteetsrhmoseesrifoowoaMnrmanseMesd:, The following areas ofconcern were included in an initial evaluation ofthe affected environment: airquality;geological resources;waterresources; biological resources; archeological and cultural resources; health and safety/hazardous materials; noise; transportation;andsocioeconomics. Fortheseareasofconcern,potentialenvironmental consequencesassociatedwiththeproposedactionareevaluatedandwhereapplicable, mitigationmeasuresaresuggested. Thenoactionalternative,continuedoperationofthe cMoMnsiIdIesryesdtbeumt,ewliomuilndatendotfrroemsuflutrtihneraenvyalnuaetwionsiignnicfliucdaen:tcihmapnagcitsn.gthOetMheWr saeltleercntaetdivfeosr conversion and/or phaseout, shortening the conversion process, lengthening the conversion process, or only converting one or two MSs. These alternatives were csoupnpsoirdteraedMuMnreIaIIsocnoanbvelresiboenc,autsheeoafgetheofextihsetiMngMinIfIramsitsrsuiclteusr,eratanMgianlgmsatnrdomtaArgFeBtintgo capabilities,systemhardness.Congressionaldirection,andtheneedtomaintainstrategic deterrencewithintheconstraintsoftheDoDbudget. E-2 Theevaluationofimplementingtheproposedactionresultedinoverallinsignificant,ifnot negligible, impactstothebiophysicalandhumanenvironmentofMalmstromAFBand throughout the deployment area. Any potential impacts to the geological, water, biological,andculturalresources,andtonoisereceptorswouldbenegligible. Asmall numberofsecuritypolice(lessthanaonepercentincreaseinpersonneleachyearfor twoconsecutiveyears) would be addedto aid intheconversion process. Adequate housingandservicecapacityexistfortheprojectedpersonnelincrease. Thus,thelocal socialandeconomicenvironmentwouldnotexperienceanysignificantimpacts. Thelocalairqualityalong10thAvenueSouthinGreatFalls,MTwouldbeinsignificantly affected from a slight increase in the number of trips by the transporter-erector, maintenance,andsupportvehicles. FugitivedustattheLFsmaypotentiallyincrease fromadditionalactivityatthesites,butthiswouldbean insignificantimpacttotheair quality. Exposure to hazardous materials, particularly sodium chromate solution, during the proposedactioncouldaffectworkerhealthandsafety. However,thelikelihoodofthis impactisnegligiblebecauseofthelowquantitiesofhazardousmaterialshandled,the mechanicsofthehandlingprocess,andtherequirementtowearsafetygear. Adverse,yetinsignificantimpactsareanticipatedtothetransportationnetwork,particularly along10thAvenueSouth. Theaveragenumberoftripsbythetransport,maintenance, andsupportvehicleswouldincreasefromapproximately20missilerecyclesperyearto aMpWp,rosxuicmhataeslyco2m6mumnisiscialteiroencsycalnedsoppeerrayteiaorn.s,Hwoowuelvdeirn,cuortahenregmliisgsiibloensinicnresauspepoirntveohfitchlee usage. Althoughthe numberoftripswouldincrease,theaccidentrateisexpectedto remainrelativelyconstantwithanegligibleincreaseinaccidentsoccurring. Tominimize thepotentialofanyimpactstolocaltraffic,themajorityofvehicletripsassociatedwiththe proposedactionwouldoccurduringnon-peakhours. E-3 3 ThisPageIntentionallyLeftBlank