FINDING OF NO
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NEW MEXICO

NAME OF THE PROPOSED ACTION: Environmental Assessment (EA) for the 2023-2027 White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) revision.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION: The proposed action is to adopt and implement the 2023-2027 INRMP. The WSMR Environmental Division, Directorate of Public Works, has reviewed the Integrated Cultural and Natural Resources Management Plan 2015-2019 and proposed the following changes: create stand-alone natural and cultural resources management plans; include Mendiburu Ranch within the administrative jurisdiction of natural resource management; introduce adaptive management strategies for addressing potential impacts from climate changes; update references, objectives and strategies to meet environmental requirements; support biodiversity; maintain or replicate natural ecosystem processes, and support recreation opportunities.

PURPOSE AND NEED: The purpose of the INRMP is to review and update installation-specific natural resource management goals and objectives in accordance with Department of Defense (DOD), State of New Mexico, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Sikes Act Improvement Act (SAIA), and U.S. Army policy.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES: This EA contains the results of the impact analysis of the No-Action Alternative and the Action Alternative on the affected environment; including impacts to air quality, airspace, soils, surface water resources, biological and cultural resources, noise, facilities, traffic, transportation, health and safety, waste and hazardous materials, socioeconomic, environmental justice, and greenhouse gases/climate change. No significant impacts upon the environment were identified.

CONCLUSIONS: The Action Alternative, adopting the proposed 2023-2027 WSMR INRMP has been selected as the Preferred decision. Based on the analysis in this EA and consideration of the mitigation measures listed in the EA in Table 4-1, and in accordance with the guidelines for determining the significance of proposed federal actions (32 CFR §651 [2002]; 40 CFR §1508.27) and Environmental Protection Agency criteria for initiating an Environmental Impact Statement (40 CFR §6.207), WSMR has concluded that adoption of the updated INRMP will not result in a significant effect on the environment. This Finding of No Significant Impact is hereby submitted.

DRAFT AVAILABILITY AND POINTS OF CONTACT: White Sands Missile Range invites members of the public to comment on the draft EA and INRMP. The draft EA, INRMP and FNSI are available at
https://home.army.mil/wsmr/index.php/about/
garrison/directorate-public-
works-dpw.environmental.
Hard copies are available to the public by sending a request to the address below, or at the following public repositories.

Thomas Branigan Memorial Library
200 E. Picacho Avenue
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001

White Sands Missile Range
Library
WSMR, New Mexico 88002

Socorro Public Library
401 Park Street
Socorro, New Mexico 87801

Alamogordo Public Library
920 Oregon Avenue
Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310

Written comments concerning the draft EA, FNSI and INRMP should be directed to the address below. The publication of this notice serves as the start of the 30-day comment period. All comments must be received no later than 30-days after publication of this notice and should be sent via mail, e-mail or fax to:

U.S. Army Garrison White Sands
Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division
Attn: Customer Support
BLDG 163
White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico 88002
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (575) 678-2048

Published in the El Defensor Chieftain on January 26, 2023

El Defensor Chieftain