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Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement
Disposal of Portions of the Former
Homestead Air Force Base, Florida
December 2000
Volume I: Chapters 1 through 9
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
EDC
AADT average annual daily traffic Economic Development Conveyance
AAFES Army Air Force Exchange Service EDMS Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System
ADT average daily traffic EEL Environmentally Endangered Lands
af acre-feet EIS Environmental Impact Statement
AFB Air Force Base EMT
emergency medical technician
AFBCA Air Force Base Conversion Agency EPCRA Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-
AFI Air Force Instruction Know Act
AFRC Air Force Reserve Command ERP Environmental Resource Permit
AGE aerospace ground equipment FFAACA Federal Aviation Administration
AGL above ground level Florida Administrative Code
AICUZ Air Installation Compatible Use Zone FANG Florida Air National Guard
AIP Airport Improvement Plan FAR Federal Aviation Regulation
FBO
ALP Airport Layout Plan Fixed Base Operator
ANCA Airport Noise and Capacity Act FCMP Florida Coastal Management Plan
AOC Area of Concern FDEP Florida Department of Environmental Protection
APE Area of Potential Effect FDOT Florida Department of Transportation
APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
APU auxiliary power unit FFA Federal Facilities Agreement
APZ Accident Potential Zone FFCA Federal Facility Compliance Act
AQCR air quality control region FICON Federal Interagency Committee on Noise
AQRV air quality related values FICUN Federal Interagency Committee on Urban Noise
FIRE
ARS Air Reserve Station finance, insurance, and real estate
ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center FKNMS Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
ASC Aerospacecraft FLARNG Florida Army National Guard
ASG Area Support Group FLL Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
AST above-ground storage tank FMS flight management system
ATC Air Traffic Control FPL Florida Power and Light Company
AVGAS aviation fuel FPMR Federal Property Management Regulations
AWDT average weekday daily traffic Federal Register
BAM Bird Avoidance Model FFRW Fighter Wing
BASH Bird-Aircraft Strike Hazard FY fiscal year
BEA Bureau of Economic Analysis GMP General Management Plan
BEBR Bureau of Economic and Business Research GPS Global Positioning System
CAA Clean Air Act GSE ground support equipment
CDMP Comprehensive Development Master Plan GTO geosynchronous transfer orbit
CEQ Council on Environmental Quality HABDI Homestead Air Base Developers, Inc.
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, HAP High Accident Potential
Compensation and Liability Act HAZMAT hazardous material
CERFA Community Environmental Response HST Homestead Regional Airport
Facilitation Act HUD Department of Housing and Urban Development
CFR Code of Federal Regulations IFR Instrument Flight Rules
ILS
C&SF Central and Southern Florida (Project) instrument landing system
CSLA Commercial Space Launch Act INM Integrated Noise Model
CWA Clean Water Act IPEEE Individual Plant Examination of External Events
CZ Clear Zone IR Instrument Route
CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act IRP Installation Restoration Program
DBCRA Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act LEO low earth orbit
DEA Drug Enforcement Administration LLC Limited Liability Corporation
LOS
DERM Department of Environmental Resources level of service
Management LRA Local Redevelopment Authority
DOD Department of Defense LRTP Long Range Transportation Plan
DOL Department of Labor LUP Land Use Plan
DOT Department of Transportation MDCAD Miami-Dade County Aviation Department
DRI Development of Regional Impact MIA Miami International Airport
DRMO Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office MOGAS motor vehicle fuel
EA Environmental Assessment MSL mean sea level
Continued on Inside of Back Cover
COVER SHEET
FINAL SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
DISPOSAL OF PORTIONS OF THE FORMER HOMESTEAD AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA
Responsible Agencies: U.S. Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration
Cooperating Agencies: National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
Proposals and Actions: The U.S. Air Force proposes to dispose of approximately 1,632 acres of surplus
property (including the airfield) at former Homestead Air Force Base (AFB) for reuse by the local
community. The Air Force seeks to transfer the property in a manner that supports local plans for
economic revitalization of south Florida and protects Biscayne Bay and the nearby national parks. The
Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) examines a number of alternatives for
achieving the Air Force's purpose. The Proposed Action is to transfer the property to the Local
Redevelopment Authority, Miami-Dade County, for reuse in accordance with the reuse plan developed by
the county for the property. Miami-Dade County has prepared a plan to establish a commercial airport at
the former base. The SEIS also examines a Commercial Spaceport alternative and a Mixed Use
alternative, as well as the No Action alternative. The Mixed Use alternative assumes the Air Force would
retain the airfield (approximately 915 acres) and dispose of the remaining 717 acres for non-aviation use.
In addition to examining potential market demand for that property, the Final SEIS considers proposals
submitted both jointly and separately by Collier Resources Company and the Hoover Environmental
Group. A number of independent land use concepts for portions of the available property have also been
considered. Under any alternative, existing military and other government aircraft operations would
continue, as would activities on previously conveyed property.
The FAA is co-lead agency on the SEIS because of its authorities and special expertise regarding
approval of a commercial airport or commercial spaceport, should the Air Force decide to dispose of the
surplus property for either of those uses.
For additional information: Air Force Base Conversion Agency, 1700 N. Moore Street, Suite 2300,
Arlington, VA 22209-2802.
Designation: Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
Abstract: This Final SEIS has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
and Council on Environmental Quality Regulations. It analyzes the potential environmental consequences
of the Proposed Action and alternatives in the following resource topics: socioeconomics, transportation,
utilities, airspace and safety, noise, land use and aesthetics, hazardous materials/hazardous waste/
petroleum products, air quality, earth resources, water quality, biological resources, cultural resources,
minority and low-income populations, and Department of Transportation Section 4(f) lands. It also
examines the potential for cumulative environmental impacts from the Proposed Action and alternatives
in combination with other actions and developments in the region of influence. Potential mitigation
measures are discussed that may reduce or eliminate environmental impacts from reuse of former
Homestead AFB. The Final SEIS contains comments received on the Draft SEIS during the public
comment period. It also identifies the agencies' preferred alternatives.
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
FINAL
SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT
DISPOSAL OF PORTIONS OF THE FORMER
HOMESTEAD AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA
Volume I: Chapters 1 through 9
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation
http://archive.org/details/finalsupplementa01usai
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS— VOLUME I
Section Page
1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE ACTION 1-1
1.1 INTRODUCTION 1-1
1.1.1 Background 1-3
1 . 1 .2 Previous Environmental Impact Analysis Concerning Property
Disposal at Homestead AFB 1-3
1.1.3 Scope of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 1-4
1.1.4 Lead and Cooperating Agencies 1-5
1.2 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE ACTION 1-5
1.3 DECISIONS TO BE MADE 1-6
1.4 PROPERTY DISPOSAL PROCESS 1-7
1.5 SEIS PROCESS 1-9
1.5.1 Issues and Alternatives Identified in Scoping 1-9
1.5.2 Public Review of the Draft SEIS 1-1 1
1.5.3 Changes Between the Draft and Final SEIS 1-12
1.6 OTHER APPLICABLE FEDERAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS 1-13
1.7 ORGANIZATION AND CONTENT OF THE SEIS 1-15
2.0 ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION 2.0-1
2.1 CONTEXT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF REUSE ALTERNATIVES 2.1-1
2.1.1 Existing Status and Use of Former Homestead AFB Property 2.1-1
2.1.1.1 Land Use and Development 2.1-1
2.1.1.2 Airfield Operations 2.1-8
2.1.1.3 Employment and Population 2.1-9
2.1.1.4 Traffic and Utilities Use 2.1-14
2.1.1.5 Military Canal 2.1-15
2.1.2 Process for Defining Alternatives 2.1-16
2. 1 .2. 1 Definition of the Local Redevelopment Authority's Proposed
Action 2.1-16
2.1.2.2 Identification of Alternatives 2.1-17
2.1.2.3 Quantification of Alternatives 2.1-18
2.1.3 Baseline Growth and Development in the Region Surrounding Former
Homestead AFB 2.1-19
2.2 PROPOSED ACTION (COMMERCIAL AIRPORT) 2.2-1
2.2.1 Land Use and Development 2.2-1
2.2.1.1 Airfield 2.2-6
2.2. 1 .2 Aviation Support 2.2-6
2.2.1.3 Industrial 2.2-8
2.2.1.4 Commercial 2.2-8
2.2.1.5 Institutional 2.2-9
2.2.1.6 Open Space 2.2-9
2.2.2 Airport Operations 2.2-9
2.2.3 Employment and Population 2.2-16
2.2.4 Traffic and Utilities Use 2.2-16
Final SEIS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2.2.5 Secondary Development 2.2-18
2.2.6 Mitigation Measures Assumed in the Proposed Action 2.2-22
2.2.7 Possible Future Airport Expansion 2.2-26
2.3 COMMERCIAL SPACEPORT ALTERNATIVE 2.3-1
2.3. 1 Land Use and Development 2.3-4
2.3.1.1 Airfield 2.3-7
2.3.1.2 Aviation Support 2.3-9
2.3.1.3 Industrial 2.3-10
2.3.1.4 Commercial 2.3-11
2.3.1.5 Open Space 2.3-1 1
2.3.1.6 Other Uses 2.3-11
2.3.2 Commercial Spaceport Operations 2.3-1 1
2.3.2.1 Spaceport Operations 2.3-12
2.3.2.2 Military /Government Operations 2.3-14
2.3.3 Employment and Population 2.3-14
2.3.4 Traffic and Utilities Use 2.3-15
2.3.5 Secondary Development 2.3-17
2.3.6 Combined Commercial Spaceport/Airport 2.3-18
2.3.7 Mitigation Measures Assumed in the Commercial Spaceport
Alternative 2.3-23
2.4 MIXED USE ALTERNATIVE 2.4-1
2.4. 1 Land Use and Development 2.4-2
2.4.1.1 Market-Driven Development 2.4-10
2.4.1.2 Joint Collier-Hoover Proposal 2.4-12
2.4.1.3 Original Collier Resources Company Proposal 2.4-14
2.4.1.4 Original Hoover Environmental Group Plan 2.4-16
2.4.2 Airfield Operations 2.4-17
2.4.3 Employment and Population 2.4-17
2.4.4 Traffic and Utilities Use 2.4-19
2.4.5 Secondary Development 2.4-22
2.4.6 Mitigation Measures Assumed in the Mixed Use Alternative 2.4-23
2.4.7 Exchange Properties 2.4-26
2.5 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE 2.5-1
2.5.1 Land Use and Development 2.5-1
2.5.2 Airfield Operations 2.5-1
2.5.3 Employment and Population 2.5-3
2.5.4 Traffic and Utilities Use 2.5-3
2.6 INDEPENDENT LAND USE CONCEPTS 2.6-1
2.7 ALTERNATIVES ELIMINATED FROM DETAILED ANALYSIS 2.7- 1
2.8 OTHER FUTURE PROPOSALS, INITIATIVES, AND DEVELOPMENTS IN
THE REGION 2.8-1
2.8.1 Accelerated Population Growth in South Florida 2.8-1
2.8.2 South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Projects 2.8-2
2.8.2.1 South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force 2.8-2
2.8.2.2 Central and Southern Florida Project Comprehensive Review
Study 2.8-4
2.8.2.3 Recent Legislative Actions 2.8-5
Final SEIS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2.8.3 Miami-Dade County Stormwater Treatment and Distribution Area 2.8-7
2.8.4 Widening of U.S. Highway 1 2.8-7
2.9 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 2.9-1
2.9. 1 Summary and Comparison of Alternatives 2.9-1
2.9.2 Summary of Environmental Consequences for Selected Topics 2.9-7
2.9.2. 1 Economic Revitalization of South Florida 2.9-7
2.9.2.2 Protection of the Nearby National Parks 2.9-8
2.9.2.3 Community Noise 2.9-20
2.9.2.4 Agriculture 2.9-22
2.9.2.5 Buffer Lands 2.9-23
2.9.2.6 Safety 2.9-26
2.9.2.7 Possible Airport Expansion 2.9-28
2.9.3 Summary of Environmental Consequences By Resource 2.9-30
2.10 SUMMARY OF CUMULATIVE IMPACTS 2.10-1
2.10.1 Cumulative Effects of Accelerated Growth in South Florida 2.10-1
2.10.2 Cumulative Effects of South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Projects 2.10-3
2. 1 0.3 Cumulative Effects of Miami-Dade County Stormwater Treatment and
Distribution Area 2.10-4
2.10.4 Cumulative Effects of Widening of U.S. Highway 1 2.10-5
2. 1 1 SUMMARY OF MITIGATION MEASURES NOT ALREADY INCLUDED
IN THE PROPOSED ACTION 2.1 1-1
2.1 1.1 Previously Identified Mitigation Measures 2.1 1-1
2. 1 1 .2 Additional Potential Mitigation Measures 2. 1 1 - 2
2.1 1.2.1 Noise Abatement Flight Paths 2.1 1-3
2.1 1.2.2 Other Potential Mitigation Measures 2.1 1-7
2.12 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVES 2.12-1
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 3.0-1
3.1 SOCIOECONOMICS 3.1-1
3.1.1 Introduction 3.1-1
3.1.1.1 Resource Definition 3.1-1
3.1.1.2 Applicable Laws and Regulations 3.1-1
3.1.1.3 Region of Influence 3.1-1
3.1.2 Economic Activity 3.1-3
3.1.2.1 Existing Environment 3.1-3
3.1.2.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.1-12
3.1.3 Population 3.1-13
3.1.3.1 Existing Environment 3.1-13
3.1.3.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.1-15
3.1.4 Housing 3.1-16
3.1.4.1 Existing Environment 3.1-16
3.1.4.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.1-18
3.1.5 Public Service 3.1-18
3.1.5.1 Existing Environment 3.1-19
3.1.5.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.1-24
3.1.6 Public Finance 3.1-24
3.1.6.1 Existing Environment 3.1-24
3.1.6.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.1-28
iii Final SEIS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3.2 TRANSPORTATION 3.2-1
3.2.1 Introduction 3.2-1
3.2.1.1 Resource Definition 3.2-1
3.2.1.2 Applicable Laws and Regulations 3.2-2
3.2. 1 .3 Region of Influence 3.2-2
3.2.2 Existing Environment 3.2-2
3.2.3 Projected Baseline Environment 3.2-12
3.3 UTILITIES 3.3-1
3.3.1 Introduction 3.3-1
3.3.1.1 Resource Definition 3.3-1
3.3.1.2 Applicable Laws and Regulations 3.3-1
3.3.1.3 Region of Influence 3.3-2
3.3.2 Potable Water 3.3-2
3.3.2.1 Existing Environment 3.3-2
3.3.2.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.3-6
3.3.3 Wastewater 3.3-6
3.3.3.1 Existing Environment 3.3-6
3.3.3.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.3-8
3.3.4 Solid Waste 3.3-8
3.3.4.1 Existing Environment 3.3-8
3.3.4.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.3-1 1
3.3.5 Electricity 3.3-11
3.3.5.1 Existing Environment 3.3-1 1
3.3.5.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.3-12
3.3.6 Natural Gas 3.3-12
3.3.6.1 Existing Environment 3.3-12
3.3.6.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.3-12
3.4 AIRSPACE AND SAFETY 3.4-1
3.4.1 Introduction 3.4-1
3.4.1.1 Resource Definition 3.4-1
3.4.1.2 Applicable Laws and Regulations 3.4-3
3.4.1.3 Region of Influence 3.4-4
3.4.2 Airspace 3.4-4
3.4.2.1 Existing Environment 3.4-4
3.4.2.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.4-9
3.4.3 Flight Safety 3.4-10
3.4.3.1 Existing Environment 3.4-10
3.4.3.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.4-13
3.4.4 Ground Safety 3.4-13
3.4.4.1 Existing Environment 3.4-13
3.4.4.2 Projected Baseline Environment 3.4-16
3.5 NOISE 3.5-1
3.5.1 Introduction 3.5-1
3.5.1.1 Resource Definition 3.5-1
3.5.1.2 Applicable Laws and Regulations 3.5-6
3.5.1.3 Region of Influence 3.5-8
Final SEIS iv
