JPARC comment deadline extended to July 9, 2012
The military recently extended the deadline for scoping comments on this plan to extend military training space over a large segment of interior Alaska. Read more in the PR below:
Release 006 May 31, 2012
Military will continue to accept JPARC scoping comments through July 9
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – The U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, on behalf of Alaskan Command (ALCOM), will continue to accept comments on proposed changes to the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex through July 9, 2012.
Comments received no later than July 9, 2012, will be considered in the preparation of the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Comments may be submitted via the website, www.jparceis.com, mail, or fax.
Make your comments count! Explain how proposed actions may affect you. Give examples. Tell what you do support as well as what you don’t. Offer solutions-draw on your expertise as an interested stakeholder to suggest innovative ideas. Those substantive comments received by July 9, 2012, will be included in the Final EIS.
ALCOM, as the Department of Defense’s regional joint headquarters in Alaska, has coordinated with the Services to develop a joint strategy to identify joint training opportunities in Alaska, maximize the use of training resources, and improve joint training. The Environmental Impact Statement for the Modernization and Enhancement of Ranges, Airspace, and Training Areas in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex in Alaska (JPARC Modernization and Enhancement EIS) will evaluate the elements of this strategy which are reasonably foreseeable.
At present, the JPARC consists of all land, air, and sea training areas used by the Army, Navy, and Air Force in Alaska. The military uses the JPARC to conduct testing, unit level training, and to support various joint exercises and mission rehearsals. The JPARC was originally developed to support cold war weapons, tactics, and techniques. Its current configuration cannot fully meet the training requirement for forces and exercises located in Alaska. The proposed JPARC enhancements would enable realistic joint training and testing to support emerging technologies, respond to recent battlefield experiences, and train with tactics and new weapon systems to meet combat and national security needs. JPARC enhancements would enable the Services to train realistically and jointly so military personnel could succeed in their mutually supportive combat roles when exposed to situations faced in actual combat.
The EIS will analyze the environmental effects of the proposed changes and their alternatives. Federal, state, and local agencies, Alaska Native, and interested groups and persons are encouraged to provide comments on the proposed action by mail or fax at the address and numbers provided below. More information can be found at the project website at http://www.jparceis.com/ .
ALCOM Public Affairs 9480 Pease Avenue, Suite 120 JBER, AK 99506 Phone: 907-552-2341 Fax: 907-552-5411
