Federal Register #2026-20724

Air Force environmental review of Sentinel deployment changes and Minuteman III decommissioning

The Department of the Air Force is seeking public input on environmental review of proposed Sentinel deployment changes and Minuteman III decommissioning. - Government buyer: Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense. The notice concerns an Air Force Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), not a procurement solicitation or award. - Proposed locations and work: Missile-field changes at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, and Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. - Up to 30 new launch silo sites at Francis E. Warren, and up to 60 each at Malmstrom and Minot. - Potential closure in place of selected existing launch facilities; disposal of existing missile alert and launch facility sites; and conversion of qualifying launch facilities to launch silos. - Potential reuse of missile alert facility sites for launch-center development, new utility-corridor easements including fiber-optic cables, and helicopter refueling and rearming capability at selected launch centers. - Additional on-base infrastructure, possible land acquisition for new silo and launch-center sites at Francis E. Warren and Minot, potential replacement of an existing Francis E. Warren launch facility with a launch center, missile-field expansions at Francis E. Warren and Minot, and temporary construction staging and swing space at Malmstrom. - Alternatives and input: The Air Force will evaluate a No Action Alternative and is inviting comments on alternatives, potential impacts, relevant information, studies, and analyses. - Agencies and consultation: Potential cooperating agencies include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and USDA Farm Service Agency. The Air Force also expects to consult with federally recognized Tribes and relevant federal agencies. - OEMs and vendors: None identified; the notice does not request products or services from suppliers.

Description

The Department of the Air Force is preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) analyzing environmental impacts of changes to the Sentinel deployment and Minuteman III decommissioning and disposal action described in the 2023 EIS. The proposed action includes changes to missile-field infrastructure, including new launch silo sites, closure and disposal of selected existing sites, utility corridors, and supporting facilities. The SEIS will also analyze the No Action Alternative. A 30-day public scoping period begins on publication; the Draft SEIS is anticipated in fall 2027 and the Final SEIS in spring 2028.

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