Land Withdrawal Extension Legislative EIS

Welcome

Welcome to the official website for the Environmental Impact Statement addressing the withdrawal extension of federal lands for military training in interior Alaska.

The Army is requesting that Congress extend the current withdrawal of 869,862 acres of land and water area in interior Alaska from public use for 25 years or more or assign control of the lands to the Secretary of the Army until such time as the Army determines it no longer needs them for military purposes.

Background Information

In 1999, through the Military Lands Withdrawal Act (Public Law 106-65), Congress withdrew 869,862 acres of public land comprising Yukon Training Area, Donnelly Training Area East, and Donnelly Training Area West from all forms of appropriation under public land laws and reserved them for use by the Army until November 2026. The withdrawn lands were formerly under the stewardship of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which managed the lands for multiple uses including recreation, extractive uses, subsistence uses, and open space. The lands are now managed by both the Army and BLM and comprise three military training areas in interior Alaska.

Project Area Location and Description

Yukon Training Area is a rectangular, 390 square-mile parcel located approximately 16 miles east-southeast of Fairbanks adjacent to Eielson Air Force Base. Donnelly Training Area East is an 81 square-mile parcel stretching east from the Richardson Highway to Granite Creek, while Donnelly Training Area West is an 894 square mile parcel bounded by the Little Delta River to the west and the Richardson Highway to the east. The two areas are separated by the Richardson Highway and the Fort Greely Main Post.

The LEIS process included several opportunities for public input, which is a fundamental part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Information gathered during the development process highlights public concerns, informs the project team of public understanding, informs the environmental analysis, and can refine the proposed action.

Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement for the Public Law 106-65 Land Withdrawal Extension