Continued Use of Edwards Restricted Airspace

Continued Use of Edwards Restricted Airspace

Project is the continued use of the airspace that comprises the 1,812-square-mile Edwards Restricted Airspace and the test ranges located within it. The purpose of the Proposed Action is to ensure that the U.S. Air Force (USAF) continues to have combat-ready aircraft to provide for the national defense. The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) conducts and analyzes test missions and reports on flight and ground testing of aircraft, weapons systems, software, components, modeling, and simulation for the USAF, which must continually test aircraft to evaluate technology improvements and to provide advanced training. Activities conducted include testing aircraft flight characteristics, new software for various uses, new radar functions, towed objects (e.g., targets, sensor arrays), engine performance, drop cargo methods and procedures, new fuels, refueling activities equipment, aircraft modifications, new avionics, and concealment and countermeasures, as well as conducting pilot training and jump training. The USAF must have the ability to meet on-going and evolving testing and evaluation needs. The EA provides an environmental analysis of the continued use of the airspace.

Barstow, California City, Palmdale

Kern, Los Angeles, San Bernardino

Southern California, Unincorporated

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Conservation (DOC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Inland Deserts Region 6 (CDFW), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5 (CDFW), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Transportation, District 7 (DOT), California Department of Transportation, District 8 (DOT), California Department of Transportation, District 9 (DOT), California Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics (DOT), California Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Planning (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Victorville Region 6 (RWQCB), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region 4 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Department of Toxic Substances Control, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights

Other (Continued Use of Airspace)

Airspace Use

Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Land Use/Planning, Noise, Airspace and Safety