Environmental Assessment for the Construction of Student Dormitories and Visiting Quarters at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi

The purpose of the proposed action is to construct two dormitories and two visiting quarters to alleviate the student-housing deficit on Keesler AFB. Currently the Air Force is using substandard on-base facilities as well as off-base commercial accommodations to meet the installation s student housing needs so as not to impact the training mission at Keesler AFB. The Air Force is proposing to construct two 500-person dormitories, one 320-person visiting quarters, and one 1 00-person visiting quarters on Keesler AFB. The alternatives considered for this action where 1. Construct new facilities (proposed action), or 2. Continue to use off-base commercial facilities (no-action alternative). No suitable facilities were identified on base for renovation, and the existing facilities would not alleviate the current deficit. Under the no-action alternative, there would be no renovation or construction activity. The Air Force would continue to use substandard on-base accommodations and off-base commercial facilities to house unaccompanied enlisted and Temporary Duty {TDY) students. This EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts that would be associated with the proposed action and alternatives. Resources that will be considered in the analysis are: noise, land use, air quality, water resources, hazardous materials and wastes, infrastructure and utilities and socioeconomics.