Dust generated during Exercise
Angel Thunder at FMR
Source: www.dividshub.net, Photo
by Staff Sgt. Adam Grant
The AZARNG and local jurisdictions in the Project Study Area must comply with Pinal
County air quality regulations. Florence Military Reservation and Picacho Peak Stagefield
are located in the West Pinal PM10 nonattainment area. Construction project work sites
in the West Pinal area that disturb greater than one tenth of an acre require a dust
permit from the County. In addition, the project must comply with specific performance
standards, as identified in the County regulations. Activities and operations in the PM10
nonattainment area, including those at FMR and Picacho Peak Stagefield, must also
comply with applicable fugitive dust standards adopted by the County, although the
regulations provide exemptions for military maneuvers conducted on federal facilities.
There are several mobile home and recreational vehicle communities, including Florence
Gardens, Caliente, Caliente Casa de Sol, and Tierra Del Sol, adjacent to a portion of FMR’s
southwestern perimeter. In the past, there were concerns from the community about
dust from military vehicles operating on unpaved roads impacting residents. To mitigate
the dust, AZARNG laid down asphalt milling along the dirt perimeter road. This action
reduces dust stirred up by military vehicles travelling on the perimeter road and helps
mitigate the impacts of blowing durst on the mobile home park and portions of
Highway 79. Since this action has been taken, complaints regarding dust have decreased.
5.5
Energy Development (ED)
Development of energy sources, including alternative energy sources such as solar, wind,
geothermal, or biofuels can pose compatibility issues related to glare (solar energy), or
vertical obstruction and radar operations (wind generation). It is in both the military’s
and community’s interests to support responsible alternative energy development for
energy security and economic reasons. The emphasis of this analysis is to identify gaps in
coordination and / or communication and to increase understanding of a community’s
pursuits in such matters, the opportunities sought by alternative energy developers and
the intersection with the military footprint, with the goals that these activities exist in
mutually compatible environment.
Technical Background
The DoD continues to emphasize the importance of energy security, resiliency and
application of renewable energy in support of installation operations. The DoD goals /
approach to installation energy are:
5-30
Reduce demand
Expand supply
Enhance resilience
Compatibility Assessment