Air Force Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Environmental Impact Statement

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Why Conduct Public Scoping Online?

Picture of a North Dakota National Guard COVID-19 testing site.
National Guard continues COVID-19 testing efforts.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Air Force will not be holding any in-person public meetings for the time being as a direct result of the following: (1) The National Emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020, in response to the COVID–19 pandemic in the United States; (2) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for social distancing and avoiding large public gatherings; and (3) evolving Executive Orders related to COVID-19 issued by the states of Montana, North Dakota, Utah & Wyoming.

Scoping is generally the first contact between project proponents and the public. The purpose of the scoping process is to explain the project to affected agencies and the public. Scoping is utilized to gather information that might inform decisions regarding a proposed project. This early interaction and information gathering often reduces the need for changes later in the project development process and serves the purpose of reducing the chance that critical social, economic, or environmental issues have been overlooked.