Offutt kicks off encroachment management project efforts

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OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Offutt Air Force Base will kick off the development of an Installation Complex Encroachment Management Action Plan Jan. 26 - 30 with a workshop and installation personnel interviews. These activities will provide a greater understanding of the mission and operational requirements as well as insights into the shared interests with the surrounding community.

ICEMAPs are being completed at Offutt AFB and other Air Force installations as part of the Air Force Encroachment Management Program, established by Air Force Instruction (AFI) 90-2001, Encroachment Management, signed Sept. 3, 2014. The Program continues to develop policy, guidance and tools to help Air Force major commands and installations address internal and external encroachment and sustainment challenges.

The Offutt AFB ICEMAP will examine the following challenge areas: airspace and land restrictions, airborne noise, urban growth, spectrum encroachment, endangered species and critical habitat, air, water, cultural resources, unexploded ordnance and munitions, marine resources, energy compatibility and availability, security/safety, and natural factors and climate effects.

The ICEMAP is being developed as Offutt AFB personnel continue their involvement in a Joint Land Use Study with local municipalities. The JLUS will provide recommendations to local communities and the installation for maintaining compatible development around and on the installation. Similarly, the ICEMAP will offer Offutt AFB's leadership a clear path for addressing encroachment and sustaining installation missions.

Marstel-Day, LLC is assisting Headquarters Air Force, Air Combat Command, and Offutt in the development of the ICEMAP. The firm is highly regarded for their expertise in assisting military installations with innovative solutions to navigate complex issues regarding sustainability, land use, real property, conservation, and the environment.

The key focus of the ICEMAP process is managing encroachment, described as the impact of a stakeholder's actions on current and future military activities as well as the impact of the military's actions on stakeholders. In addition, encroachment impacts from natural factors and climate effects are considered in the analyses.

"The Offutt AFB ICEMAP will assess all of our installation's operating areas and requirements with a goal of providing a road map to sustain our current and future missions," said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory Guillot, 55th Wing commander. "This will also support our long-standing and strong relationships with the surrounding communities in Nebraska and western Iowa."

A consultant team from Marstel-Day, LLC will be on base during the visit to conduct the workshop and installation personnel interviews. The purpose of the workshop is to introduce the Air Force Encroachment Management Program, including how installation personnel will be involved in developing and executing the ICEMAP. Interviews will facilitate the collection of encroachment related information necessary for the development of the Offutt ICEMAP, which is slated for completion in July 2015.