Environmental Assessment of Consolidation Activities at Brandywine Receiver Site, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland

Abstract : The 89th Airlift Wing (89 A W) of the United States Air Force (USAF) has proposed to consolidate the Brandywine Receiver Site at Andrews Air Force Base (AFB), Maryland. The Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative were assessed in the attached Environmental Assessment (EA), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Andrews AFB is a USAF base under the Air Mobility Command and is the headquarters base to the 89 AW. The 89 AW provides logistical support for the President, Vice President, Cabinet members and high-ranking U.S. and foreign government officials. In 1967, a survey was conducted for locating a communications satellite terminal at the Brandywine site; installation of the facility was completed in January 1968. Over the last 35 years, advances in technology have reduced the amount and size of equipment and the manpower necessary to run the site. As a result, the majority of buildings at the site are no longer necessary to continue operations. In addition, the existing main building is deteriorating rapidly and maintenance and repair of the building have been quite costly in recent years. Under the Proposed Action, the existing main building and other excess buildings would be demolished. The current gymnasium (built in 1997) would be converted to the main building. The site would become unmanned. Although personnel would frequently visit the site, no personnel would be permanently assigned to the site.