Draft finding of no practicable alternative for clearing mesquite forest to comply with airfield safety criteria Published Sept. 4, 2012 By 7th Civil Engineer Squadron DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The U.S. Air Force at Dyess Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, proposes to clear approximately 7 acres of mesquite forest on the west side of Runway 16/34 and establish Bermuda grasses in the cleared, 7 acre area. The purpose of the proposed action is to clear a stand of trees and brush approximately 860 feet west of the runway 16/34 centerline. The trees violate current criteria for runway primary surface and transitional surface, which are obstruction surfaces established by 14 CFR Part 77, Subpart C, Section 77.28, and the lateral clear zone established by Unified Facilities Criteria 3-260-01, Airfield and Heliport Planning and Design. The purpose of the Finding of No Practicable Alternative (FONPA) is to demonstrate that there are no practicable alternatives to doing work within wetlands of flood plains. The review and comment acceptance period for this FONPA is thirty (30) days from the date of this publication. A copy of this document is available for review at Dyess AFB Asset Optimization Office and www.dyess.af.mil under "Dyess Links" named FONPA2. A supporting "813 CATEX" document is posted at the same location. Please send your comments to and/or request copies of this document by calling 7 CES/CEAO at (325)696-6453.