Potential environmental and noise issues at Fort Carson and the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in southern Colorado related to the addition of a 113-helicopter brigade are either insignificant or can be mitigated by the Army post, according to an Environmental Assessment released Wednesday. 

The assessment paves the way for the post to proceed with construction at Butts Army Airfield and the surrounding area to accommodate the brigade’s 2,700 soldiers.

Fort Carson officials declined to comment on the report or any plans to break ground on the brigade’s new facilities until a  briefing Thursday morning.

Col. David Grosso, the post’s garrison commander, approved a “finding of no significant impact” in the environmental assessment, which is meant to determine whether the brigade will negatively impact wildlife, the terrain or noise levels around the post or training areas.

In addition to the incoming helicopters and soldiers, the brigade will include between 600 and 700 vehicles and trucks. Fort Carson officials previously said that they expect the first helicopters — a dozen twin-rotor CH-47 Chinooks — to arrive by January.

A mix of 48 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, 38 UH-60 Blackhawk transports and 15 HH-60 Blackhawks that are used as airborne ambulances are slated to arrive later in 2013 and 2014, Fort Carson officials said earlier this year.

That influx could impact air quality, due to dust being kicked up during construction. Erosion is a possibility with increased traffic and wind kicked up by helicopters, the report said.

The report said the sound of helicopters can be annoying and could draw complaints, but was not considered a significant impact.

Construction of the brigade’s facilities — as well as training exercises — could increase stormwater runoff, the report found. Officials expressed concern at helicopters hitting birds that are in the area to hunt prairie dogs.

But Fort Carson officials expect to mitigate all those impacts, the report said.

One proposal would shift a portion of Route Hawk — a helicopter flying route from the post to the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site — to reduce wind from helicopter rotors on the Santa Fe Trail, the assessment said. The post also plans to build a central energy plant to cut down on the number of heating and cooling units needed at brigade facilities.

They would also control prairie dog populations and fly a half-mile away from bald and golden eagle nesting sites.

The report’s release comes as Fort Carson officials await the go-ahead to expand near Butts Army Airfield.

A contract to build an aircraft hangar was put up for bid earlier this year — one of six contracts totaling $238 million that Congress authorized for fiscal year 2012. In all, construction costs for the brigade are expected to near $775 million.

Dee McNutt, a garrison spokeswoman, declined to comment on the status of any planned contracts until Thursday’s briefing.

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