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Joint Land Use Study (JLUS)

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The Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) released its draft Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) for Offutt Air Force Base in July 2015 with several recommendations included to help reduce potential conflicts between the base and surrounding communities.

A Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) examines 25 potential compatibility factors, both man-made and natural ones. Among those factors are noise, safety zones, vertical obstructions, and roadway capacity.  The primary objective of a JLUS is to reduce potential conflicts while accommodating new growth and economic development, sustaining economic vitality, protecting public health and safety and sustaining the operational missions of the base.  For more information go to: offuttjlus.com

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)’s fall into three categories: Public Operations (Government), Civil Operations (Non-government), and Model Aircraft (Hobby or recreation only). The FAA rules apply to Model Aircraft, which include drones. The distinction is what the individual is using the aircraft for; not what it looks like. Public and Civil Operations are regulated in a different manner and require special approval from the FAA.

Two people could both be flying the same drone in the same location, but if one is flying it for a business then it falls under Civil Operations and different rules apply.

The FAA press release announcing drone registration emphasized that unmanned aircraft owners do not need to work with a “drone registration” company to help file an application for a registration number. “The Registration site is designed to be simple and easy to use for every hobbyist.”

According to the FAA website, “The statutory parameters of a model aircraft operation are outlined in Section 336 of Public Law 112-95 (the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012). Individuals who fly within the scope of these parameters

FAA Guidelines for Recreational Drone Usage:

The FAA strongly urges individuals flying for hobby or recreation to follow safety guidelines, which include:
• Fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles
• Keep the aircraft within visual line of sight at all times
• Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations
• Don’t fly within 5 miles of Offutt Air Force Base, unless you contact the airfield operations before flying
• Don’t fly near people or stadiums
• Don’t fly an aircraft that weighs more than 55 lbs
• Don’t be careless or reckless with your unmanned aircraft – you could be fined for endangering people or other aircraft.

Rules for Recreational Drone Usage:

13 years of age or older (if the owner is less than 13 years of age, a person 13 years of age or older must register the small unmanned aircraft)
• A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident*
• Register AUS that weigh more than 55lbs by paper
• Label your UAS with your registration number.
• Read and understand all safety guidelines released by the FAA.

Registration:

Go to: https://registermyuas.faa.gov/ if your UAS (aka drone) weighs more than .55 pounds and less than 55 pounds.
UAS weighing more than 55 pounds, they must register their system using the aircraft registry process. Instructions can be found at:
https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_certification/aircraft_registry/UA/

For assistance with online registration, email UASregistration@faa.gov Telephone support is available from 10am to 6pm Eastern, Monday through Friday at 877-396-4636.

Penalties:

Failure to register your drone can result in the following:
• Civil Penalty Up to $27,000
• Criminal Fine Up to $250,000
• Up to Three Years in Prison

LOCAL CONTACTS

Offutt Air Force Base Contacts
55th Civil Engineer Squadron Director 402.294.5501
Portfolio Optimization Chief 402.294.3444
Base Community Planner 402.294.5411

Nebraska Community Contacts
Cass County Zoning Administrator 402.296.9359
Douglas County Planning & Zoning Coordinator 402.444.3531
Sarpy County Planning & Building Director 402.593.1555
City of Bellevue Planning Director 402.293.3032
City of Papillion Planning Director 402.597.2000
City of Plattsmouth City Administrator 402.296.2522 ext. 302
City of La Vista City Planner 402.331.4343
City of Omaha Planning Director 402.444.5150

Iowa Community Contacts
Mills County Building & Zoning Official 712.527.4347
Pottawattamie County Planning Director 712.328.5792
City of Council Bluffs Planning Coordinator 712.328.4629
City of Glenwood City Clerk 712.527.4717

AIR QUALITY
Air quality is defined by numerous components regulated at the federal and state level. For Compatibility, the primary concerns are pollutants that limit visibility, such as particulates, ozone, etc. and potential non-attainment of air quality standards that may limit future changes in operations at Offutt Air Force Base.

JLUS RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
• Air Quality Monitoring
• Air Quality Partnerships
• Investigate Higher Ozone Concentration Area
• Update 2013 Nebraska Air Quality Report

CONTACTS
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
Contact: Air Quality Division
Phone: 402.471.2186

Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Air Quality Bureau Chief
Phone: 515.725.9534

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Biological resources include federal and state listed species (threatened and endangered species) and their habitats. These resources may also include areas such as wetlands and migratory corridors that are critical to the overall health and productivity of an ecosystem. The presence of sensitive biological resources may require special development considerations and should be included early in the planning process.

JLUS RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
• Zebra Mussel Eradication (Base Lake)
• Control Bird and Wildlife Attractants Near Base
• BASH Consideration in Agency Projects
• Modify Zoning for BASH
• Flood Plain Buffers Around AFB
• Flood Management Through Zoning

CONTACTS
Nebraska Invasive Species Council
Contact: NISC Program Coordinator
Phone: 402.472.3133

Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District
Contact: General Manager
Phone: 402.444.6222

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Contact: Environmental Analyst Supervisor
Phone: 402.471.5438

Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Senior Environmental Specialist
Phone: 712.243.1934

WATER QUALITY/QUANTITY
Water quality/quantity concerns include the assurance that adequate water supplies of good quality are available for use by the installation and surrounding communities as the area develops. Water supply for agriculture and industrial use is also considered.

JLUS RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
• Develop a comprehensive and integrated flood management plan

CONTACTS
Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District
Contact: General Manager
Phone: 402.444.6222

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Contact: Environmental Analyst Supervisor
Phone: 402.471.5438

Nebraska Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Water Planning Division Head
Phone: 402.471.2899

FLOODPLAIN
There are 14 wetlands that cover 147 acres on Offutt AFB that are regulated by the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE). The base’s location next to the Missouri and Platte Rivers also puts it in close proximity to flood zones. During heavy rainfall, this area is prone to flooding, and flooding onto Offutt AFB may cause delays in missions and operations.

JLUS RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
• Floodplain Buffers Around Offutt
• Flood Management Through Zoning

CONTACTS
Nebraska Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Water Planning Division Head
Phone: 402.471.2899

Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District
Contact: General Manager
Phone: 402.444.6222

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Contact: Environmental Analyst Supervisor
Phone: 402.471.5438

Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Contact: Senior Environmental Specialist
Phone: 712.243.1934

INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure refers to public facilities and services such as sewers, water, electric, and roadways that are required to support development (existing and proposed).

JLUS RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
• Monitor Development or Increase Usage of Highway 34
• Encourage Compatible Land Development

CONTACTS
Cass County
Zoning Administrator
402.296.9359

Douglas County
Planning & Zoning Coordinator
402.444.3531

Sarpy County
Planning & Building Director
402.593.1555

City of Bellevue
Planning Director
402.293.3032

City of Papillion
Planning Director
402.597.2000

City of Plattsmouth
City Administrator
402.296.2522 ext. 302

City of La Vista
City Planner
402.331.4343

City of Omaha
Planning Director
402.444.5150

Mills County
Building & Zoning Official
712.527.4347

Pottawattamie County
Planning Director
712.328.5792

City of Council Bluffs
Planning Coordinator
712.328.4629

City of Glenwood
City Clerk
712.527.4717

LAND USE
The basis of land use planning and regulation relates to the government’s role in protecting the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Local jurisdictions’ general plans and zoning ordinances can be the most effective tools for preventing or resolving land use compatibility issues. These tools ensure the separation of land uses that differ significantly in character. Land use separation also applies to properties where the use of one property may adversely impact the use of another.

STRATEGIES
• Update Plans and Amend Regulations with AICUZ Recommended Land Use
• Update Local Jurisdictional Comprehensive Plans to Include Military Compatibility Policies that Support and Promote Compatible Land Use
• Update Local Jurisdiction Zoning Regulations
• Ensure Federal Aviation Regulation Part 77 Compliance
• Establish State Legislation
• Prepare and Execute a Formal Notification MOU for Development Proposals
• Economic Development Marketing

CONTACTS
Cass County
Zoning Administrator
402.296.9359

Douglas County
Planning & Zoning Coordinator
402.444.3531

Sarpy County
Planning & Building Director
402.593.1555

City of Bellevue
Planning Director
402.293.3032

City of Papillion
Planning Director
402.597.2000

City of Plattsmouth
City Administrator
402.296.2522 ext. 302

City of La Vista
City Planner
402.331.4343

City of Omaha
Planning Director
402.444.5150

Mills County
Building & Zoning Official
712.527.4347

Pottawattamie County
Planning Director
712.328.5792

City of Council Bluffs
Planning Coordinator
712.328.4629

City of Glenwood
City Clerk
712.527.4717

ROADWAY CAPACITY
Roadway capacity relates to the ability of existing freeways, highways, arterials, and other local roads to provide adequate mobility and access between military installations and their surrounding communities.

STRATEGIES
• Access Planning
• Traffic Impact Analysis

CONTACTS
Nebraska Department of Transportation
Contact: District 2 Engineer
Phone: 402.595.2534

Metropolitan Area Planning Agency
Contact: Transportation and Data Manager
Phone: 402.444.6866

VERTICAL OBSTRUCTIONS
Vertical obstructions are created by buildings, trees, structures, or other features that may encroach into the navigable airspace or line of sight radar signal transmission pathways used by the military. These obstructions can be a safety hazard to both the public and military personnel and potentially impact military readiness.

STRATEGIES
• Amend Zoning for Imaginary Surfaces Heights and Slopes
• Discourage Placement of Tall Structures within Safety Flight Corridors
• Foster Enhanced Public Awareness of Military Flight Paths Through Accurate Mapping
• Ensure FAA Part 77 Compliance

CONTACTS
Omaha Public Power District
Contact: Division Manager Production Engineering & Fuels
Phone: 402.636.3320

Omaha Public Power District
Contact: Manager Special Projects
Phone: 402.636.2418

MidAmerican Energy Company
Contact: Vice President, Generation
Phone: 515.242.3420

LIGHT AND GLARE
This factor refers to man-made lighting (street lights, airfield lighting, building lights) and glare (direct or reflected light) that disrupts vision. Light sources from commercial, industrial, recreational, and residential uses at night can cause excessive glare and illumination, impacting the use of military night vision devices and air operations. Conversely, high intensity light sources generated from a military area (such as ramp lighting) may have a negative impact on the adjacent community.

STRATEGIES
• Dark sky ordinance

CONTACTS
Omaha Public Power District
Contact: Division Manager Production Engineering & Fuels
Phone: 402.636.3320

Omaha Public Power District
Contact: Manager Special Projects
Phone: 402.636.2418

MidAmerican Energy Company
Contact: Vice President, Generation
Phone: 515.242.3420

ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
Development of energy sources, including alternative energy sources (such as solar, wind, geothermal, or biofuels) could pose compatibility issues related to glare (solar energy), or vertical obstruction (wind generation), or water quality / quantity.

STRATEGIES
• Update Comprehensive Plans for Renewable Energy Development
• Coordinate with DOD Siting Clearinghouse
• Identify Suitable Locations for Wind Energy
• Coordinate with Wind Developers to Reach an Agreement that Supports Wind Energy and Military Compatibility
• Regulations on Non-Reflective Solar Panels
• No Solar Concentration
• Develop Solar Siting Guidelines

CONTACTS
Omaha Public Power District
Contact: Division Manager Production Engineering & Fuels
Phone: 402.636.3320

Omaha Public Power District
Contact: Manager Special Projects
Phone: 402.636.2418

MidAmerican Energy Company
Contact: Vice President, Generation
Phone: 515.242.3420

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