Revised Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for EA-18G Growler Airfield Operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA and Notice of Request for Public Scoping Comments, 61296-61298 [2014-24223]
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61296
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 197 / Friday, October 10, 2014 / Notices
auxiliary aids should be directed to
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, at
(978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to
the meeting date.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 7, 2014.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–24238 Filed 10–9–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM
PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR
SEVERELY DISABLED
Procurement List; Proposed Additions
Committee for Purchase From
People Who Are Blind or Severely
Disabled.
ACTION: Proposed additions to the
Procurement List.
AGENCY:
The Committee is proposing
to add products and a service to the
Procurement List that will be furnished
by nonprofit agencies employing
persons who are blind or have other
severe disabilities.
Comments Must Be Received On Or
Before: 11/10/2014.
ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase
From People Who Are Blind or Severely
Disabled, 1401 S. Clark Street, Suite
10800, Arlington, Virginia, 22202–4149.
For Further Information Or To Submit
Comments Contact: Barry S. Lineback,
Telephone: (703) 603–7740, Fax: (703)
603–0655, or email CMTEFedReg@
AbilityOne.gov.
SUMMARY:
This
notice is published pursuant to 41 USC
8503(a)(2) and 41 CFR 51–2.3. Its
purpose is to provide interested persons
an opportunity to submit comments on
the proposed actions.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Additions
Contracting Activity: Defense Logistics
Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, PA
Coverage: C-List for 100% of the requirement
of the Department of Defense, as
aggregated by the Defense Logistics
Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia,
PA.
Laminating Pouch, Thermal, 3 Mil
Thickness, Letter size
NSN: 9330–00–NIB–0003—100/BX
NSN: 9330–00–NIB–0004—25/BX
NSN: 9330–00–NIB–0005—50/BX
NSN: 9330–00–NIB–0007—100/BX
NPA: LC Industries, Inc., Durham, NC
Contracting Activity: General Services
Administration, Fort Worth, TX
Coverage: A-List for the Total Government
Requirement as aggregated by the
General Services Administration, Fort
Worth, TX.
NSN: MR 1070—Brush, Power Scrub
NSN: MR 1071—Brush, Kitchen
NSN: MR 1074—Broom, Corn
NSN: MR 1081—Brush, Toilet Bowl
NSN: MR 1082—Broom, Large, Angle
NPA: Alphapointe, Kansas City, MO
Contracting Activity: NEXCOM-Navy
Exchange Service Command, Virginia
Beach, VA
Coverage: C-List for the requirements of Navy
Exchanges as aggregated by the Navy
Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM),
Virginia Beach, VA.
NSN: MR 10669—Kit, Party, New Year’s
NPA: Winston-Salem Industries for the
Blind, Inc., Winston-Salem, NC
Contracting Activity: Defense Commissary
Agency, Fort Lee, VA
Coverage: C-List for the requirements of
military commissaries and exchanges as
aggregated by the Defense Commissary
Agency, Fort Lee, VA.
Service
Service Type/Location: Internal Mail and
Messenger Service, U.S. Department of
State, Harry S. Truman Building, 2201 C
Street NW., Washington, DC
NPA: ServiceSource, Inc., Alexandria, VA
Contracting Activity: Department of State,
Office of Acquisition Mgmt—MA,
Arlington, VA
Barry S. Lineback,
Director, Business Operations.
If the Committee approves the
proposed additions, the entities of the
Federal Government identified in this
notice will be required to procure the
products and service listed below from
nonprofit agencies employing persons
who are blind or have other severe
disabilities.
The following products and service
are proposed for addition to the
Procurement List for production by the
nonprofit agencies listed:
[FR Doc. 2014–24243 Filed 10–9–14; 8:45 am]
Products
PLACE:
Rice, Long Grain, Parboiled
NSN: 8920–01–E62–4281—6/10 lb. Pkgs
NSN: 8920–01–E62–4280—2/10 lb. Pkgs
NPA: Vision Corps, Lancaster, PA
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:09 Oct 09, 2014
Jkt 235001
BILLING CODE 6353–01–P
Decisional
Matter: Safety Standard Recreational
Off-Highway Vehicles—NPR.
A live webcast of the Meeting can be
viewed at www.cpsc.gov/live.
For a recorded message containing the
latest agenda information, call (301)
504–7948.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Todd A. Stevenson, Office of the
Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, 4330 East West
Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301)
504–7923.
MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED:
Dated: October 7, 2014.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2014–24336 Filed 10–8–14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 6355–01–P
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
COMMISSION
Sunshine Act Meeting
Wednesday October 22,
2014, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
PLACE: Hearing Room 420, Bethesda
Towers, 4330 East West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland.
STATUS: Commission Meeting—Open to
the Public.
MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Briefing
Matter: Safety Standard Recreational
Off-Highway Vehicles—NPR.
A live webcast of the Meeting can be
viewed at www.cpsc.gov/live.
For a recorded message containing the
latest agenda information, call (301)
504–7948.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Todd A. Stevenson, Office of the
Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, 4330 East West
Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301)
504–7923.
TIME AND DATE:
Dated: October 7, 2014.
Todd A. Stevenson,
Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2014–24337 Filed 10–8–14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 6355–01–P
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
COMMISSION
Sunshine Act Meeting
Wednesday October 29,
2014, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
TIME AND DATE:
Hearing Room 420, Bethesda
Towers, 4330 East West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland.
Commission Meeting—Open to
the Public.
STATUS:
PO 00000
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Revised Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
EA–18G Growler Airfield Operations at
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA
and Notice of Request for Public
Scoping Comments
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 197 / Friday, October 10, 2014 / Notices
This notice is to advise the
public that the Department of the Navy
(DoN) is revising the scope for the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for EA–18G Growler airfield operations
at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey
Island, Washington. This revised Notice
of Intent has been published because
since the September 5, 2013 publication
of the original Notice of Intent in the
Federal Register (78 FR 54635), the DoN
has modified its proposed action to
address a potential increase in the
number of EA–18G aircraft to be
procured and the subsequent changes in
the number of aircraft that would be
home based at NAS Whidbey Island.
The revised scope will evaluate the
potential environmental effects of
homebasing an additional 13 to 36 EA–
18G Growler aircraft at NAS Whidbey
Island and the effects of this home
basing on EA–18G Growler airfield
operations at Ault Field and Outlying
Landing Field (OLF) Coupeville.
Additional information concerning the
proposed scope changes is available on
the project Web site at
www.whidbeyeis.com.
The DoN invites comments on the
proposed scope and content of the EIS
from all interested parties. Comments
on the scope of the EIS may be provided
via the U.S. Postal Service or the EIS
Web site at: www.whidbeyeis.com. In
addition, the DoN will conduct open
house information sessions to obtain
comments on the scope of the EIS and
to identify specific environmental
concerns or topics for consideration.
Dates and Addresses: Three open
house information sessions will be held
between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on:
1. Tuesday, October 28, 2014,
Coupeville High School, 501 South
Main Street, Coupeville, Washington
98239.
2. Wednesday, October 29, 2014, Oak
Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 NE Ernst Street,
Oak Harbor, Washington 98277.
3. Thursday, October 30, 2014,
Anacortes High School Cafeteria, 1600
20th Street, Anacortes, Washington
98221.
Each of the three open house
information sessions will be informal
and consist of information stations
staffed by DoN representatives.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: EA–
18G EIS Project Manager (Code EV21/
SS); Naval Facilities Engineering
Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic, 6506
Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia
23508.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
NAS
Whidbey Island is the center of
excellence for electronic combat warfare
training (electronic surveillance and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:09 Oct 09, 2014
Jkt 235001
attack) and has supported the Navy’s
electronic attack (VAQ) community of
personnel, aircraft, equipment and
mission-related Navy functions since
1971. With the disestablishment of U.S.
Marine Corps electronic attack
capabilities, the DoD expeditionary
electronic attack mission is single-sited
at NAS Whidbey Island which
maximizes operational capabilities and
efficiencies without duplicating
facilities and functions at another
location.
NAS Whidbey Island provides
facilities and support services for nine
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) VAQ
squadrons, three Expeditionary (EXP)
VAQ squadrons, one Reserve squadron,
and one Fleet Replacement Squadron
(FRS). These squadrons are comprised
of EA–6B Prowler and EA–18G Growler
aircraft.
In 2005 and 2012, the DoN prepared
environmental analyses pursuant to the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969 for the replacement of
the EA–6B Prowler aircraft at NAS
Whidbey Island with the newer EA–18G
Growler aircraft. The 2005
Environmental Assessment (EA)
evaluated the environmental
consequences of transitioning CVW
VAQ squadrons (fleet squadrons) and
the FRS (training squadron) from the
EA–6B to the EA–18G aircraft and
disestablishing three EXP VAQ
squadrons. A subsequent EA in 2012
evaluated the environmental
consequences of retaining and
transitioning the three EXP VAQ
squadrons, previously proposed for
disestablishment, from EA–6B to EA–
18G aircraft and the relocation of a
reserve expeditionary VAQ squadron
from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
On September 5, 2013, the DoN
announced the preparation of an EIS for
EA–18G Growler airfield operations at
NAS Whidbey Island. In this EIS, the
DoN proposed to evaluate the potential
environmental effects associated with
the introduction of two additional EA–
18G Growler expeditionary squadrons
acquired under the DoD Appropriations
Act of 2014. During the public scoping
comment period, public meetings were
held December 3–5, 2013 in Coupeville,
Oak Harbor, and Anacortes,
Washington, and over 1,600 comments
from the public were collected.
In Spring 2014, the Chief of Naval
Operations submitted an Unfunded
Requirements List to Congress that
identified a need for 22 additional EA–
18G aircraft to be included in the
President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2015.
While it is unclear whether more
Growlers will be procured, the DoN has
decided to analyze the potential growth
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
61297
to ensure full transparency with the
public and to ensure the local
community has adequate opportunity to
participate in the NEPA process.
Accordingly, the DoN will assess the
potential environmental impacts of the
proposed force structure changes to the
electronic attack community and home
basing of additional EA–18G aircraft at
NAS Whidbey Island by re-scoping the
EIS effort currently underway.
To meet current and future
requirements, the DoN proposes to: (1)
Continue and expand the existing
electronic attack operations at NAS
Whidbey Island complex, which
includes Ault Field and OLF Coupeville
(including a range of Field Carrier
Landing Practice (FCLP) operations); (2)
increase electronic attack capabilities
and augment the VAQ FRS (provide for
an increase of between 13 and 36
aircraft) to support an expanded DoD
mission for identifying, tracking and
targeting in a complex electronic
warfare environment; (3) construct and
renovate facilities at Ault Field to
accommodate additional aircraft; and (4)
station additional personnel and their
family members at NAS Whidbey Island
and in the surrounding community.
The revised scope of the EIS will
address the No Action Alternative and
four action alternatives. Under the No
Action Alternative, the DoN would not
add VAQ squadrons or aircraft to NAS
Whidbey Island to improve the Navy’s
Electronic Attack capability. Legacy
EA–6B Prowlers would continue to
gradually transition to next generation
EA–18G Growler aircraft (82 aircraft)
and annual EA–18G Growler airfield
operations would be maintained at
levels consistent with those identified
in the 2005 and 2012 transition EAs.
While the No Action Alternative does
not meet the purpose of and need for the
proposed action, it serves as a baseline
against which impacts of the proposed
action can be evaluated.
The DoN will analyze the potential
environmental impacts of airfield
operations (including FCLP for CVW
and FRS squadrons at Ault Field and
OLF Coupeville), facilities and
functions associated with four force
structure alternatives:
1. Alternative 1: Expand EXP
electronic attack capabilities by
establishing two new EXP VAQ
squadrons and augmenting the FRS by
three additional aircraft (a net increase
of 13 aircraft);
2. Alternative 2: Expand CVW
electronic attack capabilities by adding
two additional aircraft to each existing
CVW VAQ squadron and augmenting
the FRS by six additional aircraft (a net
increase of 24 aircraft);
E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM
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mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
61298
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 197 / Friday, October 10, 2014 / Notices
3. Alternative 3: Expand CVW
capabilities by adding three additional
aircraft to each existing CVW VAQ
squadron and augmenting the FRS by
eight additional aircraft (a net increase
of 35 aircraft); and
4. Alternative 4: Expand EXP and
CVW capabilities by establishing two
new EXP VAQ squadrons, adding two
additional aircraft to each existing CVW
VAQ squadron, and augmenting the FRS
by eight additional aircraft (a net
increase of 36 aircraft).
In developing the proposed range of
alternatives, the DoN utilized longestablished operational considerations
which are more fully described in the
2005 and 2012 EAs for the replacement
of the EA–6B Prowler aircraft with the
newer EA–18G Growler aircraft at NAS
Whidbey Island. These considerations
include the fact that all of the Navy’s
electronic attack mission and training
facilities are located at NAS Whidbey
Island, including the substantial
infrastructure and training ranges that
have developed in more than 40 years
of operation, the location of a suitable
airfield that provides for the most
realistic training environment, the
distance aircraft would have to travel to
accomplish training, and the expense of
duplicating existing capabilities
elsewhere. As a result, the DoN is not
considering alternative locations for
FCLP training, or squadron relocation.
Short-term detachments to meet training
requirements would continue, as
needed.
The environmental analysis in the EIS
will focus on several aspects of the
proposed action: aircraft operations at
Ault Field and OLF Coupeville; facility
construction; and personnel changes.
Resource areas to be addressed in the
EIS will include, but not be limited to:
Air quality, noise, land use,
socioeconomics, natural resources,
biological resources, cultural resources,
and safety and environmental hazards.
The analysis will evaluate direct and
indirect impacts, and will account for
cumulative impacts from other relevant
activities near the installation. Relevant
and reasonable measures that could
avoid or mitigate environmental effects
will also be analyzed. Additionally, the
DoN will undertake consultations
applicable by law and regulation.
As outlined in 36 CFR Part 800,
‘‘Protection of Historic Properties,’’ the
DoN plans to comply with Section 106
of the National Historic Preservation Act
of 1966, as amended (NHPA), in
conjunction with the NEPA process.
The Section 106 process will include
consultation with the State Historic
Preservation Officer, Native American
Tribes and Nations, other parties with a
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:09 Oct 09, 2014
Jkt 235001
demonstrated interest in cultural
resources for the project, and the
Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation. Pursuant to 36 CFR
800.2(d), the DoN intends to use the
public scoping open house meetings to
facilitate public involvement pursuant
to Section 106 of the NHPA. The DoN
will present information about cultural
resources and the Section 106 process
for the project at the public scoping
open house meetings. Comments on
cultural resources or Section 106 issues
or concerns that are received from the
public during the scoping process will
be addressed as part of the Section 106
process.
No decision will be made to
implement any alternative until the EIS
process is completed and a Record of
Decision is signed by the Assistant
Secretary of the Navy (Energy,
Installations and Environment) or
designee. The scoping process will be
used to identify community concerns
and local issues to be addressed in the
EIS. Federal agencies, state agencies,
local agencies, Native American Indian
Tribes and Nations, the public, and
interested persons are encouraged to
provide comments to the DoN to
identify specific issues or topics of
environmental concern that the
commenter believes the DoN should
consider. All comments provided orally
or in writing at the scoping meetings or
by mail during the scoping period will
receive the same consideration during
EIS preparation. All comments must be
postmarked no later than November 17,
2014.
The DoN will not release the names,
street addresses, email addresses and
screen names, telephone numbers, or
other personally identifiable
information of individuals who provide
comments during scoping unless
required by law. However, the DoN may
release the city, state, and 5-digit zip
code of individuals who provide
comments. Each commenter making oral
comments at the a public scoping
meetings will be asked by the
stenographer if he/she otherwise elects
to authorize the release of their
personally identifiable information prior
to providing their comments.
Commenters submitting written
comments, either using comment forms
or via the project Web site, may elect to
authorize release of personally
identifiable information by checking a
‘‘release’’ box on the comment form.
To be included on the DoN’s mailing
list for the EIS (or to receive a copy of
the Draft EIS, when released), electronic
requests can be made on the project
Web site at www.whidbeyeis.com.
Requests via the U.S. Postal Service
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
should be submitted to: EA–18G EIS
Project Manager (Code EV21/SS); Naval
Facilities Engineering Command
(NAVFAC) Atlantic, 6506 Hampton
Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23508. The same
policy for release of personally
identifiable information as identified
above for scoping comments will be
maintained by DoN for individuals
requesting to be included on the EIS
mailing list.
Dated: October 6, 2014.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate
General, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison
Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014–24223 Filed 10–9–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Availability of Record of
Decision for the Final Environmental
Impact Statement for U.S. Navy F–35C
West Coast Homebasing
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Department of the Navy,
after carefully weighing the strategic,
operational, and environmental
consequences of the proposed action,
announces its decision to provide
facilities and functions to support
homebasing of F–35C aircraft at Naval
Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California,
by accomplishing the proposed action
as set out in Alternative 2 of the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
for U.S. Navy F–35C West Coast
Homebasing. Under Alternative 2, a
total of 100 F–35C aircraft in seven
Navy Pacific Fleet squadrons (10 aircraft
per squadron) and the Fleet
Replacement Squadron (30 aircraft) will
be homebased at NAS Lemoore
beginning in 2016. The proposed action
will be completed in the 2028
timeframe. The 100 F–35C aircraft will
replace 70 aging FA–18 Hornet aircraft.
As a result, aircraft loading at NAS
Lemoore will gradually increase by a net
of 30 aircraft over the 13-year period.
There will be no changes in aircraft
loading at Naval Air Facility (NAF) El
Centro, California, under Alternative 2.
Homebasing the F–35C at NAS Lemoore
will result in an increase of
approximately 68,400 operations per
year at NAS Lemoore and an increase of
approximately 800 operations per year
at NAF El Centro.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
complete text of the Record of Decision
(ROD) is available on the project Web
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 197 (Friday, October 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61296-61298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24223]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Revised Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for EA-18G Growler Airfield Operations at Naval Air Station
Whidbey Island, WA and Notice of Request for Public Scoping Comments
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 61297]]
SUMMARY: This notice is to advise the public that the Department of the
Navy (DoN) is revising the scope for the Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for EA-18G Growler airfield operations at Naval Air Station (NAS)
Whidbey Island, Washington. This revised Notice of Intent has been
published because since the September 5, 2013 publication of the
original Notice of Intent in the Federal Register (78 FR 54635), the
DoN has modified its proposed action to address a potential increase in
the number of EA-18G aircraft to be procured and the subsequent changes
in the number of aircraft that would be home based at NAS Whidbey
Island. The revised scope will evaluate the potential environmental
effects of homebasing an additional 13 to 36 EA-18G Growler aircraft at
NAS Whidbey Island and the effects of this home basing on EA-18G
Growler airfield operations at Ault Field and Outlying Landing Field
(OLF) Coupeville. Additional information concerning the proposed scope
changes is available on the project Web site at www.whidbeyeis.com.
The DoN invites comments on the proposed scope and content of the
EIS from all interested parties. Comments on the scope of the EIS may
be provided via the U.S. Postal Service or the EIS Web site at:
www.whidbeyeis.com. In addition, the DoN will conduct open house
information sessions to obtain comments on the scope of the EIS and to
identify specific environmental concerns or topics for consideration.
Dates and Addresses: Three open house information sessions will be
held between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on:
1. Tuesday, October 28, 2014, Coupeville High School, 501 South
Main Street, Coupeville, Washington 98239.
2. Wednesday, October 29, 2014, Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 NE Ernst
Street, Oak Harbor, Washington 98277.
3. Thursday, October 30, 2014, Anacortes High School Cafeteria,
1600 20th Street, Anacortes, Washington 98221.
Each of the three open house information sessions will be informal
and consist of information stations staffed by DoN representatives.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: EA-18G EIS Project Manager (Code EV21/
SS); Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic, 6506
Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NAS Whidbey Island is the center of
excellence for electronic combat warfare training (electronic
surveillance and attack) and has supported the Navy's electronic attack
(VAQ) community of personnel, aircraft, equipment and mission-related
Navy functions since 1971. With the disestablishment of U.S. Marine
Corps electronic attack capabilities, the DoD expeditionary electronic
attack mission is single-sited at NAS Whidbey Island which maximizes
operational capabilities and efficiencies without duplicating
facilities and functions at another location.
NAS Whidbey Island provides facilities and support services for
nine Carrier Air Wing (CVW) VAQ squadrons, three Expeditionary (EXP)
VAQ squadrons, one Reserve squadron, and one Fleet Replacement Squadron
(FRS). These squadrons are comprised of EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G
Growler aircraft.
In 2005 and 2012, the DoN prepared environmental analyses pursuant
to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 for the
replacement of the EA-6B Prowler aircraft at NAS Whidbey Island with
the newer EA-18G Growler aircraft. The 2005 Environmental Assessment
(EA) evaluated the environmental consequences of transitioning CVW VAQ
squadrons (fleet squadrons) and the FRS (training squadron) from the
EA-6B to the EA-18G aircraft and disestablishing three EXP VAQ
squadrons. A subsequent EA in 2012 evaluated the environmental
consequences of retaining and transitioning the three EXP VAQ
squadrons, previously proposed for disestablishment, from EA-6B to EA-
18G aircraft and the relocation of a reserve expeditionary VAQ squadron
from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
On September 5, 2013, the DoN announced the preparation of an EIS
for EA-18G Growler airfield operations at NAS Whidbey Island. In this
EIS, the DoN proposed to evaluate the potential environmental effects
associated with the introduction of two additional EA-18G Growler
expeditionary squadrons acquired under the DoD Appropriations Act of
2014. During the public scoping comment period, public meetings were
held December 3-5, 2013 in Coupeville, Oak Harbor, and Anacortes,
Washington, and over 1,600 comments from the public were collected.
In Spring 2014, the Chief of Naval Operations submitted an Unfunded
Requirements List to Congress that identified a need for 22 additional
EA-18G aircraft to be included in the President's Budget for Fiscal
Year 2015. While it is unclear whether more Growlers will be procured,
the DoN has decided to analyze the potential growth to ensure full
transparency with the public and to ensure the local community has
adequate opportunity to participate in the NEPA process. Accordingly,
the DoN will assess the potential environmental impacts of the proposed
force structure changes to the electronic attack community and home
basing of additional EA-18G aircraft at NAS Whidbey Island by re-
scoping the EIS effort currently underway.
To meet current and future requirements, the DoN proposes to: (1)
Continue and expand the existing electronic attack operations at NAS
Whidbey Island complex, which includes Ault Field and OLF Coupeville
(including a range of Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP)
operations); (2) increase electronic attack capabilities and augment
the VAQ FRS (provide for an increase of between 13 and 36 aircraft) to
support an expanded DoD mission for identifying, tracking and targeting
in a complex electronic warfare environment; (3) construct and renovate
facilities at Ault Field to accommodate additional aircraft; and (4)
station additional personnel and their family members at NAS Whidbey
Island and in the surrounding community.
The revised scope of the EIS will address the No Action Alternative
and four action alternatives. Under the No Action Alternative, the DoN
would not add VAQ squadrons or aircraft to NAS Whidbey Island to
improve the Navy's Electronic Attack capability. Legacy EA-6B Prowlers
would continue to gradually transition to next generation EA-18G
Growler aircraft (82 aircraft) and annual EA-18G Growler airfield
operations would be maintained at levels consistent with those
identified in the 2005 and 2012 transition EAs. While the No Action
Alternative does not meet the purpose of and need for the proposed
action, it serves as a baseline against which impacts of the proposed
action can be evaluated.
The DoN will analyze the potential environmental impacts of
airfield operations (including FCLP for CVW and FRS squadrons at Ault
Field and OLF Coupeville), facilities and functions associated with
four force structure alternatives:
1. Alternative 1: Expand EXP electronic attack capabilities by
establishing two new EXP VAQ squadrons and augmenting the FRS by three
additional aircraft (a net increase of 13 aircraft);
2. Alternative 2: Expand CVW electronic attack capabilities by
adding two additional aircraft to each existing CVW VAQ squadron and
augmenting the FRS by six additional aircraft (a net increase of 24
aircraft);
[[Page 61298]]
3. Alternative 3: Expand CVW capabilities by adding three
additional aircraft to each existing CVW VAQ squadron and augmenting
the FRS by eight additional aircraft (a net increase of 35 aircraft);
and
4. Alternative 4: Expand EXP and CVW capabilities by establishing
two new EXP VAQ squadrons, adding two additional aircraft to each
existing CVW VAQ squadron, and augmenting the FRS by eight additional
aircraft (a net increase of 36 aircraft).
In developing the proposed range of alternatives, the DoN utilized
long-established operational considerations which are more fully
described in the 2005 and 2012 EAs for the replacement of the EA-6B
Prowler aircraft with the newer EA-18G Growler aircraft at NAS Whidbey
Island. These considerations include the fact that all of the Navy's
electronic attack mission and training facilities are located at NAS
Whidbey Island, including the substantial infrastructure and training
ranges that have developed in more than 40 years of operation, the
location of a suitable airfield that provides for the most realistic
training environment, the distance aircraft would have to travel to
accomplish training, and the expense of duplicating existing
capabilities elsewhere. As a result, the DoN is not considering
alternative locations for FCLP training, or squadron relocation. Short-
term detachments to meet training requirements would continue, as
needed.
The environmental analysis in the EIS will focus on several aspects
of the proposed action: aircraft operations at Ault Field and OLF
Coupeville; facility construction; and personnel changes. Resource
areas to be addressed in the EIS will include, but not be limited to:
Air quality, noise, land use, socioeconomics, natural resources,
biological resources, cultural resources, and safety and environmental
hazards.
The analysis will evaluate direct and indirect impacts, and will
account for cumulative impacts from other relevant activities near the
installation. Relevant and reasonable measures that could avoid or
mitigate environmental effects will also be analyzed. Additionally, the
DoN will undertake consultations applicable by law and regulation.
As outlined in 36 CFR Part 800, ``Protection of Historic
Properties,'' the DoN plans to comply with Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA), in conjunction
with the NEPA process. The Section 106 process will include
consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, Native
American Tribes and Nations, other parties with a demonstrated interest
in cultural resources for the project, and the Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation. Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d), the DoN intends to
use the public scoping open house meetings to facilitate public
involvement pursuant to Section 106 of the NHPA. The DoN will present
information about cultural resources and the Section 106 process for
the project at the public scoping open house meetings. Comments on
cultural resources or Section 106 issues or concerns that are received
from the public during the scoping process will be addressed as part of
the Section 106 process.
No decision will be made to implement any alternative until the EIS
process is completed and a Record of Decision is signed by the
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment)
or designee. The scoping process will be used to identify community
concerns and local issues to be addressed in the EIS. Federal agencies,
state agencies, local agencies, Native American Indian Tribes and
Nations, the public, and interested persons are encouraged to provide
comments to the DoN to identify specific issues or topics of
environmental concern that the commenter believes the DoN should
consider. All comments provided orally or in writing at the scoping
meetings or by mail during the scoping period will receive the same
consideration during EIS preparation. All comments must be postmarked
no later than November 17, 2014.
The DoN will not release the names, street addresses, email
addresses and screen names, telephone numbers, or other personally
identifiable information of individuals who provide comments during
scoping unless required by law. However, the DoN may release the city,
state, and 5-digit zip code of individuals who provide comments. Each
commenter making oral comments at the a public scoping meetings will be
asked by the stenographer if he/she otherwise elects to authorize the
release of their personally identifiable information prior to providing
their comments. Commenters submitting written comments, either using
comment forms or via the project Web site, may elect to authorize
release of personally identifiable information by checking a
``release'' box on the comment form.
To be included on the DoN's mailing list for the EIS (or to receive
a copy of the Draft EIS, when released), electronic requests can be
made on the project Web site at www.whidbeyeis.com. Requests via the
U.S. Postal Service should be submitted to: EA-18G EIS Project Manager
(Code EV21/SS); Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic,
6506 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23508. The same policy for release of
personally identifiable information as identified above for scoping
comments will be maintained by DoN for individuals requesting to be
included on the EIS mailing list.
Dated: October 6, 2014.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal
Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-24223 Filed 10-9-14; 8:45 am]
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