Notice of Availability of Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for U.S. Navy F-35C West Coast Homebasing, 61298-61299 [2014-24224]
Download as PDF
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
10OCN1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 197 / Friday, October 10, 2014 / Notices
site at www.navyf35cwestcoasteis.com,
along with the Final EIS U.S. Navy F–
35C West Coast Homebasing, dated May
2014 and supporting documents. Single
copies of the ROD are available upon
request by contacting: U.S. Navy F–35C
EIS Project Manager, Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Southwest, Attn:
Code EV21.AK, 1220 Pacific Highway,
Building 1, 5th Floor, San Diego,
California 92132.
Dated: October 6, 2014.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate
General, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison
Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014–24224 Filed 10–9–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Hearing for the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Disposal and Reuse of Former
Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach,
Detachment Concord, Concord,
California
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969 (Pub. L. 91–190, 42 United States
Code [U.S.C.] 4321–4347), as
implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations
implementing NEPA (40 Code of
Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500–
1508), the Department of the Navy
(DoN) has prepared and filed the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
to evaluate the potential environmental
consequences associated with the
disposal of the former Naval Weapons
Station Seal Beach, Detachment
Concord, Concord, California (NWS
Concord), and its subsequent reuse by
the local community. The DoN is
initiating a 45-day public comment
period to provide the community an
opportunity to comment on the Draft
EIS. Federal, state, and local elected
officials and agencies and the public are
encouraged to provide written
comments. A public meeting will also
be held to provide information and
receive written comments on the Draft
EIS.
Dates and Addresses: An open house
public meeting will be held at the
location listed below and will allow
individuals to review and comment on
the information presented in the Draft
EIS. DoN representatives will be
available during the open house to
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:09 Oct 09, 2014
Jkt 235001
clarify information presented in the
Draft EIS as necessary. There will not be
a formal presentation.
Thursday, November 13, 2014 (4:00
p.m. to 8:00 p.m.), Concord Senior
Citizens Center (Wisteria Room), 2727
Parkside Circle, Concord, California
94519.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Director, NAVFAC BRAC PMO West,
Attn: Ms. Erica Spinelli, NEPA Project
Manager, 1455 Frazee Road, Suite 900,
San Diego, California 92108–4310,
telephone: 619–532–0980, fax: 619–
532–0995; email: erica.spinelli@
navy.mil.
For more information on the NWS
Concord EIS, visit the Navy BRAC PMO
Web site (https://
www.bracpmo.navy.mil/).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DoN
has prepared the Draft EIS for the
Disposal and Reuse of the Former NWS
Concord in accordance with the
requirements of NEPA (42 U.S.C.
Sections 4321–4347) and its
implementing regulations (40 CFR Parts
1500–1508). A Notice of Intent (NOI) to
prepare this Draft EIS was published in
the Federal Register on March 14, 2013
(Federal Register, Vol. 78, No. 50/
Friday, March 14, 2013/Notices). The
DoN is the lead agency for the proposed
action, with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers serving as a cooperating
agency for the preparation of this EIS.
The DoN closed the former NWS
Concord on September 30, 2008, in
accordance with Public Law (Pub. L.)
101–510, the Defense Base Closure and
Realignment Act (DBCRA) of 1990, as
amended in 2005. The DBCRA exempts
the decision-making process of the
Defense Base Closure and Realignment
Commission from the requirements of
NEPA. The DBCRA also relieves the
DoN from the NEPA requirements to
consider the need for closing,
realigning, or transferring functions and
from looking at alternative installations
to close or realign. However, in
accordance with NEPA, before
disposing of any real property, the DoN
must analyze the environmental effects
of the disposal.
The purpose of the proposed action is
to dispose of surplus property at the
former NWS Concord for subsequent
reuse in a manner consistent with the
policies adopted by the City of Concord
during reuse planning that took place
between 2008 and 2012. The need for
the proposed action is to provide the
local community the opportunity for
economic development and job creation.
The Draft EIS has considered two
redevelopment alternatives for the
disposal and reuse of NWS Concord.
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
61299
Both redevelopment alternatives would
be generally consistent with the policies
developed by the City of Concord
during the reuse planning process that
took place between 2008 and 2012. Both
alternatives focus on the preservation of
a significant amount of open space and
conservation areas, and sustainable
development characterized by walkable
neighborhoods, transit-oriented
development, and ‘‘complete streets’’
that balance multiple types of
transportation. Under both alternatives,
most installation facilities would be
demolished, and the western side of the
property would be developed as a series
of mixed-use ‘‘development districts,’’
with a higher concentration of
development at the north end, near
State Route 4 and the North Concord/
Martinez Bay Area Rapid Transit
Station. Redevelopment under either
alternative would include parks and
open spaces, best management practices
for stormwater management, and green
and sustainable design and planning
principles. Full build-out under either
alternative would be implemented over
a 25-year period. A No Action
alternative was also considered, as
required by NEPA and to provide a
point of comparison for assessing
impacts of the redevelopment
alternatives.
Alternative 1 includes the disposal of
the former NWS Concord by the DoN
and its reuse in a manner consistent
with the adopted Concord Reuse Project
(CRP) Area Plan. This alternative has
been identified as the Preferred
Alternative by the DoN. Under this
alternative, redevelopment of
approximately 2,500 acres of the former
installation property would take place
and would include a mix of land use
types and densities. This alternative
would also result in the preservation of
a significant area of open space and
conservation areas. The redevelopment
would include approximately 6.1
million square feet of commercial floor
space and up to 12,272 residential
housing units.
Alternative 2 provides for the disposal
of the former installation property by
the DoN and its reuse in a manner
similar to the Area Plan but with a
higher density of residential
development than under Alternative 1
and within a smaller footprint. Under
this alternative, redevelopment of
approximately 2,200 acres of the former
installation property with a mix of land
use types and densities would take
place. This alternative would also
include the preservation of a significant
amount of open space and conservation
areas. The alternative calls for
approximately 6.1 million square feet of
E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM
10OCN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 197 (Friday, October 10, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61298-61299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24224]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: 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
[[Page 61299]]
site at www.navyf35cwestcoasteis.com, along with the Final EIS U.S.
Navy F-35C West Coast Homebasing, dated May 2014 and supporting
documents. Single copies of the ROD are available upon request by
contacting: U.S. Navy F-35C EIS Project Manager, Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Southwest, Attn: Code EV21.AK, 1220 Pacific
Highway, Building 1, 5th Floor, San Diego, California 92132.
Dated: October 6, 2014.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal
Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-24224 Filed 10-9-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P