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]


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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
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