Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for the Virginia Capes Range Complex and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings, 71143-71145 [E6-20846]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 236 / Friday, December 8, 2006 / Notices
condition of environmental resources in
and around areas considered for
development, and potential impacts on
those resources as a result of
implementing the alternatives. The
alternatives considered in detail are: (1)
Proposed Project/Proposed Action (i.e.,
Proposed Project Alternative), the
Applicants’ Preferred Alternative; (2)
High Density (Increased Densities
Consistent with Sacramento Area
Council of Governments Blueprint); (3)
Impact Minimization; (4) No Federal
Action (No Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act Permit); and (5) No Project/
No Action (No development).
DATES: All written comments must be
postmarked on or before February 5,
2007. A public hearing will be held on
a date to be determined following the
close of the comment period; notice of
this hearing will be sent to all
appropriate parties at a later date.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be
submitted in writing to: Anna Sutton,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Sacramento District, Regulatory Branch,
1325 J Street, Room 1480, Sacramento,
CA 95814–2922, or via e-mail to
Anna.M.Sutton@spk01.usace.army. mil.
Oral and written comments may also be
submitted at the public hearing
described in the DATES section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anna Sutton at (916) 557–7759 or via email at
Anna.M.Sutton@spk01.usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Elliott
Homes and GenCorp Realty Investments
(GenCorp), the project applicant(s), are
seeking adoption by the City of Rancho
Cordova of the proposed Rio del Oro
Specific Plan. Elliott Homes is seeking
specific development entitlements (e.g.,
tentative subdivision maps); GenCorp is
seeking overall development
entitlements, but has not proposed
specific development entitlements
necessary for immediate or short-term
development. Both Elliott Homes and
GenCorp are also seeking authorization
from USACE to place dredged or fill
material into waters of the United
States.
Five alternatives are evaluated in
detail in the DEIS. Under the Proposed
Project/Proposed Action (Proposed
Project Alternative), buildout of the
project would be split into five phases
and is anticipated to occur over a 25- to
30-year period. The project provides for
construction of approximately 11,601
residential dwelling units in three
residential land use classifications on
1,920 acres, along with commercial land
uses, neighborhood parks and other uses
such as a landscape corridor and
greenbelt, and several public schools.
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New utilities and communications
infrastructure would be installed and
new roadways and on- and off-site
infrastructure improvements would be
completed. The project designates a
507-acre wetland preserve area and two
elderberry preserve areas on the project
site. The four alternatives to the
Proposed Project/Proposed Action are
described briefly below.
(1) The High Density Alternative
embraces the concept of ‘‘Smart
Growth,’’ consistent with the
Sacramento Area Council of
Governments’ Regional Blueprint
Project. Under Smart Growth principles,
areas planned for development are
developed at higher densities. Although
these higher densities may result in
greater localized impacts on resources,
the overall area of disturbance is
reduced by concentrating development
in particular locations. The total acreage
of residential development would be the
same under this alternative as under the
Proposed Project/Proposed Action, but
approximately 3,800 additional
residential units would be constructed.
The acreage of commercial and
industrial development as well as the
wetland preserve would be the same.
(2) The Impact Minimization
Alternative would reconfigure project
components to reduce impacts on
waters of the United States, including
wetlands and high-quality biological
habitat. An additional 485 acres of the
project site would be designated as part
of the protected wetland preserve; as a
result, approximately 25% of the project
site would become a part of the wetland
preserve. The total acreage of residential
development would be reduced by
approximately 470 acres and
approximately 1,040 fewer residential
units would be constructed, although
overall density would increase because
a greater proportion of residential
acreage would be developed with
medium and high density. Commercial
and industrial development sites would
be slightly reduced.
(3) The No Federal Action Alternative
was designed to allow some
development of the project site while
avoiding the placement of dredged or
fill material into waters of the United
States. Under this alternative, 872 acres
of the project site would be designated
‘‘Natural Resources’’ under the City of
Rancho Cordova General Plan. Land
with this use designation is set aside as
natural habitat with no urban
development; public access into this
area would be prohibited. The types of
land uses would remain the same as
under the Proposed Project/Proposed
Action.
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71143
(4) The No Project/No Action
Alternative would preclude
development of the project; under this
alternative the majority of the project
site would remain under the jurisdiction
of the City of Rancho Cordova. This
alternative assumes that aggregate
mining operations to remove portions of
existing dredge tailings at the project
site would continue under existing
Conditional Use Permits. Aggregate
mining operations are not part of the Rio
del Oro project.
USACE invites full public
participation to promote open
communication and better decisionmaking. All persons and organizations
that have an interest in the Rio del Oro
Specific Plan Project are urged to
participate in the NEPA process. A
public hearing will be held as described
in the DATES section. This hearing will
be announced in advance through
notices, media news releases, and/or
mailings.
Copies of the DEIS may be reviewed
at the following locations:
1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Sacramento District Web site: https://
www.spk.usace.army.mil/organizations/
cespk-co/regulatory/.
2. City of Rancho Cordova City Hall,
2729 Prospect Park Drive, Rancho
Cordova, CA 95670.
3. City of Rancho Cordova Planning
Department Web site: https://
www.cityofranchocordova.org/
city_departments/planning_main.html.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 06–9597 Filed 12–7–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–EZ–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement for the Virginia Capes
Range Complex and Notice of Public
Scoping Meetings
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section
(102)(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations (40
CFR Parts 1500–1508), and Executive
Order 12114, the Department of the
Navy (DON) announces its intent to
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS)/Overseas EIS (OEIS) to
evaluate the potential environmental
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sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
71144
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 236 / Friday, December 8, 2006 / Notices
consequences associated with naval
training in the Virginia Capes
(VACAPES) Range Complex. The DON
proposes to support and conduct
current and emerging training
operations and research, development,
testing, and evaluation (RDT&E)
operations in the VACAPES Range
Complex by: (1) Maintaining baseline
operations at current levels; (2)
increasing training operations from
current levels as necessary to support
the Fleet Readiness Training Plan; (3)
accommodating mission requirements
associated with force structure change;
and (4) implementing enhanced range
complex capabilities. The EIS/OEIS
study area is the VACAPES Range
Complex which consists of targets and
instrumented areas, airspace, surface
and subsurface operations areas
(OPAREAs), and land range facilities.
Together the VACAPES Range Complex
encompasses: 15,143 acres of land area
(including 13,600 acres of land area for
ranges); 5,158 nm2 of special use
airspace (SUA) associated with land
ranges; 27,661 nm2 of offshore surface
and subsurface OPAREA; 9,589 nm2 of
shallow ocean area less than 100
fathoms (600 feet); 18,072 nm2 of deep
ocean areas greater than 100 fathoms;
330 nm2 of over water danger areas; and
28,672 nm2 of SUA warning areas. The
scope of actions to be analyzed in this
EIS/OEIS includes current and proposed
future Navy training and RDT&E
operations within Navy-controlled
operating areas, airspace, and ranges. It
also includes proposed Navy-funded
range capabilities enhancements,
including infrastructure improvements,
which support range complex training
and RDT&E operations. Training
activities that involve the use of active
sonar are conducted in the VACAPES
Range Complex; however, those
potential effects are being analyzed in
detail in a separate document, the
Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training
EIS/OEIS. This separate sonar EIS/OEIS
addresses active sonar use as a whole by
the Atlantic Fleet in the eastern Atlantic
Ocean (including waters that are part of
the VACAPES Range Complex), and in
the Gulf of Mexico. The results of this
sonar EIS/OEIS will be incorporated
into the VACAPES Range Complex EIS/
OEIS to account for active sonar effects
that could occur within the geographic
area of the VACAPES Range Complex.
The DON will request the National
Marine Fisheries Service to be a
cooperating agency in the preparation of
this EIS/OEIS.
Dates and Addresses: Public scoping
meetings will be held at the following
four sites to receive oral and written
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19:05 Dec 07, 2006
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comments on environmental concerns
that should be addressed in the EIS/
OEIS: Salisbury, MD; Chincoteague
Island, VA; Virginia Beach, VA; and
Nags Head, NC. Public scoping open
houses are scheduled below:
1. January 8, 2007, from 5 p.m. to 8
p.m. at James M. Bennett High School,
300 East College Avenue, Salisbury, MD
21804;
2. January 9, 2007 from 5 p.m. to 8
p.m. at the Chincoteague Community
Center, 6155 Community Drive,
Chincoteague Island, VA 23336;
3. January 10, 2007, from 5 p.m. to
8 p.m. at Lynnhaven Middle School,
1250 Bayne Drive, Virginia Beach, VA
23454; and
4. January 11, 2007 from 5 p.m. to
8 p.m. at the Comfort Inn Oceanfront
South, 8031 Old Oregon Inlet Road,
Nags Head, NC 27959.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Erin Swiader, Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Atlantic, 6506
Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA
23508–1278; telephone 757–322–4960;
facsimile 757–322–4894.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recent
world events have placed the U.S.
military on heightened alert in the
defense of the U.S., and in defense of
allied nations. At this time, the U.S.
military, and specifically the U.S. Navy,
is actively engaged in anti-terrorism
efforts around the globe. The Navy’s
mission is to maintain, train, and equip
combat-ready naval forces capable of
winning wars, deterring aggression, and
maintaining freedom of the seas. For
that reason, 10 U.S.C. § 5062 directs the
Chief of Naval Operations to train all
naval forces for combat. Therefore,
naval forces must have access to ranges,
OPAREAs and airspace where they can
develop and maintain skills for wartime
missions and conduct RDT&E of naval
weapons systems. As such, Navy ranges,
OPAREAs, and airspace must be
maintained and/or enhanced to
accommodate necessary training and
testing activities in support of national
security objectives.
The purpose of the proposed action is
to: Achieve and maintain Fleet
readiness using the VACAPES Range
Complex to support and conduct
current, emerging, and future training
operations, and RDT&E operations;
expand warfare missions; and upgrade/
modernize existing range capabilities to
enhance and sustain Navy and Marine
Corps training and testing.
The need for the proposed action is to
provide combat capable forces ready to
deploy worldwide in accordance with
10 U.S.C. § 5062. Specifically, maintain
current levels of military readiness by
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training in the VACAPES Range
Complex; accommodate future increases
in operational training tempo in the
VACAPES Range Complex and support
the rapid deployment of naval units or
strike groups; achieve and sustain
readiness in ships and squadrons so that
the DON can quickly surge significant
combat power in the event of a national
crisis or contingency operation and
consistent with FRTP; support the
testing and training needed for new
platforms and weapons systems; and
maintain the long-term viability of the
VACAPES Range Complex while
protecting human health and the
environment, and enhancing the quality
and communication capability and
safety of the VACAPES Range Complex.
Three alternatives will be evaluated in
the EIS/OEIS including:
(1) The No Action Alternative
comprised of baseline operations and
support of existing range capabilities;
(2) Alternative 1 comprised of the No
Action Alternative plus additional
operations and/or expanded warfare
missions on upgraded, modernized, or
existing ranges; and
(3) Alternative 1 plus a construction
and operation of an instrumented
minefield training area.
The EIS/OEIS will evaluate the
environmental effects associated with:
Airspace; noise; range safety; natural
land resources; water resources; air
quality; biological resources, including
threatened and endangered species;
land use; socioeconomic resources;
infrastructure; and cultural resources.
The analysis will include an evaluation
of direct and indirect impacts, and will
account for cumulative impacts from
other DON activities in the VACAPES
Range Complex. No decision will be
made to implement any alternative until
the EIS/OEIS process is completed and
a Record of Decision is signed by the
Assistant Secretary of the Navy
(Installations and Environment).
The DON is initiating the scoping
process to identify community concerns
and local issues to be addressed in the
EIS/OEIS. Federal agencies, state
agencies, local agencies, and interested
persons are encouraged to provide oral
and/or written comments to the DON to
identify specific issues or topics of
environmental concern that should be
addressed in the EIS/OEIS. Written
comments must be postmarked by
January 23, 2007, and should be mailed
to: Naval Facilities Engineering
Command, Atlantic, 6506 Hampton
Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23508–1278,
Attention: Code EV21JS (Ms. Erin
Swiader), telephone 757–322–4960,
facsimile 757–322–4894.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 236 / Friday, December 8, 2006 / Notices
Dated: December 4, 2006.
M.A. Harvison,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate
General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E6–20846 Filed 12–7–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
Department of Education.
The Acting Leader,
Information Policy and Standards Team,
Regulatory Information Management
Services, Office of Management invites
comments on the submission for OMB
review as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before January
8, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be addressed to the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Attention: Rachel Potter, Desk Officer,
Department of Education, Office of
Management and Budget, 725 17th
Street, NW., Room 10222, New
Executive Office Building, Washington,
DC 20503 or faxed to (202) 395–6974.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires
that the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) provide interested
Federal agencies and the public an early
opportunity to comment on information
collection requests. OMB may amend or
waive the requirement for public
consultation to the extent that public
participation in the approval process
would defeat the purpose of the
information collection, violate State or
Federal law, or substantially interfere
with any agency’s ability to perform its
statutory obligations. The Acting
Leader, Information Policy and
Standards Team, Regulatory Information
Management Services, Office of
Management, publishes that notice
containing proposed information
collection requests prior to submission
of these requests to OMB. Each
proposed information collection,
grouped by office, contains the
following: (1) Type of review requested,
e.g., new, revision, extension, existing
or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary
of the collection; (4) Description of the
need for, and proposed use of, the
information; (5) Respondents and
frequency of collection; and (6)
Reporting and/or Recordkeeping
burden. OMB invites public comment.
AGENCY:
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SUMMARY:
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71145
Dated: December 4, 2006.
Dianne M. Novick,
Acting Leader, Information Policy and
Standards Team, Regulatory Information
Management Services Office of Management.
Regulatory Information Management
Services, Office of Management, invites
comments on the proposed information
collection requests as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Institute of Education Sciences
Type of Review: Revision.
Title: Schools and Staffing Survey
2007.
Frequency: Other: one-time.
Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal
Gov’t, SEAs or LEAs; Businesses or
other for-profit; Not-for-profit
institutions.
Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour
Burden:
Responses: 124,906.
Burden Hours: 70,775.
Abstract: The Schools and Staffing
Survey is a nationally and state
representative survey of teachers,
principals, schools and school districts.
Respondents include public and private
school principals, teachers and school
and LEA staff persons. Topics covered
include characteristics of teachers,
principals, schools, school libraries,
teacher training opportunities,
retention, retirement, hiring, and
shortages.
Requests for copies of the information
collection submission for OMB review
may be accessed from https://
edicsweb.ed.gov, by selecting the
‘‘Browse Pending Collections’’ link and
by clicking on link number 3191. When
you access the information collection,
click on ‘‘Download Attachments ‘‘ to
view. Written requests for information
should be addressed to U.S. Department
of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue,
SW., Potomac Center, 9th Floor,
Washington, DC 20202–4700. Requests
may also be electronically mailed to
ICDocketMgr@ed.gov or faxed to 202–
245–6623. Please specify the complete
title of the information collection when
making your request.
Comments regarding burden and/or
the collection activity requirements
should be electronically mailed to
ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Individuals who
use a telecommunications device for the
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–
800–877–8339.
DATES:
[FR Doc. E6–20887 Filed 12–7–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Notice of Proposed Information
Collection Requests
Department of Education.
SUMMARY: The Acting Leader,
Information Policy and Standards Team,
AGENCY:
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Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before February
6, 2007.
Section
3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires
that the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) provide interested
Federal agencies and the public an early
opportunity to comment on information
collection requests. OMB may amend or
waive the requirement for public
consultation to the extent that public
participation in the approval process
would defeat the purpose of the
information collection, violate State or
Federal law, or substantially interfere
with any agency’s ability to perform its
statutory obligations. The Acting
Leader, Information Policy and
Standards Team, Regulatory Information
Management Services, Office of
Management, publishes that notice
containing proposed information
collection requests prior to submission
of these requests to OMB. Each
proposed information collection,
grouped by office, contains the
following: (1) Type of review requested,
e.g., new, revision, extension, existing
or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary
of the collection; (4) Description of the
need for, and proposed use of, the
information; (5) Respondents and
frequency of collection; and (6)
Reporting and/or Recordkeeping
burden. OMB invites public comment.
The Department of Education is
especially interested in public comment
addressing the following issues: (1) Is
this collection necessary to the proper
functions of the Department; (2) will
this information be processed and used
in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate
of burden accurate; (4) how might the
Department enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (5) how might the
Department minimize the burden of this
collection on the respondents, including
through the use of information
technology.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: December 4, 2006.
Dianne M. Novick,
Acting Leader, Information Policy and
Standards Team, Regulatory Information
Management Services, Office of Management.
Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services
Type of Review: Reinstatement.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 236 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71143-71145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20846]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for the Virginia Capes Range
Complex and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section (102)(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and
Executive Order 12114, the Department of the Navy (DON) announces its
intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Overseas EIS
(OEIS) to evaluate the potential environmental
[[Page 71144]]
consequences associated with naval training in the Virginia Capes
(VACAPES) Range Complex. The DON proposes to support and conduct
current and emerging training operations and research, development,
testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) operations in the VACAPES Range Complex
by: (1) Maintaining baseline operations at current levels; (2)
increasing training operations from current levels as necessary to
support the Fleet Readiness Training Plan; (3) accommodating mission
requirements associated with force structure change; and (4)
implementing enhanced range complex capabilities. The EIS/OEIS study
area is the VACAPES Range Complex which consists of targets and
instrumented areas, airspace, surface and subsurface operations areas
(OPAREAs), and land range facilities. Together the VACAPES Range
Complex encompasses: 15,143 acres of land area (including 13,600 acres
of land area for ranges); 5,158 nm2 of special use airspace
(SUA) associated with land ranges; 27,661 nm2 of offshore
surface and subsurface OPAREA; 9,589 nm2 of shallow ocean
area less than 100 fathoms (600 feet); 18,072 nm2 of deep
ocean areas greater than 100 fathoms; 330 nm2 of over water
danger areas; and 28,672 nm2 of SUA warning areas. The scope
of actions to be analyzed in this EIS/OEIS includes current and
proposed future Navy training and RDT&E operations within Navy-
controlled operating areas, airspace, and ranges. It also includes
proposed Navy-funded range capabilities enhancements, including
infrastructure improvements, which support range complex training and
RDT&E operations. Training activities that involve the use of active
sonar are conducted in the VACAPES Range Complex; however, those
potential effects are being analyzed in detail in a separate document,
the Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training EIS/OEIS. This separate sonar
EIS/OEIS addresses active sonar use as a whole by the Atlantic Fleet in
the eastern Atlantic Ocean (including waters that are part of the
VACAPES Range Complex), and in the Gulf of Mexico. The results of this
sonar EIS/OEIS will be incorporated into the VACAPES Range Complex EIS/
OEIS to account for active sonar effects that could occur within the
geographic area of the VACAPES Range Complex. The DON will request the
National Marine Fisheries Service to be a cooperating agency in the
preparation of this EIS/OEIS.
Dates and Addresses: Public scoping meetings will be held at the
following four sites to receive oral and written comments on
environmental concerns that should be addressed in the EIS/OEIS:
Salisbury, MD; Chincoteague Island, VA; Virginia Beach, VA; and Nags
Head, NC. Public scoping open houses are scheduled below:
1. January 8, 2007, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at James M. Bennett High
School, 300 East College Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804;
2. January 9, 2007 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Chincoteague
Community Center, 6155 Community Drive, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336;
3. January 10, 2007, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lynnhaven Middle
School, 1250 Bayne Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23454; and
4. January 11, 2007 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Comfort Inn
Oceanfront South, 8031 Old Oregon Inlet Road, Nags Head, NC 27959.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Erin Swiader, Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Atlantic, 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA
23508-1278; telephone 757-322-4960; facsimile 757-322-4894.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recent world events have placed the U.S.
military on heightened alert in the defense of the U.S., and in defense
of allied nations. At this time, the U.S. military, and specifically
the U.S. Navy, is actively engaged in anti-terrorism efforts around the
globe. The Navy's mission is to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready
naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and
maintaining freedom of the seas. For that reason, 10 U.S.C. Sec. 5062
directs the Chief of Naval Operations to train all naval forces for
combat. Therefore, naval forces must have access to ranges, OPAREAs and
airspace where they can develop and maintain skills for wartime
missions and conduct RDT&E of naval weapons systems. As such, Navy
ranges, OPAREAs, and airspace must be maintained and/or enhanced to
accommodate necessary training and testing activities in support of
national security objectives.
The purpose of the proposed action is to: Achieve and maintain
Fleet readiness using the VACAPES Range Complex to support and conduct
current, emerging, and future training operations, and RDT&E
operations; expand warfare missions; and upgrade/modernize existing
range capabilities to enhance and sustain Navy and Marine Corps
training and testing.
The need for the proposed action is to provide combat capable
forces ready to deploy worldwide in accordance with 10 U.S.C. Sec.
5062. Specifically, maintain current levels of military readiness by
training in the VACAPES Range Complex; accommodate future increases in
operational training tempo in the VACAPES Range Complex and support the
rapid deployment of naval units or strike groups; achieve and sustain
readiness in ships and squadrons so that the DON can quickly surge
significant combat power in the event of a national crisis or
contingency operation and consistent with FRTP; support the testing and
training needed for new platforms and weapons systems; and maintain the
long-term viability of the VACAPES Range Complex while protecting human
health and the environment, and enhancing the quality and communication
capability and safety of the VACAPES Range Complex.
Three alternatives will be evaluated in the EIS/OEIS including:
(1) The No Action Alternative comprised of baseline operations and
support of existing range capabilities;
(2) Alternative 1 comprised of the No Action Alternative plus
additional operations and/or expanded warfare missions on upgraded,
modernized, or existing ranges; and
(3) Alternative 1 plus a construction and operation of an
instrumented minefield training area.
The EIS/OEIS will evaluate the environmental effects associated with:
Airspace; noise; range safety; natural land resources; water resources;
air quality; biological resources, including threatened and endangered
species; land use; socioeconomic resources; infrastructure; and
cultural resources. The analysis will include an evaluation of direct
and indirect impacts, and will account for cumulative impacts from
other DON activities in the VACAPES Range Complex. No decision will be
made to implement any alternative until the EIS/OEIS process is
completed and a Record of Decision is signed by the Assistant Secretary
of the Navy (Installations and Environment).
The DON is initiating the scoping process to identify community
concerns and local issues to be addressed in the EIS/OEIS. Federal
agencies, state agencies, local agencies, and interested persons are
encouraged to provide oral and/or written comments to the DON to
identify specific issues or topics of environmental concern that should
be addressed in the EIS/OEIS. Written comments must be postmarked by
January 23, 2007, and should be mailed to: Naval Facilities Engineering
Command, Atlantic, 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23508-1278,
Attention: Code EV21JS (Ms. Erin Swiader), telephone 757-322-4960,
facsimile 757-322-4894.
[[Page 71145]]
Dated: December 4, 2006.
M.A. Harvison,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-20846 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
