Notice of Public Hearings for the Navy Cherry Point Range Complex Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement, 52969-52972 [E8-21342]
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by the action proponent depends on the
nature of the proposal being evaluated.
One interpretation of the No-Action
alternative is that the proposed activity
would not take place. This would mean
that Navy would not conduct test or
training activities in the Range
Complex. This interpretation does not
meet the purpose and need of the
proposed action and would neither be
reasonable nor practical. The other
interpretation of the No-Action
alternative is ‘‘no change from current
management direction or level of
management intensity.’’ This
interpretation would meet the purpose
and need of the proposed action and
would allow the Navy to compare the
potential impacts of the proposed action
to the impacts of maintaining the status
quo. With regard to this EIS/OEIS, the
No-Action Alternative represents the
regular and historic level of activity on
the Range Complex. Thus, the NoAction Alternative serves as a baseline
‘‘status quo’’ when studying levels of
range use and activity. In the Draft EIS/
OEIS, the potential impacts of the
current level of RDT&E and fleet activity
on the NAVSEA NUWC Keyport Range
Complex (defined by the No-Action
Alternative) are compared to the
potential impacts of activities proposed
under the action alternatives.
The Navy analyzed potential effects of
its current and proposed activities on
marine mammals, fish, sea turtles,
marine flora and invertebrates,
terrestrial wildlife, sediments and water
quality, cultural resources, recreation,
land and shoreline use, public health
and safety, socioeconomics and
environmental justice, and air quality.
No significant adverse impacts are
identified for any resource area in any
geographic location within the NAVSEA
NUWC Keyport Range Complex Study
Area that cannot be mitigated, with the
exception of exposure of marine
mammals to underwater sound. The
Navy has requested from NMFS a Letter
of Authorization (LOA) in accordance
with the Marine Mammal Protection Act
to authorize the incidental take of
marine mammals that may result from
the implementation of the activities
analyzed in the NAVSEA NUWC
Keyport Range Complex Extension Draft
EIS/OEIS. In compliance with the
Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries
Conservation Management Act, the
Navy is in consultation with NMFS
regarding potential impacts to Essential
Fish Habitat. In accordance with section
7 of the Endangered Species Act, the
Navy is consulting with NMFS and U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for
potential impacts to federally listed
species. The Navy is coordinating with
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the Washington Department of Ecology
for a Coastal Consistency Determination
under the Coastal Zone Management
Act. Navy analysis has indicated that
under the Clean Air Act requirements,
no significant impacts would occur to
the regional air quality and under the
Clean Water Act there would be no
significant impacts to water quality.
National Historic Preservation Act
analysis indicated that no significant
impacts to cultural resources would
occur if the proposed action or
alternatives were implemented.
Implementation of the No Action
Alternative or any of the proposed
action alternatives would not disturb,
adversely affect, or result in any takes of
bald eagles. None of the alternatives
would result in a significant adverse
effect on the population of a migratory
bird species.
The decision to be made by the
Assistant Secretary of the Navy
(Installations & Environment) is to
determine which alternatives analyzed
in the EIS/OEIS best meet the needs of
the Navy given that all reasonably
foreseeable environmental impacts have
been considered.
The Draft EIS/OEIS was distributed to
Federal, State, and local agencies,
elected officials, and other interested
individuals and organizations on
September 12, 2008. The public
comment period will end on October 27,
2008. Copies of the Draft EIS/OEIS are
available for public review at the
following libraries:
• Aberdeen Timberland Library, 121 E.
Market St., Aberdeen, WA
• Hoodsport Timberland Library, N. 40
Schoolhouse Hill Road, Hoodsport,
WA
• Jefferson County Rural Library
District, 620 Cedar Avenue, Port
Hadlock, WA
• Kitsap Regional Library, 1301 Sylvan
Way, Bremerton, WA
• North Mason Timberland Library,
23801 NE State Rt. 3, Belfair, WA
• Ocean Shores Public Library, 573 Pt.
Brown Ave., NW., Ocean Shores, WA
• Port Orchard Library, 87 Sidney St.,
Port Orchard, WA
• Port Townsend Public Library, 1220
Lawrence St., Port Townsend, WA
• Poulsbo Branch Library, 700 NE
Lincoln St., Poulsbo, WA
• Quinault Indian Nation Tribal
Library, P.O. Box 189, Taholah, WA
• Skokomish Tribal Center, N 80 Tribal
Center Road, Shelton, WA
The NAVSEA NUWC Keyport Range
Complex Extension Draft EIS/OEIS is
also available for electronic public
viewing at: https://wwwkeyport.kpt.nuwc.navy.mil. A paper
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copy of the Executive Summary or a
single CD with the Draft EIS/OEIS will
be made available upon written request
by contacting Naval Facilities
Engineering Command, Northwest,
Attention: Mrs. Kimberly Kler (EIS/OEIS
PM), 1101 Tautog Circle, Suite 203,
Silverdale, WA 98315–1101; facsimile:
360–396–0857.
Federal, State, and local agencies and
interested parties are invited to be
present or represented at the public
hearing. Written comments can also be
submitted during the open house
sessions preceding the public hearings.
Oral statements will be heard and
transcribed by a stenographer; however,
to ensure the accuracy of the record, all
statements should be submitted in
writing. All statements, both oral and
written, will become part of the public
record on the Draft EIS/OEIS and will be
responded to in the Final EIS/OEIS.
Equal weight will be given to both oral
and written statements. In the interest of
available time, and to ensure all who
wish to give an oral statement have the
opportunity to do so, each speaker’s
comments will be limited to three (3)
minutes. If a long statement is to be
presented, it should be summarized at
the public hearing with the full text
submitted either in writing at the
hearing, or mailed or faxed to Naval
Facilities Engineering Command,
Northwest, Attention: Mrs. Kimberly
Kler (EIS/OEIS PM), 1101 Tautog Circle,
Suite 203, Silverdale, WA 98315–1101;
facsimile: 360–396–0857. In addition,
comments may be submitted on-line at
https://www-keyport.kpt.nuwc.navy.mil
during the comment period. All written
comments must be postmarked by
October 27, 2008 to ensure they become
part of the official record. All comments
will be addressed in the Final EIS/OEIS.
Dated: September 3, 2008.
T.M. Cruz,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate
General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8–21343 Filed 9–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Hearings for the Navy
Cherry Point Range Complex Draft
Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement
AGENCY:
ACTION:
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Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States
Code [U.S.C.] 4321); the Council of
Environmental Quality (CEQ)
Regulations for implementing the
procedural provisions of NEPA (Title 40
Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts
1500–1508); Department of the Navy
Procedures for Implementing NEPA (32
CFR part 775); Executive Order (EO)
12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of
Major Federal Actions; and Department
of Defense (DoD) regulations
implementing EO 12114 (32 CFR Part
187), the Department of the Navy (Navy)
has prepared and filed with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency a
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS/OEIS) on September 2,
2008. The National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) is a Cooperating Agency
for the EIS/OEIS. This notice announces
the dates and locations of the public
hearings for this Draft EIS/OEIS, and
provides supplementary information
about the environmental planning effort.
The EIS/OEIS evaluates the potential
environmental impacts over a 10-year
planning horizon associated with Navy
Atlantic Fleet and Marine Corps
training; research, development, testing,
and evaluation (RDT&E) activities; and
associated range capabilities
enhancements (including infrastructure
improvements) within the existing Navy
Cherry Point (Navy CHPT) Range
Complex. The Navy CHPT Range
Complex encompasses 18,617 square
nautical miles (nm2) of offshore surface
and subsurface operating area
(OPAREA); 12,529 nm2 of deep ocean
area greater than 100 fathoms (600 feet),
and 18,966 nm2 of overlying Special
Use Airspace (SUA) off the coast of
North Carolina. The geographic scope of
the EIS/OEIS, referred to as the Navy
Cherry Point Study Area, includes the
OPAREA and SUA, plus the 3 NM strip
of coastal water from mean high tide
line extending seaward to the western
OPAREA boundary. A Notice of Intent
for this Draft EIS/OEIS was published in
the Federal Register on April 30, 2007
(Vol. 72, No. 82, pp. 21248–21249).
The Navy will conduct two public
hearings to receive oral and written
comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS.
Federal, state and local agencies and
interested individuals are invited to be
present or represented at the public
hearings. An open house session will
precede the scheduled public hearing at
each of the locations listed below and
will allow individuals to review the
information presented in the Navy
CHPT Range Complex Draft EIS/OEIS.
Navy and Marine Corps representatives
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will be available during the open house
sessions to clarify information related to
the Draft EIS/OEIS.
DATES AND ADDRESSES: All meetings will
start with an open house session from
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A formal presentation
and public comment period will be held
from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Public hearings
will be held on the following dates and
at the following locations: October 14,
2008 at the North Carolina Maritime
Museum, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC
and October 15, 2008 at the Best
Western Coastline Inn & Convention
Center, 503 Nutt St., Wilmington, NC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Atlantic, Attention, EV22SA (Navy
CHPT EIS/OEIS PM), 6506 Hampton
Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508–
1278; facsimile: 757–322–4894 or
https://www.navycherrypointrange
complexeis.com/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Navy
has identified the need to support and
conduct current, emerging and future
training and RDT&E operations in the
Navy CHPT Range Complex. The
proposed action does not indicate major
changes to Navy CHPT Range Complex
facilities, operations, training, or RDT&E
capacities over the 10-year planning
period. Rather, the proposed action
would result in relatively small-scale
but critical enhancements to the Navy
CHPT Range Complex that are necessary
if the Navy and Marine Corps are to
maintain a state of military readiness
commensurate with their national
defense mission.
The EIS/OEIS addresses the training
strategies described in the Fleet
Readiness Training Plan (FRTP) that
implements the Fleet Response Plan
(FRP), which ensures continuous
availability of agile, flexible, trained,
and ready surge-capable (rapid
response) forces. The recommended
range enhancements, and current and
future training and testing operations,
which have the potential to impact the
environment are the primary focus of
the EIS/OEIS.
The purpose for the proposed action
is to:
• Achieve and maintain Fleet
readiness using the Navy CHPT Range
Complex to support and conduct
current, emerging, and future training
and RDT&E operations;
• Expand warfare missions supported
by the Navy CHPT Range Complex; and
• Upgrade and modernize existing
range capabilities to enhance and
sustain Navy and Marine Corps training
and RDT&E.
The need for the proposed action is to
provide range capabilities for training
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and equipping combat-capable naval
forces ready to deploy worldwide. In
this regard, the Navy CHPT Range
Complex furthers the Navy’s execution
of its Congressionally mandated roles
and responsibilities under title 10
U.S.C. 5062. To implement this
Congressional mandate, the Navy needs
to:
• Maintain current levels of military
readiness by training in the Navy CHPT
Range Complex;
• Accommodate future increases in
operational training tempo in the Navy
CHPT Range Complex and support the
rapid deployment of naval units or
strike groups;
• Achieve and sustain readiness of
ships and squadrons consistent with the
FRP so the Navy and Marine Corps can
quickly surge significant combat power
in the event of a national crisis or
contingency operation;
• Support the acquisition and
implementation into the Fleet of
advanced military technology. The Navy
CHPT Range Complex must adequately
support the testing and training needed
for new aircraft and weapons systems;
and
• Maintain the long-term viability of
the Navy CHPT Range Complex while
protecting human health and the
environment, and enhancing its quality,
communication capability and safety.
Support to current, emerging and
future training and RDT&E operations,
including implementation of range
enhancements, entails the actions
evaluated in the EIS/OEIS.
These potentially include:
• Increase use of contractor-operated
aircraft that simulate enemy aircraft
during training (Commercial Air
Services Support for Fleet Opposition
Forces and Electronic Warfare Threat
Training);
• Increase anti-piracy and maritime
interdiction training (Anti-terrorism
Surface Strike Group Training);
• Support MH–60R/S helicopter
warfare mission areas;
• Designate a littoral mine warfare
training area for deploying temporary
mineshapes in support of Strike Group
mine warfare training during major
exercises; and,
• Upgrade the Mid-Atlantic
Electronic Warfare Range (MAEWR).
The proposed action is to support and
conduct current and emerging training
and RDT&E in the Navy CHPT Range
Complex. To achieve this, the Navy
proposes to:
• Maintain baseline training and
testing operations at current levels, plus
sufficient additional operations to
support a surge capability in
compliance with FRP.
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• Provide flexibility to respond to
real-world situations with increased
training operations, and to
accommodate mission expansion,
emerging force structure changes
(including those resulting from the
introduction of new aircraft and
weapons systems), and new range
capabilities.
• Eliminate high explosive bombing
exercises at sea, and implement
enhanced mine warfare training
capability within the range complex.
Three alternatives were evaluated in
the Navy CHPT Range Complex EIS/
OEIS:
No Action Alternative: Maintain
training and RDT&E operations at
current levels to include surge
consistent with the FRTP;
Alternative 1: All operations in the No
Action Alternative, plus a 10% increase
in most training and testing operations,
plus changes in type and quantity of
operations and tactical employment of
forces to accommodate expanded
mission areas, force structure changes
and new range capabilities. Specifically:
• Train tailored naval units to
conduct rapid response anti-piracy,
anti-terrorism and maritime interdiction
operations (Maritime Security Surge
Surface Strike Group);
• Conduct surface-to-air missile
training;
• Conduct MH–60R/S helicopter
training;
• Conduct training with new Organic
Mine Countermeasures systems;
• Increase use of contractor-operated
aircraft to support fleet training
(Commercial Air Services); and
• Upgrade electronic warfare antiship and anti-aircraft threat emitters
(Mid-Atlantic Electronic Warfare
Range).
Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative):
All operations in Alternative 1 plus:
• Eliminate bombs at-sea with high
explosive warheads.
• Designate mine warfare training
areas, some of which can accommodate
temporary deployment of training
mineshapes, in support of Strike Group
mine warfare training events during
major exercises.
The Assistant Secretary of the Navy
(Installations & Environment) will
decide which alternative analyzed in
the EIS/OEIS provides the optimum
level and mix of training and testing
operations and range capabilities
enhancements in the Navy CHPT Range
Complex that satisfies the purpose and
need while considering all reasonably
foreseeable environmental impacts.
Three alternatives were considered
but eliminated from further
consideration. These alternatives are:
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1. Alternative Range Complex
Locations—No single range complex on
the East Coast can accommodate the
entire spectrum of Navy and Marine
Corps training and testing. To maintain
a high level of combat readiness for
naval forces at best value to the U.S.
taxpayer, the Navy and Marine Corps
homeported their forces in multiple
concentration areas rather than a single
area, in part to ensure the surrounding
training and testing areas could support
their specific needs. The result is a
system of range complexes, each
optimized to support the limited set of
warfare areas that predominate in that
locale. The Navy CHPT Range Complex
possesses a number of historical and
natural features that make it an
indispensable component of the Navy’s
East Coast system of ranges. Other
locations do not provide reasonable
alternatives for required training
purposes/activities described above, and
as a result, alternative training locations
were eliminated from further
consideration.
2. Conduct Simulated Training
Only—Under this alternative, only
simulated training would be conducted
using computer models and classroom
training. While the Navy currently
makes extensive use of computer
simulation and classroom instruction as
effective training tools, they cannot
exclusively replace live training.
Simulation cannot replicate the
environment of live coordinated
training and major exercises, where
multiple ships, submarines and aircraft,
and hundreds or thousands of men and
women are participating in training
activities in a coordinated fashion to
accomplish a common military
objective. Because of the need to train
as we fight, this alternative would fail
to meet the purpose and need of the
proposed action and therefore, is not
evaluated further in the EIS/OEIS.
3. Practice Ammunition Use—An
alternative that would rely entirely on
inert, practice ammunition use within
the Navy CHPT Range Complex would
not achieve the necessary levels of
proficiency in firing weapons in a high
stress and realistic environment. Inert,
practice ammunition is used throughout
the Navy CHPT Range Complex, and
provides opportunity to implement a
successful, integrated training program
while reducing the risk and expense
typically associated with live
ammunition. However, Navy and
Marine Corps personnel need to gain
proficiency in handling and
employment of ordnance with live
warheads in a safe, controlled training
environment before entering the
inherently unsafe environment of live
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combat. Consequently, this alternative
fails to meet the purpose and need of
the proposed action and was not carried
forward for analysis.
Nineteen resources and issues were
described and analyzed in the EIS/OEIS.
These include but are not limited to
water resources, air quality, marine
communities, marine mammals, sea
turtles, fish and essential fish habitat,
seabirds and migratory birds, cultural
resources, regional economy, and public
health and safety. The Navy used
subject matter experts, public and
agency scoping comments, previous
environmental analyses, previous
agency consultations, laws, regulations,
Executive Orders and resource-specific
information in a screening process to
identify aspects of the proposed action
that could act as stressors to resources
and issues evaluated in the EIS/OEIS.
The stressors considered for analysis
of environmental consequences include,
but are not limited to, vessel movements
(disturbance and collisions), aircraft
overflights (disturbance and strikes),
non-explosive practice munitions, and
underwater detonations and high
explosive ordnance.
In accordance with 50 CFR 401.12,
the Navy submitted a Biological
Evaluation to assess the potential effects
from the proposed action on marine
resources and anadromous fish
protected by the NMFS under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA). In
accordance with the Marine Mammal
Protection Act MMPA (16 U.S.C.
1371[a][5]), the Navy submitted a
request for Letter of Authorization to the
NMFS for the incidental taking of
marine mammals by the proposed
action which was acknowledged by
NMFS in a Notice of Receipt published
in the Federal Register (Vol. 73, No.
131, pp 38991–38993) on July 08, 2008.
The Navy submitted a Consultation
Package in accordance with legal
requirements set forth under regulations
implementing Section 7 of the ESA (50
CFR 402; 16 U.S.C 1536 (c)) for listed
species under jurisdiction of the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. The analysis
of environmental stressors indicated
that implementation of the No Action
Alternative, Alternative 1, or Alternative
2 would not result in unavoidable
significant adverse effects to resources
analyzed. The analysis of environmental
stressors and alternatives indicated no
significant impact to resources in U.S.
territorial waters; likewise, no
significant harm in non-territorial
waters is expected.
The Navy CHPT Draft EIS/OEIS was
distributed to Federal, State, and local
agencies, elected officials, and other
interested individuals and organizations
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on September 12, 2008. The public
comment period will end on October 27,
2008. Copies of the Navy CHPT Draft
EIS/OEIS are available for public review
at the following libraries: Hatteras
Library, 57690 NC Highway 12,
Hatteras, NC; New Hanover County
Library, 201 Chestnut Street,
Wilmington, NC; Webb Memorial
Library Center, 812 Evans Street,
Morehead City, NC; Onslow County
Library, 58 Doris Avenue East,
Jacksonville, NC; Kill Devil Hills Branch
Library, 400 S. Mustian St., Kill Devil
Hills, NC; Havelock-Craven County
Public Library, 301 Cunningham
Boulevard, Havelock, NC. The Navy
CHPT Draft EIS/OEIS is also available
for electronic public viewing at: https://
www.navycherrypointrange
complexeis.com/.
A paper copy of the Executive
Summary or a single CD with the Navy
CHPT Draft EIS/OEIS will be made
available upon written request by
contacting Naval Facilities Engineering
Command, Atlantic Division; Attention:
Code EV22SA (Navy CHPT EIS/OEIS
PM); 6506 Hampton Blvd.; Norfolk, VA
23508–1278. Facsimile: 757–322–4894.
Federal, State, and local agencies and
interested parties are invited to be
present or represented at the public
hearing. Written comments can also be
submitted during the open house
sessions preceding the public hearings.
Oral statements will be heard and
transcribed by a stenographer; however,
to ensure the accuracy of the record, all
statements should be submitted in
writing. All statements, both oral and
written, will become part of the public
record on the Draft EIS/OEIS and will be
responded to in the Final EIS/OEIS.
Equal weight will be given to both oral
and written statements. In the interest of
available time, and to ensure all who
wish to give an oral statement have the
opportunity to do so, each speaker’s
comments will be limited to three (3)
minutes. If a long statement is to be
presented, it should be summarized at
the public hearing with the full text
submitted either in writing at the
hearing, or mailed or faxed to Naval
Facilities Engineering Command,
Atlantic Division; Attention: Code
EV22SA (Navy CHPT EIS/OEIS PM);
6506 Hampton Blvd.; Norfolk, VA
23508–1278. Facsimile: 757–322–4894.
In addition, comments may be
submitted on-line at https://www.navy
cherrypointrangecomplexeis.com/
during the comment period. All written
comments must be postmarked by
October 27, 2008 to ensure they become
part of the official record. All comments
will be addressed in the Final EIS/OEIS.
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Dated: September 3, 2008.
T. M. Cruz,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate
General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8–21342 Filed 9–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Hearings for the
Undersea Warfare Training Range
Draft Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement/Environmental Impact
Statement
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969 and regulations
implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts
1500–1508), and Executive Order (EO)
12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of
Major Federal Actions, the Department
of the Navy (Navy) has prepared and
filed with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency a Draft Overseas
Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Statement (OEIS/
EIS) on September 12, 2008. The
National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) is a Cooperating Agency for the
OEIS/EIS.
The Draft OEIS/EIS evaluates the
potential environmental impacts of the
construction and operation of an
Undersea Warfare Training Range
(USWTR) associated with Navy Atlantic
Fleet training activities. The
construction of the proposed USWTR
would entail the instrumentation of a
500-square nautical mile (NM2) area of
the sea floor with undersea cables and
sensor nodes, connected to the shore via
a single trunk cable.
The western edge of the range would
be located approximately 50 NM off the
coast of Jacksonville, FL. The USWTR
would allow ships, submarines, and
aircraft to perform anti-submarine
warfare (ASW) training in littoral, or
near shore, waters. A Notice of Intent
(NOI) for the OEIS/EIS was published in
the Federal Register on May 13, 1996
(Federal Register, Volume 61, No. 93,
pp 22028). A Revised NOI for this Draft
OEIS/EIS and Notice of Request for
Public Scoping Comments were
published in the Federal Register on
September 21, 2007 (Federal Register,
Volume 72, No. 183, pp 54015–54016).
The Navy will conduct four public
hearings to receive oral and written
comments on the Draft OEIS/EIS.
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Federal agencies, state agencies, local
agencies, and interested individuals are
invited to be present or represented at
the public hearings. This notice
announces the dates and locations of the
public hearings for this Draft OEIS/EIS.
An open house session will precede
the scheduled public hearing at each of
the locations listed below and will
allow individuals to review the
information presented in the USWTR
Draft OEIS/EIS. Navy representatives
will be available during the open house
sessions to clarify information related to
the Draft OEIS/EIS.
Dates and Addresses: Public hearings
will be held on the following dates and
times at the following locations:
1. September 29, 2008, at the
Chincoteague Center (open house poster
session from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and formal
hearing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.), 6155
Community Drive, Chincoteague, VA;
2. October 1, 2008 at the Crystal Coast
Civic Center (open house poster session
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and formal hearing
from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.), 3505 Arendell
Street, Morehead City, NC;
3. October 6, 2008 at the Sheraton
North Charleston—Convention Center
(open house poster session from 5 p.m.
to 7 p.m. and formal hearing from 7 p.m.
to 9 p.m.), 4770 Goer Drive, North
Charleston, SC;
4. October 7, 2008 at the University of
North Florida—University Center (open
house poster session from 5 p.m. to 7
p.m. and formal hearing from 7 p.m. to
9 p.m.), 12000 Alumni Drive,
Jacksonville, FL.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Atlantic, Attention: EV22LL (USWTR
OEIS/EIS Program Manager (PM)), 6506
Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia
23508–1278; facsimile: 804–200–5568
or https://projects.earthtech.com/uswtr/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
purpose for the proposed action is to
enable the U.S. Navy to train effectively
in a shallow water environment (120 to
900 feet in depth) at a suitable location
for Atlantic Fleet ASW capable units.
The need for the proposed action is to
provide range capabilities for training
and equipping combat-capable naval
forces ready to deploy worldwide. In
this regard, the USWTR furthers the
Navy’s execution of its Congressionallymandated roles and responsibilities
under Title 10 U.S.C 5062. Training on
the USWTR would ensure this
Congressional mandate is implemented
by allowing the Navy to: effectively
equip its forces for deployment to
littoral areas worldwide, such as the
Arabian Sea; use active sonar to assist
in the detection of extremely quiet
E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM
12SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 178 (Friday, September 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52969-52972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21342]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Hearings for the Navy Cherry Point Range Complex
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
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[[Page 52970]]
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321); the
Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for implementing the
procedural provisions of NEPA (Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations
[CFR] Parts 1500-1508); Department of the Navy Procedures for
Implementing NEPA (32 CFR part 775); Executive Order (EO) 12114,
Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions; and Department
of Defense (DoD) regulations implementing EO 12114 (32 CFR Part 187),
the Department of the Navy (Navy) has prepared and filed with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) on September 2,
2008. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is a Cooperating
Agency for the EIS/OEIS. This notice announces the dates and locations
of the public hearings for this Draft EIS/OEIS, and provides
supplementary information about the environmental planning effort.
The EIS/OEIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts over a
10-year planning horizon associated with Navy Atlantic Fleet and Marine
Corps training; research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E)
activities; and associated range capabilities enhancements (including
infrastructure improvements) within the existing Navy Cherry Point
(Navy CHPT) Range Complex. The Navy CHPT Range Complex encompasses
18,617 square nautical miles (nm\2\) of offshore surface and subsurface
operating area (OPAREA); 12,529 nm\2\ of deep ocean area greater than
100 fathoms (600 feet), and 18,966 nm\2\ of overlying Special Use
Airspace (SUA) off the coast of North Carolina. The geographic scope of
the EIS/OEIS, referred to as the Navy Cherry Point Study Area, includes
the OPAREA and SUA, plus the 3 NM strip of coastal water from mean high
tide line extending seaward to the western OPAREA boundary. A Notice of
Intent for this Draft EIS/OEIS was published in the Federal Register on
April 30, 2007 (Vol. 72, No. 82, pp. 21248-21249).
The Navy will conduct two public hearings to receive oral and
written comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS. Federal, state and local
agencies and interested individuals are invited to be present or
represented at the public hearings. An open house session will precede
the scheduled public hearing at each of the locations listed below and
will allow individuals to review the information presented in the Navy
CHPT Range Complex Draft EIS/OEIS. Navy and Marine Corps
representatives will be available during the open house sessions to
clarify information related to the Draft EIS/OEIS.
Dates and Addresses: All meetings will start with an open house session
from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A formal presentation and public comment period
will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Public hearings will be held on the
following dates and at the following locations: October 14, 2008 at the
North Carolina Maritime Museum, 315 Front St., Beaufort, NC and October
15, 2008 at the Best Western Coastline Inn & Convention Center, 503
Nutt St., Wilmington, NC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Atlantic, Attention, EV22SA (Navy CHPT EIS/OEIS PM), 6506 Hampton
Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508-1278; facsimile: 757-322-4894 or
https://www.navycherrypointrangecomplexeis.com/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Navy has identified the need to support
and conduct current, emerging and future training and RDT&E operations
in the Navy CHPT Range Complex. The proposed action does not indicate
major changes to Navy CHPT Range Complex facilities, operations,
training, or RDT&E capacities over the 10-year planning period. Rather,
the proposed action would result in relatively small-scale but critical
enhancements to the Navy CHPT Range Complex that are necessary if the
Navy and Marine Corps are to maintain a state of military readiness
commensurate with their national defense mission.
The EIS/OEIS addresses the training strategies described in the
Fleet Readiness Training Plan (FRTP) that implements the Fleet Response
Plan (FRP), which ensures continuous availability of agile, flexible,
trained, and ready surge-capable (rapid response) forces. The
recommended range enhancements, and current and future training and
testing operations, which have the potential to impact the environment
are the primary focus of the EIS/OEIS.
The purpose for the proposed action is to:
Achieve and maintain Fleet readiness using the Navy CHPT
Range Complex to support and conduct current, emerging, and future
training and RDT&E operations;
Expand warfare missions supported by the Navy CHPT Range
Complex; and
Upgrade and modernize existing range capabilities to
enhance and sustain Navy and Marine Corps training and RDT&E.
The need for the proposed action is to provide range capabilities
for training and equipping combat-capable naval forces ready to deploy
worldwide. In this regard, the Navy CHPT Range Complex furthers the
Navy's execution of its Congressionally mandated roles and
responsibilities under title 10 U.S.C. 5062. To implement this
Congressional mandate, the Navy needs to:
Maintain current levels of military readiness by training
in the Navy CHPT Range Complex;
Accommodate future increases in operational training tempo
in the Navy CHPT Range Complex and support the rapid deployment of
naval units or strike groups;
Achieve and sustain readiness of ships and squadrons
consistent with the FRP so the Navy and Marine Corps can quickly surge
significant combat power in the event of a national crisis or
contingency operation;
Support the acquisition and implementation into the Fleet
of advanced military technology. The Navy CHPT Range Complex must
adequately support the testing and training needed for new aircraft and
weapons systems; and
Maintain the long-term viability of the Navy CHPT Range
Complex while protecting human health and the environment, and
enhancing its quality, communication capability and safety.
Support to current, emerging and future training and RDT&E
operations, including implementation of range enhancements, entails the
actions evaluated in the EIS/OEIS.
These potentially include:
Increase use of contractor-operated aircraft that simulate
enemy aircraft during training (Commercial Air Services Support for
Fleet Opposition Forces and Electronic Warfare Threat Training);
Increase anti-piracy and maritime interdiction training
(Anti-terrorism Surface Strike Group Training);
Support MH-60R/S helicopter warfare mission areas;
Designate a littoral mine warfare training area for
deploying temporary mineshapes in support of Strike Group mine warfare
training during major exercises; and,
Upgrade the Mid-Atlantic Electronic Warfare Range (MAEWR).
The proposed action is to support and conduct current and emerging
training and RDT&E in the Navy CHPT Range Complex. To achieve this, the
Navy proposes to:
Maintain baseline training and testing operations at
current levels, plus sufficient additional operations to support a
surge capability in compliance with FRP.
[[Page 52971]]
Provide flexibility to respond to real-world situations
with increased training operations, and to accommodate mission
expansion, emerging force structure changes (including those resulting
from the introduction of new aircraft and weapons systems), and new
range capabilities.
Eliminate high explosive bombing exercises at sea, and
implement enhanced mine warfare training capability within the range
complex.
Three alternatives were evaluated in the Navy CHPT Range Complex
EIS/OEIS:
No Action Alternative: Maintain training and RDT&E operations at
current levels to include surge consistent with the FRTP;
Alternative 1: All operations in the No Action Alternative, plus a
10% increase in most training and testing operations, plus changes in
type and quantity of operations and tactical employment of forces to
accommodate expanded mission areas, force structure changes and new
range capabilities. Specifically:
Train tailored naval units to conduct rapid response anti-
piracy, anti-terrorism and maritime interdiction operations (Maritime
Security Surge Surface Strike Group);
Conduct surface-to-air missile training;
Conduct MH-60R/S helicopter training;
Conduct training with new Organic Mine Countermeasures
systems;
Increase use of contractor-operated aircraft to support
fleet training (Commercial Air Services); and
Upgrade electronic warfare anti-ship and anti-aircraft
threat emitters (Mid-Atlantic Electronic Warfare Range).
Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative): All operations in
Alternative 1 plus:
Eliminate bombs at-sea with high explosive warheads.
Designate mine warfare training areas, some of which can
accommodate temporary deployment of training mineshapes, in support of
Strike Group mine warfare training events during major exercises.
The Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations & Environment)
will decide which alternative analyzed in the EIS/OEIS provides the
optimum level and mix of training and testing operations and range
capabilities enhancements in the Navy CHPT Range Complex that satisfies
the purpose and need while considering all reasonably foreseeable
environmental impacts.
Three alternatives were considered but eliminated from further
consideration. These alternatives are:
1. Alternative Range Complex Locations--No single range complex on
the East Coast can accommodate the entire spectrum of Navy and Marine
Corps training and testing. To maintain a high level of combat
readiness for naval forces at best value to the U.S. taxpayer, the Navy
and Marine Corps homeported their forces in multiple concentration
areas rather than a single area, in part to ensure the surrounding
training and testing areas could support their specific needs. The
result is a system of range complexes, each optimized to support the
limited set of warfare areas that predominate in that locale. The Navy
CHPT Range Complex possesses a number of historical and natural
features that make it an indispensable component of the Navy's East
Coast system of ranges. Other locations do not provide reasonable
alternatives for required training purposes/activities described above,
and as a result, alternative training locations were eliminated from
further consideration.
2. Conduct Simulated Training Only--Under this alternative, only
simulated training would be conducted using computer models and
classroom training. While the Navy currently makes extensive use of
computer simulation and classroom instruction as effective training
tools, they cannot exclusively replace live training. Simulation cannot
replicate the environment of live coordinated training and major
exercises, where multiple ships, submarines and aircraft, and hundreds
or thousands of men and women are participating in training activities
in a coordinated fashion to accomplish a common military objective.
Because of the need to train as we fight, this alternative would fail
to meet the purpose and need of the proposed action and therefore, is
not evaluated further in the EIS/OEIS.
3. Practice Ammunition Use--An alternative that would rely entirely
on inert, practice ammunition use within the Navy CHPT Range Complex
would not achieve the necessary levels of proficiency in firing weapons
in a high stress and realistic environment. Inert, practice ammunition
is used throughout the Navy CHPT Range Complex, and provides
opportunity to implement a successful, integrated training program
while reducing the risk and expense typically associated with live
ammunition. However, Navy and Marine Corps personnel need to gain
proficiency in handling and employment of ordnance with live warheads
in a safe, controlled training environment before entering the
inherently unsafe environment of live combat. Consequently, this
alternative fails to meet the purpose and need of the proposed action
and was not carried forward for analysis.
Nineteen resources and issues were described and analyzed in the
EIS/OEIS. These include but are not limited to water resources, air
quality, marine communities, marine mammals, sea turtles, fish and
essential fish habitat, seabirds and migratory birds, cultural
resources, regional economy, and public health and safety. The Navy
used subject matter experts, public and agency scoping comments,
previous environmental analyses, previous agency consultations, laws,
regulations, Executive Orders and resource-specific information in a
screening process to identify aspects of the proposed action that could
act as stressors to resources and issues evaluated in the EIS/OEIS.
The stressors considered for analysis of environmental consequences
include, but are not limited to, vessel movements (disturbance and
collisions), aircraft overflights (disturbance and strikes), non-
explosive practice munitions, and underwater detonations and high
explosive ordnance.
In accordance with 50 CFR 401.12, the Navy submitted a Biological
Evaluation to assess the potential effects from the proposed action on
marine resources and anadromous fish protected by the NMFS under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA). In accordance with the Marine Mammal
Protection Act MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1371[a][5]), the Navy submitted a
request for Letter of Authorization to the NMFS for the incidental
taking of marine mammals by the proposed action which was acknowledged
by NMFS in a Notice of Receipt published in the Federal Register (Vol.
73, No. 131, pp 38991-38993) on July 08, 2008.
The Navy submitted a Consultation Package in accordance with legal
requirements set forth under regulations implementing Section 7 of the
ESA (50 CFR 402; 16 U.S.C 1536 (c)) for listed species under
jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The analysis of
environmental stressors indicated that implementation of the No Action
Alternative, Alternative 1, or Alternative 2 would not result in
unavoidable significant adverse effects to resources analyzed. The
analysis of environmental stressors and alternatives indicated no
significant impact to resources in U.S. territorial waters; likewise,
no significant harm in non-territorial waters is expected.
The Navy CHPT Draft EIS/OEIS was distributed to Federal, State, and
local agencies, elected officials, and other interested individuals and
organizations
[[Page 52972]]
on September 12, 2008. The public comment period will end on October
27, 2008. Copies of the Navy CHPT Draft EIS/OEIS are available for
public review at the following libraries: Hatteras Library, 57690 NC
Highway 12, Hatteras, NC; New Hanover County Library, 201 Chestnut
Street, Wilmington, NC; Webb Memorial Library Center, 812 Evans Street,
Morehead City, NC; Onslow County Library, 58 Doris Avenue East,
Jacksonville, NC; Kill Devil Hills Branch Library, 400 S. Mustian St.,
Kill Devil Hills, NC; Havelock-Craven County Public Library, 301
Cunningham Boulevard, Havelock, NC. The Navy CHPT Draft EIS/OEIS is
also available for electronic public viewing at: https://
www.navycherrypointrangecomplexeis.com/.
A paper copy of the Executive Summary or a single CD with the Navy
CHPT Draft EIS/OEIS will be made available upon written request by
contacting Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic Division;
Attention: Code EV22SA (Navy CHPT EIS/OEIS PM); 6506 Hampton Blvd.;
Norfolk, VA 23508-1278. Facsimile: 757-322-4894. Federal, State, and
local agencies and interested parties are invited to be present or
represented at the public hearing. Written comments can also be
submitted during the open house sessions preceding the public hearings.
Oral statements will be heard and transcribed by a stenographer;
however, to ensure the accuracy of the record, all statements should be
submitted in writing. All statements, both oral and written, will
become part of the public record on the Draft EIS/OEIS and will be
responded to in the Final EIS/OEIS. Equal weight will be given to both
oral and written statements. In the interest of available time, and to
ensure all who wish to give an oral statement have the opportunity to
do so, each speaker's comments will be limited to three (3) minutes. If
a long statement is to be presented, it should be summarized at the
public hearing with the full text submitted either in writing at the
hearing, or mailed or faxed to Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Atlantic Division; Attention: Code EV22SA (Navy CHPT EIS/OEIS PM); 6506
Hampton Blvd.; Norfolk, VA 23508-1278. Facsimile: 757-322-4894. In
addition, comments may be submitted on-line at https://
www.navycherrypointrangecomplexeis.com/ during the comment period. All
written comments must be postmarked by October 27, 2008 to ensure they
become part of the official record. All comments will be addressed in
the Final EIS/OEIS.
Dated: September 3, 2008.
T. M. Cruz,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-21342 Filed 9-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
