Notice of Public Hearings for the Swimmer Interdiction Security System at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Kitsap County, WA Draft Environmental Impact Statement, 98-99 [E8-31200]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 1 / Friday, January 2, 2009 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Hearings for the
Swimmer Interdiction Security System
at Naval Base Kitsap—Bangor, Kitsap
County, WA Draft Environmental
Impact Statement
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
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 on
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 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
on December 17, 2008.
The DEIS evaluates the potential
environmental impacts associated with
construction and operation of a
Swimmer Interdiction Security System
at Naval Base Kitsap—Bangor (NBK—
Bangor). A Notice of Intent for this Draft
EIS was published in the Federal
Register on February 12, 2007 (volume
72, number 28).
The Navy will conduct two public
hearings to receive oral and written
comments on the Draft EIS. Federal
agencies, state agencies, Tribal
Governments and 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 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 Draft EIS.
Navy representatives will be available
during the open house sessions to
clarify information related to the Draft
EIS.
DATES AND ADDRESSES: Both meetings
will start with an open house session
from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A presentation
and formal 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:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:23 Dec 31, 2008
Jkt 217001
1. February 11, 2009, Silverdale
Community Center, 9729 Silverdale
Way, NW, Silverdale, WA.
2. February 12, 2009, Tyee High
School, 4424 S. 188th, SeaTac, WA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Department of the Navy, SSC Pacific,
53560 Hull St., San Diego, CA, 92152,
Attn: Mike Rothe Fax: 619–221–5251, email: NBKEIS@spawar.navy.mil or
https://www.nbkeis.gcsaic.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
proposed action is to install and operate
a Swimmer Interdiction Security System
(SISS) along the waterfront on Hood
Canal at NBK-Bangor.
The purpose of the proposed action is
to provide waterside security at NBKBangor capable of countering threats
from intruders. The implemented
system must be able to find, identify,
and interdict surface and underwater
intruders for engagement by harbor
security forces. Several classified Navy
instructions establish requirements for
security and protection of assets at Navy
bases, including NBK-Bangor. The
project need is to comply with these
Navy security requirements.
Three action alternatives have been
identified as well as a no action
alternative:
• Marine Mammal Alternative: This
alternative would be composed of
human/marine mammal teams that
would support Navy operations and
respond rapidly to security alerts. The
system would involve stationing
California sea lions, Atlantic bottlenose
dolphins and human teams at the site.
The animals would reside within inwater, closed circuit enclosures attached
to a dock that would be connected to an
existing pier at the NBK-Bangor
waterfront. Upland temporary buildings
would house support personnel and
equipment. The Navy marine mammals
would be deployed along the waterfront
in conjunction with humans aboard
small power boats. The marine
mammals would respond to security
alerts by finding, identifying, and
interdicting intruder(s).
• Sea Lions Only Alternative: This
alternative would be composed of
human/sea lion teams that would
support Navy operations and respond
rapidly to security alerts. The system
would involve stationing California sea
lions and human teams at the site.
Upland temporary buildings would
house support personnel and
equipment. The sea lions would reside
within in-water, closed-circuit
enclosures attached to a dock that
would be connected to an existing pier
at the NBK-Bangor waterfront, and
would be deployed along the waterfront
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Frm 00030
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
in conjunction with humans aboard
small power boats. The sea lions would
respond to security alerts by finding,
identifying, and interdicting intruder(s).
This system lacks the biosonar of the
dolphins and therefore this alternative
would rely heavily on the initial NBKBangor detection and vectoring system
to interdict intruders.
• Combat Swimmers Alternative:
Combat swimmers would be stationed at
an existing pier at the NBK-Bangor
waterfront, and would be deployed
along the waterfront aboard small power
boats equipped with necessary dive
support gear. Similar upland facilities
would also be required. The Combat
Swimmers would rely completely on
the NBK-Bangor initial detection and
vectoring system to arrive at a position
to interdict the intruders.
• Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV)
Alternative: ROVs would be stationed at
an existing pier at the NBK-Bangor
waterfront. In-water and upland
facilities would be located at the same
sites as the other action alternatives.
ROVs would be deployed from a boat
located and available for use at the
waterfront and an operator would
utilize sonar and bright lights on board
the ROV to maneuver toward and
interdict the intruder. The ROVs would
rely completely on the NBK-Bangor
initial detection and vectoring system to
arrive at a position within range to
interdict the intruders.
• No action alternative: Under this
alternative, no SISS would be
implemented. This would not meet the
project purpose and need. No new
facilities would be constructed. The
existing initial detection and vectoring
system would be used to alert for
potential threats, and harbor security
forces would find and attempt to
apprehend intruders without the aid of
an underwater interdiction system.
The Navy conducted a literature
review and held discussions with
subject matter experts to identify
alternatives for implementing the SISS.
Nine action alternatives were identified.
These alternatives were evaluated to
determine their ability to meet the
minimum operational selection criteria.
All but three were eliminated from
further consideration. The Sea Lions
Only alternative was added for
consideration following scoping.
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.
E:\FR\FM\02JAN1.SGM
02JAN1
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 1 / Friday, January 2, 2009 / Notices
No significant adverse impacts are
identified for any resource area. In
accordance with Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act, the Navy is
seeking concurrence with NMFS and
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
for ‘‘may affect, not likely to adversely
affect’’ determinations for federally
listed species. The Navy is coordinating
with 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 best meet the needs of the
Navy given that all reasonably
foreseeable environmental impacts have
been considered.
The Draft EIS was distributed to
Federal, State, and local agencies,
elected officials, and other interested
individuals and organizations on
December 24, 2008. The public
comment period will end on March 1,
2009. Copies of the Draft EIS 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 Townsend Public Library, 1220
Lawrence St., Port Townsend, WA.
• Poulsbo Branch Library, 700 NE
Lincoln St., Poulsbo, WA.
• Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth
Ave. Seattle, WA.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:23 Dec 31, 2008
Jkt 217001
• Tacoma Main Library, 1102 Tacoma
Ave. S., Tacoma, WA.
• Quinault Indian Nation Tribal
Library, P.O. Box 189, Taholah, WA.
• Skokomish Tribal Center, N 80
Tribal Center Road, Shelton, WA.
• Valley View Library, 17850 Military
Rd. S., SeaTac, WA.
The SISS Draft EIS is also available
for electronic public viewing at: https://
www.nbkeis.gcsaic.com. Additional
information about access to the SISS
DEIS is available by contacting Navy
Region North West, Environmental
Public Affairs Office, Attn: Sheila
Murray, 1100 Hunley Road, Building
1100 Silverdale, WA, 98315, 360–396–
4981.
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 and will be
responded to in the Final EIS. 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
Department of the Navy, SSC Pacific,
53560 Hull St., San Diego, CA 92152,
Attn: Mike Rothe, Fax: 619–221–5251,
e-mail: NBKEIS@spawar.navy.mil
during the comment period. All written
comments must be postmarked by
March 1, 2009, to ensure they become
part of the official record. All comments
will be addressed in the Final EIS.
Dated: December 22, 2008.
T. M. Cruz,
Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge
Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal
Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8–31200 Filed 12–31–08; 8:45 am]
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99
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Information on Surplus Land
at a Military Installation Designated for
Disposal: NASJRB Willow Grove, PA—
Jacksonville Road Housing and
Shenandoah Woods Housing
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: This notice provides
information on the surplus property at
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base
(NASJRB), Willow Grove, PA—
Jacksonville Road Housing and
Shenandoah Woods Housing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Kimberly Kesler, Director, Base
Realignment and Closure Program
Management Office, 1455 Frazee Road,
San Diego, CA 92108–4310, telephone:
619–532–0993 or Mr. David Drozd,
Director, Base Realignment and Closure
Program Management Office, Northeast,
4911 South Broad Street, Philadelphia,
PA 19112–1303, telephone: 215–897–
4909.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2005,
NASJRB Willow Grove, PA, was
designated for closure under the
authority of the Defense Base Closure
and Realignment Act of 1990, Public
Law 101–510, as amended (the Act).
Pursuant to this designation, on January
23, 2006, land and facilities at this
installation were declared excess to the
Department of Navy (Navy) and
available to other Department of Defense
components and other Federal agencies.
The Navy has evaluated all timely
Federal requests and has made a
decision on property required by the
Federal Government.
Notice of Surplus Property: Pursuant
to paragraph (7)(B) of Section 2905(b) of
the Act, as amended by the Base Closure
Community Redevelopment and
Homeless Assistance Act of 1994, the
following information regarding the
redevelopment authority for surplus
property at NASJRB Willow Grove, PA,
including Jacksonville Road Housing
and Shenandoah Woods Housing is
published in the Federal Register.
Redevelopment Authority: The local
redevelopment authority for NASJRB
Willow Grove, PA, is the Horsham
Township Authority for NASJRB. The
point of contact is Mr. Michael J.
McGee, Executive Director, 1025
Horsham Road, Horsham, PA 19044,
telephone: 215–643–3131.
Surplus Property Description: The
following off-site housing components
of NASJRB Willow Grove, known as
Jacksonville Road Housing and
E:\FR\FM\02JAN1.SGM
02JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 98-99]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-31200]
[[Page 98]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Hearings for the Swimmer Interdiction Security
System at Naval Base Kitsap--Bangor, Kitsap County, WA Draft
Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 on 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 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
on December 17, 2008.
The DEIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated
with construction and operation of a Swimmer Interdiction Security
System at Naval Base Kitsap--Bangor (NBK--Bangor). A Notice of Intent
for this Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register on February
12, 2007 (volume 72, number 28).
The Navy will conduct two public hearings to receive oral and
written comments on the Draft EIS. Federal agencies, state agencies,
Tribal Governments and 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 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 Draft EIS. Navy representatives will
be available during the open house sessions to clarify information
related to the Draft EIS.
DATES AND ADDRESSES: Both meetings will start with an open house
session from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A presentation and formal 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:
1. February 11, 2009, Silverdale Community Center, 9729 Silverdale
Way, NW, Silverdale, WA.
2. February 12, 2009, Tyee High School, 4424 S. 188th, SeaTac, WA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Department of the Navy, SSC Pacific,
53560 Hull St., San Diego, CA, 92152, Attn: Mike Rothe Fax: 619-221-
5251, e-mail: NBKEIS@spawar.navy.mil or https://www.nbkeis.gcsaic.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action is to install and
operate a Swimmer Interdiction Security System (SISS) along the
waterfront on Hood Canal at NBK-Bangor.
The purpose of the proposed action is to provide waterside security
at NBK-Bangor capable of countering threats from intruders. The
implemented system must be able to find, identify, and interdict
surface and underwater intruders for engagement by harbor security
forces. Several classified Navy instructions establish requirements for
security and protection of assets at Navy bases, including NBK-Bangor.
The project need is to comply with these Navy security requirements.
Three action alternatives have been identified as well as a no
action alternative:
Marine Mammal Alternative: This alternative would be
composed of human/marine mammal teams that would support Navy
operations and respond rapidly to security alerts. The system would
involve stationing California sea lions, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins
and human teams at the site. The animals would reside within in-water,
closed circuit enclosures attached to a dock that would be connected to
an existing pier at the NBK-Bangor waterfront. Upland temporary
buildings would house support personnel and equipment. The Navy marine
mammals would be deployed along the waterfront in conjunction with
humans aboard small power boats. The marine mammals would respond to
security alerts by finding, identifying, and interdicting intruder(s).
Sea Lions Only Alternative: This alternative would be
composed of human/sea lion teams that would support Navy operations and
respond rapidly to security alerts. The system would involve stationing
California sea lions and human teams at the site. Upland temporary
buildings would house support personnel and equipment. The sea lions
would reside within in-water, closed-circuit enclosures attached to a
dock that would be connected to an existing pier at the NBK-Bangor
waterfront, and would be deployed along the waterfront in conjunction
with humans aboard small power boats. The sea lions would respond to
security alerts by finding, identifying, and interdicting intruder(s).
This system lacks the biosonar of the dolphins and therefore this
alternative would rely heavily on the initial NBK-Bangor detection and
vectoring system to interdict intruders.
Combat Swimmers Alternative: Combat swimmers would be
stationed at an existing pier at the NBK-Bangor waterfront, and would
be deployed along the waterfront aboard small power boats equipped with
necessary dive support gear. Similar upland facilities would also be
required. The Combat Swimmers would rely completely on the NBK-Bangor
initial detection and vectoring system to arrive at a position to
interdict the intruders.
Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Alternative: ROVs would be
stationed at an existing pier at the NBK-Bangor waterfront. In-water
and upland facilities would be located at the same sites as the other
action alternatives. ROVs would be deployed from a boat located and
available for use at the waterfront and an operator would utilize sonar
and bright lights on board the ROV to maneuver toward and interdict the
intruder. The ROVs would rely completely on the NBK-Bangor initial
detection and vectoring system to arrive at a position within range to
interdict the intruders.
No action alternative: Under this alternative, no SISS
would be implemented. This would not meet the project purpose and need.
No new facilities would be constructed. The existing initial detection
and vectoring system would be used to alert for potential threats, and
harbor security forces would find and attempt to apprehend intruders
without the aid of an underwater interdiction system.
The Navy conducted a literature review and held discussions with
subject matter experts to identify alternatives for implementing the
SISS. Nine action alternatives were identified. These alternatives were
evaluated to determine their ability to meet the minimum operational
selection criteria. All but three were eliminated from further
consideration. The Sea Lions Only alternative was added for
consideration following scoping.
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.
[[Page 99]]
No significant adverse impacts are identified for any resource
area. In accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, the
Navy is seeking concurrence with NMFS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) for ``may affect, not likely to adversely affect''
determinations for federally listed species. The Navy is coordinating
with 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 best meet the needs of the Navy given that all
reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts have been considered.
The Draft EIS was distributed to Federal, State, and local
agencies, elected officials, and other interested individuals and
organizations on December 24, 2008. The public comment period will end
on March 1, 2009. Copies of the Draft EIS 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 Townsend Public Library, 1220 Lawrence St., Port
Townsend, WA.
Poulsbo Branch Library, 700 NE Lincoln St., Poulsbo, WA.
Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave. Seattle, WA.
Tacoma Main Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, WA.
Quinault Indian Nation Tribal Library, P.O. Box 189,
Taholah, WA.
Skokomish Tribal Center, N 80 Tribal Center Road, Shelton,
WA.
Valley View Library, 17850 Military Rd. S., SeaTac, WA.
The SISS Draft EIS is also available for electronic public viewing
at: https://www.nbkeis.gcsaic.com. Additional information about access
to the SISS DEIS is available by contacting Navy Region North West,
Environmental Public Affairs Office, Attn: Sheila Murray, 1100 Hunley
Road, Building 1100 Silverdale, WA, 98315, 360-396-4981.
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 and will be responded
to in the Final EIS. 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 Department of the Navy, SSC Pacific, 53560 Hull
St., San Diego, CA 92152, Attn: Mike Rothe, Fax: 619-221-5251, e-mail:
NBKEIS@spawar.navy.mil during the comment period. All written comments
must be postmarked by March 1, 2009, to ensure they become part of the
official record. All comments will be addressed in the Final EIS.
Dated: December 22, 2008.
T. M. Cruz,
Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-31200 Filed 12-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P