Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Basing of MV-22 and H-1 Aircraft in Support of III Marine Expeditionary Force Elements in Hawaii, 70118-70120 [2011-29119]
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70118
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2011 / Notices
Government as represented by the
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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Suite 6541, Fort George G. Meade, MD
20755–6541, telephone (443) 479–9569.
Dated: November 4, 2011.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2011–29064 Filed 11–9–11; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
Basing of MV–22 and H–1 Aircraft in
Support of III Marine Expeditionary
Force Elements in Hawaii
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
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 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR]
Parts 1500–1508), Department of Navy
(DoN) NEPA regulations (32 CFR part
775), and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)
NEPA directives (Marine Corps Order
P5090.2A, change 2), DoN has prepared
and filed with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
that evaluates the potential
environmental consequences that may
result from the basing of Osprey tiltrotor
(MV–22) and Cobra and Huey attack and
utility (H–1) aircraft in support of III
Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)
elements in Hawaii. The Department of
the Army (DoA) is a cooperating agency
for this DEIS because the proposed
squadrons would train on land currently
owned or controlled by the DoA.
With the filing of the DEIS, the DoN
is initiating a 45-day public comment
period and has scheduled five public
comment meetings to receive oral and
written comments on the DEIS. Federal,
state and local agencies and interested
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SUMMARY:
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parties are encouraged to provide
comments in person at any of the public
comment meetings, or in writing
anytime during the public comment
period. This Notice announces the dates
and locations of the public meetings and
provides supplementary information
about the environmental planning effort.
Per 36 CFR part 800.8, the DoN is
integrating the NEPA and National
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) public
involvement processes. In addition to
meeting NEPA public involvement
requirements, the public meetings will
provide opportunities for NHPA Section
106 input regarding the identification
and treatment of historic properties.
DATES: The DEIS will be distributed to
Federal, State, and local agencies,
elected officials, and other interested
parties on November 10, 2011, initiating
the public comment period, which will
end on December 27, 2011. Each of the
five public meetings will have specific
times set aside for NHPA Section 106
public involvement and an
informational open house. USMC and
DoN representatives will be available to
clarify information related to the DEIS.
The public comment meetings will be
held on the dates and at the times and
locations indicated below:
1. Wednesday, November 30, 2011,
Waimea Elementary School Cafeteria,
67–1225 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela, HI,
5:30–6:30 p.m.: NHPA Section 106
input, 6:30–8:30 p.m.: Open house.
2. Thursday, December 1, 2011, Hilo
Intermediate School Cafeteria, 587
Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI, 4:30–
5:30 p.m.: NHPA Section 106 input,
5:30–7:30 p.m.: Open house.
3. Tuesday, December 6, 2011,
Mililani Middle School Cafeteria, 95–
1140 Lehiwa Drive, Mililani, HI, 5:30–
6:30 p.m.: NHPA Section 106 input,
6:30–8:30 p.m.: Open house.
4. Wednesday, December 7, 2011,
Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate
School Cafeteria, 41–1330 Kalanianaole
Highway, Waimanalo, HI, 5:30–6:30
p.m.: NHPA Section 106 input, 6:30–
8:30 p.m.: Open house.
5. Thursday, December 8, 2011, Castle
High School Cafeteria, 45–386 Kaneohe
Bay Drive, Kaneohe, HI, 5:30–6:30 p.m.:
NHPA Section 106 input, 6:30–9 p.m.:
Open house.
Attendees will be able to submit
written comments at the public
meetings. DEIS team members will be
present to receive oral comments;
however, to ensure the accuracy of the
record, all statements should be
submitted in writing. Equal weight will
be given to oral and written statements.
All statements submitted during the
public review period will become part
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of the public record on the DEIS and
will be addressed in the Final EIS.
Comments may also be submitted by
U.S. mail or electronically, as described
below.
The DEIS is available at the project
Web site, www.mcbh.usmc.mil/
mv22h1eis [please note: 1, before ‘‘eis’’
in the Web site address, is numeric],
and at the libraries identified at the end
of this notice.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the DEIS can
be submitted via the project Web site or
submitted in writing to: Department of
the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering
Command, Pacific Division, Attn: EV21,
MV–22/H–1 EIS Project Manager, 258
Makalapa Drive, Suite 100, Pearl
Harbor, HI 96860–3134. Mailed
comments must be postmarked no later
than December 27, 2011, and electronic
comments must be submitted by
midnight, December 27, 2011, to be
considered in this environmental review
process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Pacific Division, Attn: EV21, MV–22/H–
1 EIS Project Manager, 258 Makalapa
Drive, Suite 100, Pearl Harbor, HI
96860–3134.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice
of Intent for the EIS was published in
the Federal Register on August 6, 2010
(Vol. 75, No. 151, pp. 47562–47564).
Proposed Action
The Proposed Action includes: (1)
Basing and operating up to two Marine
Medium Tiltrotor Squadrons (VMM)
and one Marine Light Attack Helicopter
Squadron (HMLA) to service USMC
operations in Hawaii, and (2)
conducting aviation training, readiness,
and special exercise operations to attain
and maintain proficiency in the
employment of the MV–22 and H–1
(AH–1 and UH–1) aircraft at training
facilities statewide. Demolition, new
construction, and renovation are
proposed to develop basing facilities for
the VMM and HMLA squadrons.
Specific activities would include:
Construction, demolition and
renovation of hangars and other
structures; taxiway and parking apron
improvements; construction of
additional bachelor enlisted quarters
(BEQs); construction of Marine Aviation
Group 24 headquarters and parking
structure; and expansion of Marine
Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 aircraft
maintenance facilities. Existing facilities
would be used to the extent possible.
Purpose and Need
The purpose of the Proposed Action
is to ensure that the Marine Air Ground
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2011 / Notices
Task Force (MAGTF) is capable of
supporting the needs of the III MEF
operational commander to carry out
legally mandated responsibilities in
Hawaii. The need for the Proposed
Action is to correct existing rotary-wing
deficiencies of the MAGTF in Hawaii
and the need for ‘‘work-arounds’’
through gap deployments from
elsewhere (e.g., from the continental
U.S.). The purpose and need described
here support the goals stated in the
FY2011 Aviation Plan: (1) Sustain
wartime operational tempo while
improving current readiness and
effectiveness through efficient use of
existing resources; (2) execute planned
transition strategies from legacy
equipment to advanced capabilities of
the next generation of equipment; and
(3) improve war-fighting integration
between the air, ground, and logistic
elements of the MAGTF.
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Alternatives Considered in the DEIS
The DEIS evaluates the following
facility alternatives at Marine Corps
Base (MCB) Hawaii Kaneohe Bay:
Alternative A (preferred):
Accommodate all aviation facilities on
the southeast side of the runway.
Alternative B: Accommodate MV–22
facilities on the northwest side of the
runway at West Field, and
accommodate all other aviation facilities
on the southeast side of the runway;
construct a runway underpass for access
to West Field.
No Action Alternative: The following
elements would be the same under both
action alternatives: Number and type of
personnel added to MCB Hawaii
Kaneohe Bay, types of basing facilities
that are required, improvements at
training areas, and type and tempo of
training operations. Both action
alternatives would involve demolition,
new construction, replacement, and
renovation of facilities at MCB Hawaii
Kaneohe Bay, and include
improvements to existing facilities at
Marine Corps Training Area Bellows
(MCTAB) on the island of Oahu,
Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the
island of Hawaii, and Molokai Training
Support Facility (MTSF) on the island
of Molokai.
Under either Alternative A or B, the
VMM and HMLA squadrons would
conduct training operations at: MCTAB;
the DoA’s Kahuku, Kawailoa, and
Schofield Barracks East Range Training
Areas and Dillingham Military
Reservation on the island of Oahu; PTA
and Upolu Airport on the island of
Hawaii; Pacific Missile Range Facility
on the island of Kauai; MTSF and
Kalaupapa Airport on the island of
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Molokai; and the Hawaii Army National
Guard Facility on the island of Maui.
With the No Action Alternative, the
VMM and HMLA squadrons would not
be based in Hawaii, and no facilities
would be constructed at MCB Hawaii
Kaneohe Bay or at the training areas to
accommodate them. The No Action
Alternative does not meet the purpose
and need for the proposed action, but is
included to provide a baseline against
which the action alternatives may be
compared.
Potential impacts are evaluated in the
DEIS under all alternatives for the
following resources/issues: Land use;
airspace; air quality; noise; geology,
soils, and topography; drainage,
hydrology, and water quality; biological
resources; cultural resources; safety and
environmental health; socioeconomics;
infrastructure; and energy use.
The DEIS describes an array of
conservation and construction measures
and features of project design and
planning that would avoid or minimize
most potential impacts. The proposed
action would fully comply with
regulatory requirements for the
protection of environmental resources.
Implementing Alternative A or B
would have construction impacts on
cultural resources at MCB Hawaii
Kaneohe Bay and at MCTAB, as well as
potential impacts from MV–22 rotor
downwash on archaeological sites in
some of the training areas. Impacts on
historic buildings and archaeological
resources at MCB Hawaii Kaneohe Bay
would vary between the two alternatives
due to the placement of some facilities
on different sides of the runway, as well
as different options presented for BEQ
demolition and construction. Impacts
on archaeological resources at MCTAB
would depend on the depth of grounddisturbing activities during
construction. Impacts on archaeological
features at certain landing zones (LZs)
in the Kahuku and Kawailoa Training
Areas on the island of Oahu and at PTA
on the island of Hawaii cannot currently
be assessed because archaeological
surveys of those areas have not been
completed. The extent of impacts due to
MV–22 rotor downwash would depend
on the location and depth of such
features. Surveys of these areas will be
completed and any impacts evaluated
prior to use of the LZs by the MV–22
squadrons (VMM). Any required
avoidance or mitigation measures for
cultural resources impacts resulting
from implementation of the proposed
action would be documented in the
Programmatic Agreement being
prepared as part of the NHPA Section
106 process.
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70119
With Alternative A or B, there is a
potential for traffic impacts at MCB
Hawaii Kaneohe Bay. These would be
mitigated with improvements at three
intersections and improvement of
procedures at the entry gates for
increased efficiency and capacity.
Impacts on the endangered Hawaiian
hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus)
are possible at the DoA training areas on
Oahu and at PTA on the island of
Hawaii. DoN has submitted a biological
evaluation to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service with a determination of ‘‘may
affect but not likely to adversely affect,’’
in compliance with Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act. In addition,
DoN has made ‘‘no effect’’
determinations for two endangered
species at PTA, creeping mint
(Stenogyne angustifolia) and nene or
Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis).
Another possible impact during
operations is erosion due to MV–22
rotor downwash at unpaved LZs where
soils have high erosion potential
(Schofield Barracks East Range and
parts of Kawailoa Training Area).
Conditions would be monitored at these
landing zones. Should field
observations verify the occurrence of
soil erosion, the USMC would work
with the range manager to implement
appropriate repairs or other
management actions.
Schedule: The Notice of Availability
publication in the Federal Register and
local print media starts the 45-day
public comment period for the DEIS.
The USMC will consider and respond to
all written and electronic comments,
including email, submitted as described
above in preparing the Final EIS. DoN
intends to issue the Final EIS in 2012,
at which time a Notice of Availability
will be published in the Federal
Register and local media. A Record of
Decision is expected in 2012.
Copies of the DEIS are available for
public review at the following libraries
within the State of Hawaii:
1. Island of Hawaii Libraries:
Hilo: 300 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, HI
96720.
Hilo: UH Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St, Hilo,
HI 96720.
Kailua-Kona: 75–138 Hualalai Rd,
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
North Kohala: 54–3645 Akoni Pule
Hwy, Kapaau, HI 96755.
Thelma Parker: 67–1209 Mamalahoa
Hwy, Kamuela, HI 96743.
2. Island of Maui Libraries:
Kahului: 90 School St, Kahului, HI
96732.
Kahului: UH Maui College, 310 W.
Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului, HI 96732.
Kihei: 35 Waimahaihai St, Kihei, HI
96753.
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2011 / Notices
Wailuku: 251 High St, Wailuku, HI
96793.
3. Island of Kauai Libraries:
Lihue: 4344 Hardy St, Lihue, HI
96766.
Lihue: Kauai Community College, 3–
1901 Kaumualii Hwy, Lihue, HI 96766.
Waimea: P.O. Box 397, Waimea, HI
96796.
4. Island of Molokai Library:
Kaunakakai: P.O. Box 395,
Kaunakakai, HI 96748.
5. Island of Oahu Libraries:
Honolulu: Hawaii State Library, 478
S. King St, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Honolulu: UH Manoa—Hamilton
Library, 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu,
HI 96822.
Kahuku: 56–490 Kamehameha Hwy,
Kahuku, HI 96731.
Kailua: 239 Kuulei Rd, Kailua, HI
96734.
Kaneohe: 45–829 Kamehameha Hwy,
Kaneohe, HI 96744.
Kaneohe Windward Community
College, 45–720 Keaahala Rd, Kaneohe,
HI 96744.
Mililani: 95–450 Makaimoimo St,
Mililani, HI 96789.
Wahiawa: 820 California Ave,
Wahiawa, HI 96786.
Waialua: P.O. Box 684, Waialua, HI
96791.
Waimanalo: 41–1320 Kalanianaole
Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795.
Dated: November 3, 2011.
L. M. Senay,
Lieutenant, Office of the Judge Advocate
General, U.S. Navy, Alternate Federal Register
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011–29119 Filed 11–9–11; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Notice of Submission for OMB Review
Department of Education.
Comment Request.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Director, Information
Collection Clearance Division, Privacy,
Information and Records Management
Services, Office of Management, invites
comments on the submission for OMB
review as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13).
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before
December 12, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be addressed to the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Attention: Education Desk Officer,
Office of Management and Budget, 725
17th Street NW., Room 10222, New
Executive Office Building, Washington,
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emailed to oira_submission@omb.eop.
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Please note that written comments
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
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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. The OMB is
particularly interested in comments
which: (1) Evaluate whether the
proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
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burden of the proposed collection of
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of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including through
the use of appropriate automated,
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technological collection techniques or
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Dated: November 7, 2011.
Darrin King,
Director, Information Collection Clearance
Division, Privacy, Information and Records
Management Services, Office of Management.
Institute of Education Sciences
Type of Review: Revision.
Title of Collection: 2011–12 National
Postsecondary Student Aid Study
(NPSAS:12) Full Scale Student Data
Collection.
OMB Control Number: 1850–0666.
Agency Form Number(s): N/A.
Frequency of Responses: Annually.
Affected Public: Individuals or
Households; Not-for-Profit Institutions.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 89,631.
Total Estimated Annual Burden
Hours: 72,637.
Abstract: National Postsecondary
Student Aid Study (NPSAS), a
nationally representative study of how
students and their families finance
education beyond high school, was first
implemented by the National Center for
Education Statistics (NCES) in 1987 and
has been fielded every three to four
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cycle in the series, NPSAS:12, and
supplements the recently obtained
approval for NPSAS:12 collection of
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institutional data (OMB# 1850–0666
v.9). NPSAS:12 will also serve as the
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Study (BPS) of first-time postsecondary
students that will focus on issues of
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employment outcome. BPS will conduct
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with revised strata for institution
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This submission requests approval for
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student interviews, and post-data
collection administrative record
matching for the full-scale NPSAS:12.
Copies of the information collection
submission for OMB review may be
accessed from the RegInfo.gov Web site
at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain or from the Department’s Web
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selecting the ‘‘Browse Pending
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Written requests for information should
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 218 (Thursday, November 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70118-70120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29119]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement for Basing of MV-22 and H-1 Aircraft in Support of III Marine
Expeditionary Force Elements in Hawaii
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts
1500-1508), Department of Navy (DoN) NEPA regulations (32 CFR part
775), and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) NEPA directives (Marine Corps Order
P5090.2A, change 2), DoN has prepared and filed with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency a Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) that evaluates the potential environmental consequences that may
result from the basing of Osprey tiltrotor (MV-22) and Cobra and Huey
attack and utility (H-1) aircraft in support of III Marine
Expeditionary Force (MEF) elements in Hawaii. The Department of the
Army (DoA) is a cooperating agency for this DEIS because the proposed
squadrons would train on land currently owned or controlled by the DoA.
With the filing of the DEIS, the DoN is initiating a 45-day public
comment period and has scheduled five public comment meetings to
receive oral and written comments on the DEIS. Federal, state and local
agencies and interested parties are encouraged to provide comments in
person at any of the public comment meetings, or in writing anytime
during the public comment period. This Notice announces the dates and
locations of the public meetings and provides supplementary information
about the environmental planning effort.
Per 36 CFR part 800.8, the DoN is integrating the NEPA and National
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) public involvement processes. In
addition to meeting NEPA public involvement requirements, the public
meetings will provide opportunities for NHPA Section 106 input
regarding the identification and treatment of historic properties.
DATES: The DEIS will be distributed to Federal, State, and local
agencies, elected officials, and other interested parties on November
10, 2011, initiating the public comment period, which will end on
December 27, 2011. Each of the five public meetings will have specific
times set aside for NHPA Section 106 public involvement and an
informational open house. USMC and DoN representatives will be
available to clarify information related to the DEIS. The public
comment meetings will be held on the dates and at the times and
locations indicated below:
1. Wednesday, November 30, 2011, Waimea Elementary School
Cafeteria, 67-1225 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela, HI, 5:30-6:30 p.m.: NHPA
Section 106 input, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Open house.
2. Thursday, December 1, 2011, Hilo Intermediate School Cafeteria,
587 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI, 4:30-5:30 p.m.: NHPA Section 106
input, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Open house.
3. Tuesday, December 6, 2011, Mililani Middle School Cafeteria, 95-
1140 Lehiwa Drive, Mililani, HI, 5:30-6:30 p.m.: NHPA Section 106
input, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Open house.
4. Wednesday, December 7, 2011, Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate
School Cafeteria, 41-1330 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo, HI, 5:30-
6:30 p.m.: NHPA Section 106 input, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Open house.
5. Thursday, December 8, 2011, Castle High School Cafeteria, 45-386
Kaneohe Bay Drive, Kaneohe, HI, 5:30-6:30 p.m.: NHPA Section 106 input,
6:30-9 p.m.: Open house.
Attendees will be able to submit written comments at the public
meetings. DEIS team members will be present to receive oral comments;
however, to ensure the accuracy of the record, all statements should be
submitted in writing. Equal weight will be given to oral and written
statements. All statements submitted during the public review period
will become part of the public record on the DEIS and will be addressed
in the Final EIS. Comments may also be submitted by U.S. mail or
electronically, as described below.
The DEIS is available at the project Web site, www.mcbh.usmc.mil/mv22h1eis [please note: 1, before ``eis'' in the Web site address, is
numeric], and at the libraries identified at the end of this notice.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the DEIS can be submitted via the project Web
site or submitted in writing to: Department of the Navy, Naval
Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific Division, Attn: EV21, MV-22/H-1
EIS Project Manager, 258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100, Pearl Harbor, HI
96860-3134. Mailed comments must be postmarked no later than December
27, 2011, and electronic comments must be submitted by midnight,
December 27, 2011, to be considered in this environmental review
process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Pacific Division, Attn: EV21, MV-22/H-1 EIS Project Manager, 258
Makalapa Drive, Suite 100, Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice of Intent for the EIS was published
in the Federal Register on August 6, 2010 (Vol. 75, No. 151, pp. 47562-
47564).
Proposed Action
The Proposed Action includes: (1) Basing and operating up to two
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadrons (VMM) and one Marine Light Attack
Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) to service USMC operations in Hawaii, and
(2) conducting aviation training, readiness, and special exercise
operations to attain and maintain proficiency in the employment of the
MV-22 and H-1 (AH-1 and UH-1) aircraft at training facilities
statewide. Demolition, new construction, and renovation are proposed to
develop basing facilities for the VMM and HMLA squadrons. Specific
activities would include: Construction, demolition and renovation of
hangars and other structures; taxiway and parking apron improvements;
construction of additional bachelor enlisted quarters (BEQs);
construction of Marine Aviation Group 24 headquarters and parking
structure; and expansion of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24
aircraft maintenance facilities. Existing facilities would be used to
the extent possible.
Purpose and Need
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to ensure that the Marine Air
Ground
[[Page 70119]]
Task Force (MAGTF) is capable of supporting the needs of the III MEF
operational commander to carry out legally mandated responsibilities in
Hawaii. The need for the Proposed Action is to correct existing rotary-
wing deficiencies of the MAGTF in Hawaii and the need for ``work-
arounds'' through gap deployments from elsewhere (e.g., from the
continental U.S.). The purpose and need described here support the
goals stated in the FY2011 Aviation Plan: (1) Sustain wartime
operational tempo while improving current readiness and effectiveness
through efficient use of existing resources; (2) execute planned
transition strategies from legacy equipment to advanced capabilities of
the next generation of equipment; and (3) improve war-fighting
integration between the air, ground, and logistic elements of the
MAGTF.
Alternatives Considered in the DEIS
The DEIS evaluates the following facility alternatives at Marine
Corps Base (MCB) Hawaii Kaneohe Bay:
Alternative A (preferred): Accommodate all aviation facilities on
the southeast side of the runway.
Alternative B: Accommodate MV-22 facilities on the northwest side
of the runway at West Field, and accommodate all other aviation
facilities on the southeast side of the runway; construct a runway
underpass for access to West Field.
No Action Alternative: The following elements would be the same
under both action alternatives: Number and type of personnel added to
MCB Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, types of basing facilities that are required,
improvements at training areas, and type and tempo of training
operations. Both action alternatives would involve demolition, new
construction, replacement, and renovation of facilities at MCB Hawaii
Kaneohe Bay, and include improvements to existing facilities at Marine
Corps Training Area Bellows (MCTAB) on the island of Oahu, Pohakuloa
Training Area (PTA) on the island of Hawaii, and Molokai Training
Support Facility (MTSF) on the island of Molokai.
Under either Alternative A or B, the VMM and HMLA squadrons would
conduct training operations at: MCTAB; the DoA's Kahuku, Kawailoa, and
Schofield Barracks East Range Training Areas and Dillingham Military
Reservation on the island of Oahu; PTA and Upolu Airport on the island
of Hawaii; Pacific Missile Range Facility on the island of Kauai; MTSF
and Kalaupapa Airport on the island of Molokai; and the Hawaii Army
National Guard Facility on the island of Maui.
With the No Action Alternative, the VMM and HMLA squadrons would
not be based in Hawaii, and no facilities would be constructed at MCB
Hawaii Kaneohe Bay or at the training areas to accommodate them. The No
Action Alternative does not meet the purpose and need for the proposed
action, but is included to provide a baseline against which the action
alternatives may be compared.
Potential impacts are evaluated in the DEIS under all alternatives
for the following resources/issues: Land use; airspace; air quality;
noise; geology, soils, and topography; drainage, hydrology, and water
quality; biological resources; cultural resources; safety and
environmental health; socioeconomics; infrastructure; and energy use.
The DEIS describes an array of conservation and construction
measures and features of project design and planning that would avoid
or minimize most potential impacts. The proposed action would fully
comply with regulatory requirements for the protection of environmental
resources.
Implementing Alternative A or B would have construction impacts on
cultural resources at MCB Hawaii Kaneohe Bay and at MCTAB, as well as
potential impacts from MV-22 rotor downwash on archaeological sites in
some of the training areas. Impacts on historic buildings and
archaeological resources at MCB Hawaii Kaneohe Bay would vary between
the two alternatives due to the placement of some facilities on
different sides of the runway, as well as different options presented
for BEQ demolition and construction. Impacts on archaeological
resources at MCTAB would depend on the depth of ground-disturbing
activities during construction. Impacts on archaeological features at
certain landing zones (LZs) in the Kahuku and Kawailoa Training Areas
on the island of Oahu and at PTA on the island of Hawaii cannot
currently be assessed because archaeological surveys of those areas
have not been completed. The extent of impacts due to MV-22 rotor
downwash would depend on the location and depth of such features.
Surveys of these areas will be completed and any impacts evaluated
prior to use of the LZs by the MV-22 squadrons (VMM). Any required
avoidance or mitigation measures for cultural resources impacts
resulting from implementation of the proposed action would be
documented in the Programmatic Agreement being prepared as part of the
NHPA Section 106 process.
With Alternative A or B, there is a potential for traffic impacts
at MCB Hawaii Kaneohe Bay. These would be mitigated with improvements
at three intersections and improvement of procedures at the entry gates
for increased efficiency and capacity.
Impacts on the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus
semotus) are possible at the DoA training areas on Oahu and at PTA on
the island of Hawaii. DoN has submitted a biological evaluation to the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service with a determination of ``may affect but
not likely to adversely affect,'' in compliance with Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act. In addition, DoN has made ``no effect''
determinations for two endangered species at PTA, creeping mint
(Stenogyne angustifolia) and nene or Hawaiian goose (Branta
sandvicensis).
Another possible impact during operations is erosion due to MV-22
rotor downwash at unpaved LZs where soils have high erosion potential
(Schofield Barracks East Range and parts of Kawailoa Training Area).
Conditions would be monitored at these landing zones. Should field
observations verify the occurrence of soil erosion, the USMC would work
with the range manager to implement appropriate repairs or other
management actions.
Schedule: The Notice of Availability publication in the Federal
Register and local print media starts the 45-day public comment period
for the DEIS. The USMC will consider and respond to all written and
electronic comments, including email, submitted as described above in
preparing the Final EIS. DoN intends to issue the Final EIS in 2012, at
which time a Notice of Availability will be published in the Federal
Register and local media. A Record of Decision is expected in 2012.
Copies of the DEIS are available for public review at the following
libraries within the State of Hawaii:
1. Island of Hawaii Libraries:
Hilo: 300 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, HI 96720.
Hilo: UH Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St, Hilo, HI 96720.
Kailua-Kona: 75-138 Hualalai Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
North Kohala: 54-3645 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapaau, HI 96755.
Thelma Parker: 67-1209 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela, HI 96743.
2. Island of Maui Libraries:
Kahului: 90 School St, Kahului, HI 96732.
Kahului: UH Maui College, 310 W. Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului, HI 96732.
Kihei: 35 Waimahaihai St, Kihei, HI 96753.
[[Page 70120]]
Wailuku: 251 High St, Wailuku, HI 96793.
3. Island of Kauai Libraries:
Lihue: 4344 Hardy St, Lihue, HI 96766.
Lihue: Kauai Community College, 3-1901 Kaumualii Hwy, Lihue, HI
96766.
Waimea: P.O. Box 397, Waimea, HI 96796.
4. Island of Molokai Library:
Kaunakakai: P.O. Box 395, Kaunakakai, HI 96748.
5. Island of Oahu Libraries:
Honolulu: Hawaii State Library, 478 S. King St, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Honolulu: UH Manoa--Hamilton Library, 2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu,
HI 96822.
Kahuku: 56-490 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731.
Kailua: 239 Kuulei Rd, Kailua, HI 96734.
Kaneohe: 45-829 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744.
Kaneohe Windward Community College, 45-720 Keaahala Rd, Kaneohe, HI
96744.
Mililani: 95-450 Makaimoimo St, Mililani, HI 96789.
Wahiawa: 820 California Ave, Wahiawa, HI 96786.
Waialua: P.O. Box 684, Waialua, HI 96791.
Waimanalo: 41-1320 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795.
Dated: November 3, 2011.
L. M. Senay,
Lieutenant, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Alternate
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-29119 Filed 11-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
