Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for Military Readiness Activities in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing Study Area, 56682-56684 [2013-22296]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 178 / Friday, September 13, 2013 / Notices
Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps),
Seattle District, as lead Federal agency,
will prepare a Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)
evaluating the Grays Harbor Navigation
Improvement Project. The purpose of
this supplement is to address proposed
changes to the Grays Harbor and
Chehalis River Navigation Project
developed since the Corps prepared the
1982 Grays Harbor, Chehalis and
Hoquiam Rivers, Washington Channel
Improvements for Navigation Interim
Feasibility Report and Final
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
and its 1989 supplement. The SEIS
updates the original EIS and its
supplement with more recent relevant
environmental information, and updates
the description of effects that may
potentially occur from implementing
the proposed action. The SEIS will
evaluate the practicality and potential
environmental impacts of three
alternatives: two with varying channel
depths and no action.
SUMMARY:
To be included on the
mailing list for review of the SEIS, all
requests should be submitted to Mr.
Kevin McKeag, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Seattle District, 4735 East
Marginal Way South, Seattle,
Washington, 98134.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Kevin McKeag, Environmental and
Cultural Resources Branch, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, at email:
kevin.j.mckeag@usace.army.mil, by
regular mail (see ADDRESSES), or
telephone: 206–764–3576.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Preparation of an SEIS will inform the
Corps’ eventual decision on whether or
not to implement the proposed action.
As part of the NEPA process, the Corps
will gather and analyze information to
compare the potential environmental
effects of possible project alternatives
and a ‘‘no action’’ alternative in the
SEIS. The SEIS will be prepared to
assess the potential social, economic
and environmental impacts of the
project, and will be sufficient in scope
to address Federal, State and local
regulatory requirements and pertinent
environmental and socio-economic
issues. The Federal SEIS process begins
with publication of this Notice of Intent.
The SEIS will be prepared in
accordance with the Corps’ procedures
for implementing NEPA (33 CFR Part
230) and consistent with the Corps’
policy to facilitate public understanding
and review of agency proposals.
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1. Proposed Action: The proposed
action is to deepen the Federal
navigation deep-draft channel in Grays
Harbor from its currently maintained
depth of minus 36 feet mean lower low
water (MLLW) down to its authorized
depth of minus 38 feet MLLW,
including placement of the dredged
material at existing authorized dredged
material placement sites (including
appropriate upland placement as
necessary for any sediments not meeting
unconfined aquatic placement criteria).
Congress initially authorized
construction of the navigation channel
in the Rivers and Harbors
Appropriations Act of 1899. Dredging of
the navigation channel to a depth of
minus 38 feet MLLW was subsequently
authorized in the form of the Navigation
Improvement Project by Congress in
Section 202 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99–
662) in November 1986.
2. Alternatives: The SEIS will evaluate
the practicability and environmental
impacts of three alternatives, including
the no action alternative: (1) Deepen
channel to minus 37 feet MLLW; (2)
Deepen channel to minus 38 feet
MLLW; and (3) no action (continue to
maintain channel at existing depth of
minus 36 feet MLLW). The draft SEIS
will identify the agency preferred action
alternative, which will be identified in
consideration of overall environmental
impacts and contributions to cumulative
impacts. The potential direct, indirect,
and cumulative impacts of the proposed
action and action alternatives on the
following resource issues will be
analyzed in the SEIS: Vessel traffic and
navigational safety; aquatic habitats;
aquatic species, including Endangered
Species Act-listed species and
Washington State species of concern;
Tribal treaty rights; wetland and
riparian habitat; wildlife; vehicle traffic;
cultural, historic, and archeological
resources; air and water quality; noise;
recreation; land use; and aesthetics.
3. Public Involvement: Initial public
participation included a December 2012
public meeting held at the Port of Grays
Harbor. Additional public involvement
efforts will continue throughout the
development of a Draft SEIS, and when
complete, the Draft SEIS will be
distributed (either mailed or emailed) to
pertinent Federal, State and local
agencies, Government officials, local
libraries, Native American Tribes, and
environmental interest organizations,
and known interested citizens, for
review and comment.
4. Scoping. Consistent with NEPA
procedures, a public scoping meeting
will not be held in the development of
this Supplemental EIS. Comments
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received during the December 2012
public meeting will be used to assist in
development of the Draft SEIS.
5. Other Environmental Review and
Coordination Requirements: The Corps
has and will continue to coordinate
with several agencies and entities
throughout the NEPA process including:
the Port of Grays Harbor, the Quinault
Indian Nation, the Chehalis Tribe,
Northwest Indian Fisheries
Commission, Washington Department of
Ecology, Washington Department of
Fish and Wildlife, Washington
Department of Natural Resources, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, and National
Marine Fisheries Service. The draft SEIS
will address the extent to which the
proposed project is in compliance with
all applicable laws and regulations,
including NEPA, the Clean Water Act,
the Endangered Species Act, the Coastal
Zone Management Act, the Clean Air
Act, the National Historic Preservation
Act, and Treaty Rights.
6. Availability of Draft SEIS. The draft
SEIS is estimated to be completed and
available for public review in fall 2013.
Dated: September 3, 2013.
Bruce A. Estok,
Commanding Officer, COL, EN.
[FR Doc. 2013–22286 Filed 9–12–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement for Military Readiness
Activities in the Mariana Islands
Training and Testing Study Area
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Pursuant to section 102(2)(c)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, and regulations
implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality (40 Code of
Federal Regulations Parts 1500–1508),
and Presidential Executive Order 12114,
the Department of the Navy (DoN) has
prepared and filed with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency a
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS/OEIS). The Draft EIS/
OEIS evaluates the potential
environmental effects associated with
military readiness training and research,
development, test, and evaluation
activities (training and testing)
conducted within the Mariana Islands
Training and Testing (MITT) Study
SUMMARY:
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tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 178 / Friday, September 13, 2013 / Notices
Area. The National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), the U.S. Air Force, and
the U.S. Coast Guard are cooperating
agencies for this EIS/OEIS.
The MITT Study Area is composed of
established ranges (at-sea ranges and
land based training areas on Guam and
the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana
Islands [CNMI]); operating areas; and
special use airspace in the region of the
Mariana Islands that are part of the
Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC)
and its surrounding seas; includes a
transit corridor between the MIRC and
the Hawaii Range Complex; and Navy
pierside locations where sonar
maintenance and testing activities
occur.
With the filing of the Draft EIS/OEIS,
the DoN is initiating a 60-day public
comment period and has scheduled four
public meetings to receive comments on
the Draft EIS/OEIS. This notice
announces the dates and locations of the
public meetings and provides
supplementary information about the
environmental planning effort.
DATES AND ADDRESSES: The 60-day
Draft EIS/OEIS public review period
will begin September 13, 2013 and end
November 12, 2013. The DoN will hold
four public meetings to inform the
public about the Proposed Action and
alternatives under consideration, and to
provide an opportunity for the public to
comment on the Proposed Action,
alternatives, and the adequacy and
accuracy of the analysis in the Draft EIS/
OEIS. Each of the public meetings will
include an open house information
session and an opportunity to present
oral comments. DoN representatives
will be available during the public
meetings to clarify information related
to the Draft EIS/OEIS. Federal and local
agencies and officials, and interested
organizations and individuals are
encouraged to provide comments in
writing during the public review period
or in person at one of the scheduled
public meetings.
The public meetings will be held
between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the
following dates:
1. October 7, 2013, at the University
of Guam, Leon Guerrero School of
Business and Public Administration
Building, Anthony Leon Guerrero MultiPurpose Room 129, Mangilao, Guam
96923.
2. October 8, 2013, at the Pedro P.
Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in
Susupe, Saipan, MP 96950.
3. October 9, 2013, at the Tinian High
School Cafeteria, San Jose Village,
Tinian, MP 96952.
4. October 10, 2013, at the Sinapalo
Elementary School Cafeteria, Sinapalo I,
Songsong Village, Rota, MP 96951.
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18:23 Sep 12, 2013
Jkt 229001
Attendees will be able to submit oral
and written comments during the public
meetings. Oral comments from the
public will be recorded by a court
reporter. In the interest of available
time, and to ensure all who wish to
provide an oral comment to the court
reporter have the opportunity to do so,
each speaker’s comments will be limited
to three (3) minutes, which may be
extended if meeting attendance permits.
Equal weight will be given to oral and
written statements. Comments may also
be submitted via the U.S. Postal Service
to Naval Facilities Engineering
Command Pacific, Attention: MITT EIS/
OEIS Project Manager, 258 Makalapa
Drive, Suite 100, Pearl Harbor, HI
96860–3134, or electronically via the
project Web site (www.MITT-EIS.com).
All comments, oral or written,
submitted during the public review
period will become part of the public
record on the Draft EIS/OEIS and will be
responded to in the Final EIS/OEIS. All
public comments must be postmarked
or received by November 12, 2013,
Chamorro Standard Time (ChST) to
ensure they become part of the official
record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command
Pacific, Attention: MITT EIS/OEIS
Project Manager, 258 Makalapa Drive,
Suite 100, Pearl Harbor, HI 96860–3134.
A Notice
of Intent to prepare this Draft EIS/OEIS
was published in the Federal Register
on September 8, 2011 (Vol. 76, No. 174,
pp. 55653–55654).
The DoN’s Proposed Action is to
conduct training and testing activities,
which may include the use of active
Sound Navigation and Ranging (sonar)
and explosives, primarily in established
operating and military warning areas of
the MITT Study Area. The Proposed
Action also includes pierside sonar
maintenance and testing alongside Navy
piers located in Inner Apra Harbor, and
land-based training activities at existing
ranges and other training locations on
Guam and the CNMI.
The purpose of the Proposed Action
is to achieve and maintain military
readiness to meet the requirements of
Title 10 of the U.S. Code, thereby
ensuring that the DoN and other
military services accomplish their
mission to maintain, train, and equip
combat-ready military forces capable of
winning wars, deterring aggression, and
maintaining freedom of the seas. This
Draft EIS/OEIS will also support the
renewal of federal regulatory permits
and authorizations for current training
and testing activities and to propose
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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56683
future activities requiring
environmental analysis.
The Draft EIS/OEIS evaluates the
potential environmental impacts of
three alternatives, including the No
Action Alternative. The No Action
Alternative continues baseline training
and testing activities, and airspace and
seaspace reconfigurations, as defined by
existing environmental planning
documents. Alternative 1 (Preferred
Alternative) consists of the No Action
Alternative, plus adjustments to the
Study Area boundaries and to the types
and levels of training and testing
activities as necessary to support
current and planned requirements. This
alternative consists of activities
conducted throughout the Study Area
and mission requirements associated
with force structure changes, including
those resulting from the development,
testing, and ultimate introduction of
new vessels, aircraft, and weapons
systems into the Fleet. Alternative 2
consists of all activities that would
occur under Alternative 1, plus
additional adjustments to the types and
levels of training and testing activities.
Alternative 2 is contingent upon
potential budget increases, strategic
necessity, and future training and
testing requirements.
In this EIS/OEIS, the DoN analyzes
potential impacts on environmental
resources resulting from activities under
the alternatives. Resources evaluated
include sediments and water quality, air
quality, marine habitats, marine
mammals, sea turtles, marine birds,
marine vegetation, marine invertebrates,
fish, terrestrial species and habitats,
cultural resources, socioeconomic
resources, and public health and safety.
DoN is requesting from NMFS a
Marine Mammal Protection Act
incidental take authorization and
governing regulations for the incidental
take of marine mammals that may result
from the implementation of the
activities analyzed in the Draft EIS/
OEIS. In accordance with Section 7 of
the Endangered Species Act, the DoN is
consulting with NMFS and U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service on the potential
impacts of training and testing activities
on federally listed species. In
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act, the DoN is consulting with NMFS
on federally managed species and their
essential fish habitat.
The Draft EIS/OEIS was distributed to
Federal and local agencies, elected
officials, and other interested
organizations and individuals. Copies of
the Draft EIS/OEIS are also available for
public review at the following public
libraries:
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 178 / Friday, September 13, 2013 / Notices
1. University of Guam Robert F.
Kennedy Memorial Library, Government
Documents Tan Siu Lin Building,
University of Guam Station, Mangilao,
GU 96923.
2. Tinian Public Library, P.O. Box
520704, Tinian, MP 96952.
3. Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Insatto
St., Beach Road, Susupe P.O. Box
501092, Saipan, MP 96950.
4. Nieves M. Flores Memorial Public
Library, 254 Martyr St., Hagatna, GU
96910.
5. Rota Public Library, P.O. Box 537,
Rota, MP 96951.
The Draft EIS/OEIS is also available
for electronic viewing at www.MITT–
EIS.com. A compact disc of the Draft
EIS/OEIS will be made available upon
written request by contacting: Naval
Facilities Engineering Command Pacific,
Attention: MITT EIS/OEIS Project
Manager, 258 Makalapa Drive, Suite
100, Pearl Harbor, HI 96860–3134.
Dated: September 5, 2013.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate
General, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison
Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013–22296 Filed 9–12–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 2972–022]
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Woonsocket Falls Project, City of
Woonsocket; Notice of Application
Accepted for Filing, Soliciting
Comments, Motions To Intervene, and
Protests
Take notice that the following
hydroelectric application has been filed
with the Commission and is available
for public inspection:
a. Type of Application: Amendment
of License.
b. Project No.: 2972–022.
c. Date Filed: June 21, 2012.
d. Applicant: City of Woonsocket.
e. Name of Project: Woonsocket Falls
Project.
f. Location: On the Blackstone River,
in Providence County, Woonsocket,
Rhode Island.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power
Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a–825r.
h. Applicants Contact: Mr. Michael
Debroisse, Engineering, City of
Woonsocket, 169 Main Street,
Woonsocket, RI 02895, (401) 762–6400.
Mr. Sean Coffey, Burns & Levinson
LLP, One Citizens Plaza, Suite 1100,
Providence, RI 02903, (401) 831–8173.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:23 Sep 12, 2013
Jkt 229001
i. FERC Contact: Mr. Mark Pawlowski,
(202) 502–6052, mark.pawlowski@
ferc.gov
j. Deadline for filing comments,
motions to intervene, and protests is 30
days from the issuance date of this
notice by the Commission. The
Commission strongly encourages
electronic filing. Please file comments,
motions to intervene, and protests using
the Commission’s eFiling system at
https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
efiling.asp. Commenters can submit
brief comments up to 6,000 characters,
without prior registration, using the
eComment system at https://
www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
ecomment.asp. You must include your
name and contact information at the end
of your comments. For assistance,
please contact FERC Online Support at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866)
208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659
(TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please
send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.
The first page of any filing should
include docket number P–2972–022.
k. Description of Request: The
licensee requests to amend its license to
remove the Woonsocket Falls Dam and
impoundment as licensed project
facilities because the dam and
impoundment have been transferred to
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
pursuant to the requirements of section
2875 of the National Defense
Authorization Act of 2008 (PL 110–181).
The licensee would continue to operate
and maintain the hydroelectric facilities
consisting of: (1) An intake structure
constructed on the east bank of the river
about 60 feet upstream from the dam; (2)
two 8-foot diameter concrete penstocks;
(3) a powerhouse located about 240 feet
downstream from the dam; (4) a 1,200foot-long, 13.8-kilovolt (kV)
transmission line; and (5) appurtenant
facilities.
l. Locations of the Application: A
copy of the application is available for
inspection and reproduction at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room,
located at 888 First Street, NE., Room
2A, Washington, DC 20426, or by calling
(202) 502–8371. This filing may also be
viewed on the Commission’s Web site at
https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number
excluding the last three digits in the
docket number field to access the
document. You may also register online
at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
esubscription.asp to be notified via
email of new filings and issuances
related to this or other pending projects.
For assistance, call 1–866–208- 3676 or
email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, for
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
TTY, call (202) 502–8659. A copy is also
available for inspection and
reproduction at the address in item (h)
above.
m. Individuals desiring to be included
on the Commission’s mailing list should
so indicate by writing to the Secretary
of the Commission.
n. Comments, Protests, or Motions to
Intervene: Anyone may submit
comments, a protest, or a motion to
intervene in accordance with the
requirements of Rules of Practice and
Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214.
In determining the appropriate action to
take, the Commission will consider all
protests or other comments filed, but
only those who file a motion to
intervene in accordance with the
Commission’s Rules may become a
party to the proceeding. Any comments,
protests, or motions to intervene must
be received on or before the specified
comment date for the particular
application.
o. Filing and Service of Responsive
Documents: Any filing must (1) bear in
all capital letters the title
‘‘COMMENTS’’, ‘‘PROTEST’’, or
‘‘MOTION TO INTERVENE’’ as
applicable; (2) set forth in the heading
the name of the applicant and the
project number of the application to
which the filing responds; (3) furnish
the name, address, and telephone
number of the person protesting or
intervening; and (4) otherwise comply
with the requirements of 18 CFR
385.2001 through 385.2005. All
comments, motions to intervene, or
protests must set forth their evidentiary
basis and otherwise comply with the
requirements of 18 CFR 4.34(b). All
motions to intervene, protests, or
comments should relate to project works
which are the subject of the application.
Agencies may obtain copies of the
application directly from the applicant.
A copy of any protest or motion to
intervene must be served upon each
representative of the applicant specified
in the particular application. If an
intervener files comments or documents
with the Commission relating to the
merits of an issue that may affect the
responsibilities of a particular resource
agency, they must also serve a copy of
the document on that resource agency.
A copy of all other filings in reference
to this application must be accompanied
by proof of service on all persons listed
in the service list prepared by the
Commission in this proceeding, in
accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b) and
385.2010.
E:\FR\FM\13SEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56682-56684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22296]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for Military
Readiness Activities in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing Study
Area
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, and regulations implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality (40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 1500-1508),
and Presidential Executive Order 12114, the Department of the Navy
(DoN) has prepared and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS). The Draft EIS/OEIS evaluates the potential
environmental effects associated with military readiness training and
research, development, test, and evaluation activities (training and
testing) conducted within the Mariana Islands Training and Testing
(MITT) Study
[[Page 56683]]
Area. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the U.S. Air Force,
and the U.S. Coast Guard are cooperating agencies for this EIS/OEIS.
The MITT Study Area is composed of established ranges (at-sea
ranges and land based training areas on Guam and the Commonwealth of
Northern Mariana Islands [CNMI]); operating areas; and special use
airspace in the region of the Mariana Islands that are part of the
Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC) and its surrounding seas; includes
a transit corridor between the MIRC and the Hawaii Range Complex; and
Navy pierside locations where sonar maintenance and testing activities
occur.
With the filing of the Draft EIS/OEIS, the DoN is initiating a 60-
day public comment period and has scheduled four public meetings to
receive comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS. This notice announces the dates
and locations of the public meetings and provides supplementary
information about the environmental planning effort.
DATES and ADDRESSES: The 60-day Draft EIS/OEIS public review period
will begin September 13, 2013 and end November 12, 2013. The DoN will
hold four public meetings to inform the public about the Proposed
Action and alternatives under consideration, and to provide an
opportunity for the public to comment on the Proposed Action,
alternatives, and the adequacy and accuracy of the analysis in the
Draft EIS/OEIS. Each of the public meetings will include an open house
information session and an opportunity to present oral comments. DoN
representatives will be available during the public meetings to clarify
information related to the Draft EIS/OEIS. Federal and local agencies
and officials, and interested organizations and individuals are
encouraged to provide comments in writing during the public review
period or in person at one of the scheduled public meetings.
The public meetings will be held between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on
the following dates:
1. October 7, 2013, at the University of Guam, Leon Guerrero School
of Business and Public Administration Building, Anthony Leon Guerrero
Multi-Purpose Room 129, Mangilao, Guam 96923.
2. October 8, 2013, at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in
Susupe, Saipan, MP 96950.
3. October 9, 2013, at the Tinian High School Cafeteria, San Jose
Village, Tinian, MP 96952.
4. October 10, 2013, at the Sinapalo Elementary School Cafeteria,
Sinapalo I, Songsong Village, Rota, MP 96951.
Attendees will be able to submit oral and written comments during
the public meetings. Oral comments from the public will be recorded by
a court reporter. In the interest of available time, and to ensure all
who wish to provide an oral comment to the court reporter have the
opportunity to do so, each speaker's comments will be limited to three
(3) minutes, which may be extended if meeting attendance permits. Equal
weight will be given to oral and written statements. Comments may also
be submitted via the U.S. Postal Service to Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Pacific, Attention: MITT EIS/OEIS Project Manager,
258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100, Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134, or
electronically via the project Web site (www.MITT-EIS.com). All
comments, oral or written, submitted during the public review period
will become part of the public record on the Draft EIS/OEIS and will be
responded to in the Final EIS/OEIS. All public comments must be
postmarked or received by November 12, 2013, Chamorro Standard Time
(ChST) to ensure they become part of the official record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naval Facilities Engineering Command
Pacific, Attention: MITT EIS/OEIS Project Manager, 258 Makalapa Drive,
Suite 100, Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice of Intent to prepare this Draft
EIS/OEIS was published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2011
(Vol. 76, No. 174, pp. 55653-55654).
The DoN's Proposed Action is to conduct training and testing
activities, which may include the use of active Sound Navigation and
Ranging (sonar) and explosives, primarily in established operating and
military warning areas of the MITT Study Area. The Proposed Action also
includes pierside sonar maintenance and testing alongside Navy piers
located in Inner Apra Harbor, and land-based training activities at
existing ranges and other training locations on Guam and the CNMI.
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to achieve and maintain
military readiness to meet the requirements of Title 10 of the U.S.
Code, thereby ensuring that the DoN and other military services
accomplish their mission to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready
military forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and
maintaining freedom of the seas. This Draft EIS/OEIS will also support
the renewal of federal regulatory permits and authorizations for
current training and testing activities and to propose future
activities requiring environmental analysis.
The Draft EIS/OEIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts of
three alternatives, including the No Action Alternative. The No Action
Alternative continues baseline training and testing activities, and
airspace and seaspace reconfigurations, as defined by existing
environmental planning documents. Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative)
consists of the No Action Alternative, plus adjustments to the Study
Area boundaries and to the types and levels of training and testing
activities as necessary to support current and planned requirements.
This alternative consists of activities conducted throughout the Study
Area and mission requirements associated with force structure changes,
including those resulting from the development, testing, and ultimate
introduction of new vessels, aircraft, and weapons systems into the
Fleet. Alternative 2 consists of all activities that would occur under
Alternative 1, plus additional adjustments to the types and levels of
training and testing activities. Alternative 2 is contingent upon
potential budget increases, strategic necessity, and future training
and testing requirements.
In this EIS/OEIS, the DoN analyzes potential impacts on
environmental resources resulting from activities under the
alternatives. Resources evaluated include sediments and water quality,
air quality, marine habitats, marine mammals, sea turtles, marine
birds, marine vegetation, marine invertebrates, fish, terrestrial
species and habitats, cultural resources, socioeconomic resources, and
public health and safety.
DoN is requesting from NMFS a Marine Mammal Protection Act
incidental take authorization and governing regulations for the
incidental take of marine mammals that may result from the
implementation of the activities analyzed in the Draft EIS/OEIS. In
accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, the DoN is
consulting with NMFS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the
potential impacts of training and testing activities on federally
listed species. In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, the DoN is consulting with NMFS on
federally managed species and their essential fish habitat.
The Draft EIS/OEIS was distributed to Federal and local agencies,
elected officials, and other interested organizations and individuals.
Copies of the Draft EIS/OEIS are also available for public review at
the following public libraries:
[[Page 56684]]
1. University of Guam Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library,
Government Documents Tan Siu Lin Building, University of Guam Station,
Mangilao, GU 96923.
2. Tinian Public Library, P.O. Box 520704, Tinian, MP 96952.
3. Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Insatto St., Beach Road, Susupe P.O.
Box 501092, Saipan, MP 96950.
4. Nieves M. Flores Memorial Public Library, 254 Martyr St.,
Hagatna, GU 96910.
5. Rota Public Library, P.O. Box 537, Rota, MP 96951.
The Draft EIS/OEIS is also available for electronic viewing at
www.MITT-EIS.com. A compact disc of the Draft EIS/OEIS will be made
available upon written request by contacting: Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Pacific, Attention: MITT EIS/OEIS Project Manager,
258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100, Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134.
Dated: September 5, 2013.
N.A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal
Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-22296 Filed 9-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
