Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Land-Water Interface and Service Pier Extension, Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Silverdale, WA, 8076-8078 [2015-03046]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
8076
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 30 / Friday, February 13, 2015 / Notices
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
Delete entry and replace with ‘‘Air
Force Office of Special Investigations,
Army Crime Records Directorate, Army
Investigation Record Repository,
Defense Contract Management Agency,
Defense Intelligence Agency, Defense
Logistics Agency, Department of
Defense Consolidated Adjudications
Facility, Department of Defense Office
of Inspector General, National Security
Agency, Naval Criminal Investigative
Service, Pentagon Force Protection
Agency, United States Coast Guard and
other DoD agencies performing criminal
investigation or personnel security
activities.’’
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2015–02968 Filed 2–12–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Availability and Notice of
Public Meetings for the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
Land-Water Interface and Service Pier
Extension, Naval Base Kitsap Bangor,
Silverdale, WA
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Pursuant to section 102(2)(c)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) and the Council on
Environmental Quality regulations for
implementing the procedural provisions
of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500 through
1508), the Department of the Navy
(Navy) has prepared and filed with the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for Land-Water Interface (LWI) and
Service Pier Extension (SPE) on Naval
Base Kitsap Bangor, Silverdale, WA.
The Draft EIS evaluates the potential
environmental effects of two proposed
actions: (1) The proposed construction
and operation of LWI structures and (2)
the proposed construction and
operation of a SPE and associated
support facilities, both on Naval Base
Kitsap Bangor.
With the filing of the Draft EIS, the
Navy is initiating a 60-day public
comment period and has scheduled two
public meetings to provide information
and receive comments on the Draft EIS.
This notice announces the dates and
locations of the public meetings and
provides information about the
environmental planning effort.
DATES: Dates and Addresses: Public
meetings will be held from 5:00 p.m. to
8:00 p.m., with a presentation at 6:30
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:56 Feb 12, 2015
Jkt 235001
p.m. on the following dates and
locations: March 3, 2015, at the
Chimacum High School Commons, 91
West Valley Road, Chimacum, WA
98325; March 4, 2015, at the North
Kitsap High School Commons, 1780 NE
Hostmark Street, Poulsbo, WA 98370.
The 60-day public review and
comment period for the Draft EIS is
from February 13, 2015 through April
13, 2015. The Navy will hold two public
meetings to inform the public about the
proposed actions and potential
environmental impacts, and to provide
an opportunity for the public to
comment on the adequacy and accuracy
of the environmental analysis. The
public meetings will include an open
house information session, followed by
a presentation by the Navy, and a verbal
comment session. Navy representatives
will be available during the open house
information sessions to clarify
information related to the Draft EIS.
Federal, state, and local agencies and
officials, as well as 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.
Attendees will be able to submit
verbal and/or written comments during
the public meetings. A court reporter
will record comments from the public
during the verbal comment session. In
the interest of available time, and to
ensure all who wish to provide a verbal
statement 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 and time permits.
Equal weight will be given to verbal and
written comments.
Comments may also be submitted via
mail to Naval Facilities Engineering
Command Northwest, 1101 Tautog
Circle, Suite 203, Silverdale, WA
98315–1101, Attn: Mr. Thomas Dildine,
LWI/SPE EIS Project Manager, via Email
at nwnepa@navy.mil, or via the project
Web site at: https://www.nbkeis.com/lwi.
All comments, verbal or written,
submitted during the public comment
period will become part of the public
record. All comments will be
considered and acknowledged or
responded to in the Final EIS. The Navy
may address the comments directly, or
the Navy may respond to public
comments by modifying the analysis in
the EIS as appropriate. Comments must
be postmarked or received online by
April 13, 2015, to ensure they are
considered in the Final EIS. No decision
will be made to implement any
alternative until the NEPA process is
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
complete and a Record of Decision is
signed by the Navy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command
Northwest, 1101 Tautog Circle, Suite
203, Silverdale, WA 98315–1101, Attn:
Mr. Thomas Dildine, LWI/SPE EIS
Project Manager, Email: nwnepa@
navy.mil, or project Web site: https://
www.nbkeis.com/lwi.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice
of Intent to prepare the Land-Water
Interface and Service Pier Extension EIS
was published in the Federal Register
on February 1, 2013 (78 FR 7416). Two
public scoping meetings were held on
the following dates and locations:
1. February 20, 2013, Chimacum High
School Commons, 91 West Valley Road,
Chimacum, WA 98325; and
2. February 21, 2013, North Kitsap
High School Commons, 1780 Northeast
Hostmark Street, Poulsbo, WA 98370.
The LWI proposed action is to
complete the perimeter of the
Waterfront Restricted Area at Naval
Base Kitsap Bangor by constructing and
operating barrier structures connecting
the existing on-water Port Security
Barrier system to the existing on-land
Waterfront Security Enclave. The
purpose of the LWI proposed action is
to comply with Department of Defense
directives to protect OHIO Class
ballistic missile (TRIDENT) submarines
from increased and evolving threats and
to prevent the seizure, damage, or
destruction of military assets. The LWI
is needed to enhance security within the
Waterfront Restricted Area and comply
with security requirements. Three
alternatives were carried forward for
analysis: No Action (Alternative 1), PileSupported Pier (Alternative 2), and Port
Security Barrier Modifications
(Alternative 3). Alternative 3 is the
preferred alternative.
The SPE proposed action is to extend
and operate the existing Service Pier
and construct and operate support
facilities to accommodate the transfer of
two SEAWOLF Class submarines from
Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton to Naval
Base Kitsap Bangor. The purpose of the
SPE proposed action is to eliminate
deployment constraints and improve
maintenance of the SEAWOLF Class
submarine fleet. The SPE is needed to
avoid restrictions at Naval Base Kitsap
Bremerton on navigating SEAWOLF
Class submarines through Rich Passage
under certain tidal conditions; improve
long-term operational effectiveness for
the three SEAWOLF Class submarines
on Naval Base Kitsap; provide berthing
and logistical support for SEAWOLF,
LOS ANGELES, and VIRGINIA Class
submarines at the Navy’s submarine
E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM
13FEN1
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 30 / Friday, February 13, 2015 / Notices
research, development, test, and
evaluation hub, located at Naval Base
Kitsap Bangor; and improve submarine
crew training and readiness through colocation of SEAWOLF Class submarines
with command functions on the Naval
Base Kitsap Bangor submarine training
center. Three alternatives were carried
forward for analysis: No Action
(Alternative 1), Short Pier (Alternative
2), and Long Pier (Alternative 3).
Alternative 2 is the preferred
alternative.
The LWI and SPE are independent
actions, but are analyzed in the same
EIS because their geographic proximity
results in the potential for the two
projects to have overlapping
environmental impacts. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) are
cooperating agencies for this EIS.
The Navy analyzed potential impacts
from the proposed actions on
environmental resources, including
marine water resources (hydrography,
water quality, sediment quality); marine
vegetation and invertebrates; plankton;
fish; marine mammals; marine birds;
terrestrial biological resources
(vegetation and habitats; wetlands;
threatened, endangered, and sensitive
species; and wildlife); geology, soils,
and water resources; land use and
recreation; airborne acoustic
environment; aesthetics and visual
quality; socioeconomics; environmental
justice and protection of children;
cultural resources; American Indian
traditional resources; traffic; and air
quality.
For the LWI structures constructed
under Alternative 2, impacts would
include in-water pile-driving noise,
including effects on fish and wildlife;
turbidity; and habitat impacts. Impacts
from operation and maintenance would
include loss and shading of marine
habitat, including eelgrass, macroalgae,
and the benthic (bottom-dwelling)
community, as well as potential
interference with migration of some
Endangered Species Act (ESA) protected
juvenile salmon. LWI Alternative 2 has
the potential to impact fish and bird
species protected under the ESA and
marine mammals protected under the
ESA and the Marine Mammal Protection
Act (MMPA). For the LWI structures
constructed under Alternative 3,
impacts would include airborne piledriving noise, including effects on fish
and wildlife, and habitat impacts.
Impacts from operation and
maintenance would include loss of
marine habitat, including eelgrass. LWI
Alternative 3 has the potential to impact
fish and bird species protected under
the ESA.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:56 Feb 12, 2015
Jkt 235001
Upland construction for both
Alternatives 2 and 3 would result in
permanent and temporary vegetation
disturbance, but no wetland impacts
would occur. No terrestrial animals or
plants protected under the ESA or
Migratory Bird Treaty Act would be
affected; however, bald eagles foraging
along the shoreline could be disturbed
during construction. Project
construction would have overall
positive impacts on the local economy.
Tribal access to some shellfish beds
would be restricted during construction
and, in the long term, a small area of
these beds would be lost. During
construction, vessel traffic would result
in more openings of the Hood Canal
Bridge, causing traffic delays on State
Route 104 between the Olympic and
Kitsap peninsulas. Construction impacts
on air and water quality would be minor
and localized.
For the SPE, construction impacts
would include in-water pile-driving
noise and its effects on fish, wildlife,
and neighboring communities; turbidity;
and habitat impacts. Impacts from
operation and maintenance would
include loss and shading of marine
habitat, but there would be minimal
interference with the migration of
juvenile salmon. SPE alternatives 2 and
3 could potentially impact fish and bird
species protected under the ESA and
marine mammals protected under the
ESA and the MMPA. Upland impacts
would include both permanent and
temporary vegetation disturbance;
however, no wetland impacts would
occur. No terrestrial animals or plants
protected under the ESA would be
affected. Bald Eagles foraging along the
shoreline could be disturbed during
construction. Residential areas south of
the base would experience increased
noise levels during project construction.
Construction would have an overall
positive impact on the local economy.
During construction, vessel traffic
would result in more openings of the
Hood Canal Bridge, causing traffic
delays on State Route 104 between the
Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas.
Construction impacts on air and water
quality would be minor and localized.
The Navy is consulting with NMFS in
compliance with the MMPA permitting
process regarding the potential
behavioral disturbance of marine
mammals associated with SPE
construction. In accordance with ESA,
the Navy is consulting with NMFS and
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on
the potential impacts of construction
and operation on federally listed species
and critical habitat for both LWI and
SPE projects. The Navy is also
consulting with NMFS regarding
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
8077
impacts on essential fish habitat. Other
permitting and consultation will also
occur.
Past, present, and other reasonably
foreseeable future actions are expected
to result in cumulative impacts on
marine habitats and species in Hood
Canal. However, through the
implementation of proposed
compensatory aquatic mitigation actions
described in the Mitigation Action Plan,
the LWI and SPE contribution to
cumulative impacts would not be
significant. The LWI and SPE would
contribute to regional cumulative
impacts on nearshore terrestrial
habitats. Construction of the LWI and
SPE could possibly overlap with one
another and construction of other
waterfront structures on Naval Base
Kitsap Bangor, resulting in increased
pile-driving noise impacts on marine
and terrestrial species. During
construction, marine vessel traffic from
LWI and SPE projects would increase
the frequency of openings of the Hood
Canal Bridge, resulting in impacts to
travelers on State Route 104 between the
Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas.
Additionally, noise impacts on nearby
residential and recreational areas would
increase slightly. Construction of
multiple projects may also increase
traffic impacts on base roads and delays
at the gates entering the base, leading to
increased traffic impacts on adjacent
roads. The projects would also have
cumulative economic benefits.
The Draft EIS was distributed to
federal, state, and local agencies, elected
officials, and other interested
organizations and individuals. Copies of
the Draft EIS are available for public
review at the following public libraries:
1. Jefferson County Library (Port Hadlock),
620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock, WA 98339;
2. Kitsap Regional Library (Poulsbo), 700
NE Lincoln Road, Poulsbo, WA 98370;
3. Kitsap Regional Library—Sylvan Way
(Bremerton), 1301 Sylvan Way, Bremerton,
WA 98310;
4. Kitsap Regional Library (Silverdale),
3450 NW Carlton St., Silverdale, WA 98383;
5. Port Townsend Public Library, 1220
Lawrence St., Port Townsend, WA 98368;
and
6. Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth
Ave., Seattle, WA 98104.
The Draft EIS is also available for
electronic viewing at www.nbkeis.com/
lwi. A compact disc of the Draft EIS will
be made available upon written request
by contacting: Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Northwest, 1101
Tautog Circle, Suite 203, Silverdale, WA
98315–1101, Attn: Mr. Thomas Dildine,
LWI/SPE EIS Project Manager, Email:
nwnepa@navy.mil, or project Web site:
https://www.nbkeis.com/lwi.
E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM
13FEN1
8078
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 30 / Friday, February 13, 2015 / Notices
Authority: 35 U.S.C. 207, 37 CFR part 404.
Dated: February 5, 2015.
N. A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Judge Advocate General’s Corps,
U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015–03046 Filed 2–12–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Department of the Navy
[Docket ID: USN–2015–0002]
Privacy Act of 1974; System of
Records
AGENCY:
United States Marine Corps,
DoD.
Notice to alter a System of
Records.
ACTION:
The U.S. Marine Corps
proposes to alter the system of records,
MMC00010, entitled ‘‘Marine Corps
Marathon Automated Support System’’
in its inventory of record systems
subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as
amended.
This system will be used to collect
information to register, acknowledge
and promote participation in Marine
Corps race events. The primary user of
the collected information is the Marine
Corps Marathon Office. Information is
used to plan, organize, coordinate and
execute the events and communicate
with the runners and volunteers before,
during and after the event to include
publication of finisher results, finisher
certificates and race photographs,
videos and motion pictures. Data and
photographs, videotape, motion pictures
and other recordings may be used by the
Marine Corps Marathon Office and its
select sponsors for surveys, publications
on Web sites, race programs and
promotions, newspaper articles,
newsletters and other race marketing
purposes and runner enhancements.
DATES: Comments will be accepted on or
before March 16, 2015. This proposed
action will be effective the day
following the end of the comment
period unless comments are received
which result in a contrary
determination.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by docket number and title,
by any of the following methods:
* Federal Rulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
* Mail: Federal Docket Management
System Office, 4800 Mark Center Drive,
East Tower, 2nd Floor, Suite 02G09,
Alexandria, VA 22350–3100.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the agency name and
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:56 Feb 12, 2015
docket number for this Federal Register
document. The general policy for
comments and other submissions from
members of the public is to make these
submissions available for public
viewing on the Internet at https://
www.regulations.gov as they are
received without change, including any
personal identifiers or contact
information.
Jkt 235001
Sally A. Hughes, Head, FOIA/PA
Programs (ARSF), Headquarters, U.S.
Marine Corps, 3000 Marine Corps
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20350–3000,
telephone (703) 614–3685.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S.
Marine Corps’ notices for systems of
records subject to the Privacy Act of
1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended, have
been published in the Federal Register
and are available from the address in
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or
from the Defense Privacy and Civil
Liberties Office Web site at https://
dpcld.defense.gov/.
The proposed system report, as
required by 5 U.S.C. 552a(r) of the
Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, was
submitted on November 24, 2014, to the
House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, the Senate
Committee on Governmental Affairs,
and the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) pursuant to paragraph 4c
of Appendix I to OMB Circular No. A–
130, ‘‘Federal Agency Responsibilities
for Maintaining Records About
Individuals,’’ dated February 8, 1996
(February 20, 1996, 61 FR 6427).
Dated: February 10, 2015.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
MMC00010
SYSTEM NAME:
Marine Corps Marathon Automated
Support System (August 3, 1993, 58 FR
41254).
CHANGES:
*
*
*
*
*
SYSTEM LOCATION:
Delete entry and replace with ‘‘Marine
Corps Marathon Office, Building 3399
Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134–
5000.’’
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE
SYSTEM:
Delete entry and replace with
‘‘Participants, parents/guardians and
volunteers for the Marine Corps
Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon
Transfer/Deferment, Marine Corps
Marathon 10K, Marine Corps Marathon
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Kids Run, Marine Corps Historic Half,
Historic 10K, Semper Fred 5K, Marine
Corps 1775K, Run Amuck, Mini Run
Amuck, Quantico Triathlon, Turkey
Trot 10K, and Turkey Trot Kids Mile.’’
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
Delete entry and replace with ‘‘Full
name, home address, country, email
address, phone numbers, birthdate and
gender, emergency contact information
for day of the race, military service and
status, race name and volunteer job
selection, physical or special
accommodations selection, first time
participants, expected finish time, race
results, name, completion time, image,
apparel selection and size, credit card
type, card holder name, number,
verification code and expiration.’’
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
Delete entry and replace with ‘‘10
U.S.C. 5041, Headquarters, Marine
Corps: Function, Composition; Marine
Corps Order P1700.27B, Marine Corps
Community Services Policy Manual
(MCCS); Marine Corps Marathon
Charter, 27 March 2007.’’
PURPOSE(S):
Delete entry and replace with
‘‘Information is collected to register,
acknowledge and promote participation
in Marine Corps race events. The
primary user of the collected
information is the Marine Corps
Marathon Office. Information is used to
plan, organize, coordinate and execute
the events and communicate with the
runners and volunteers before, during
and after the event to include
publication of finisher results, finisher
certificates and race photographs,
videos and motion pictures. Data and
photographs, videotape, motion pictures
and other recordings may be used by the
Marine Corps Marathon Office and its
select sponsors for surveys, publications
on Web sites, race programs and
promotions, newspaper articles,
newsletters and other race marketing
purposes and runner enhancements.’’
ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE
SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND
THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
Delete entry and replace with ‘‘In
addition to those disclosures generally
permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the
Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the
records contained in the system may
specifically be disclosed outside the
DoD as a routine use pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:
Television, online and print media to
provide publicity on the Marine Corps
Marathon organization events.
E:\FR\FM\13FEN1.SGM
13FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8076-8078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03046]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Meetings for the
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Land-Water Interface and
Service Pier Extension, Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Silverdale, WA
AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations
for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500
through 1508), the Department of the Navy (Navy) has prepared and filed
with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for Land-Water Interface (LWI) and Service Pier
Extension (SPE) on Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Silverdale, WA. The Draft
EIS evaluates the potential environmental effects of two proposed
actions: (1) The proposed construction and operation of LWI structures
and (2) the proposed construction and operation of a SPE and associated
support facilities, both on Naval Base Kitsap Bangor.
With the filing of the Draft EIS, the Navy is initiating a 60-day
public comment period and has scheduled two public meetings to provide
information and receive comments on the Draft EIS. This notice
announces the dates and locations of the public meetings and provides
information about the environmental planning effort.
DATES: Dates and Addresses: Public meetings will be held from 5:00 p.m.
to 8:00 p.m., with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates
and locations: March 3, 2015, at the Chimacum High School Commons, 91
West Valley Road, Chimacum, WA 98325; March 4, 2015, at the North
Kitsap High School Commons, 1780 NE Hostmark Street, Poulsbo, WA 98370.
The 60-day public review and comment period for the Draft EIS is
from February 13, 2015 through April 13, 2015. The Navy will hold two
public meetings to inform the public about the proposed actions and
potential environmental impacts, and to provide an opportunity for the
public to comment on the adequacy and accuracy of the environmental
analysis. The public meetings will include an open house information
session, followed by a presentation by the Navy, and a verbal comment
session. Navy representatives will be available during the open house
information sessions to clarify information related to the Draft EIS.
Federal, state, and local agencies and officials, as well as 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.
Attendees will be able to submit verbal and/or written comments
during the public meetings. A court reporter will record comments from
the public during the verbal comment session. In the interest of
available time, and to ensure all who wish to provide a verbal
statement 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 and time permits. Equal weight will be
given to verbal and written comments.
Comments may also be submitted via mail to Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Northwest, 1101 Tautog Circle, Suite 203,
Silverdale, WA 98315-1101, Attn: Mr. Thomas Dildine, LWI/SPE EIS
Project Manager, via Email at nwnepa@navy.mil, or via the project Web
site at: https://www.nbkeis.com/lwi. All comments, verbal or written,
submitted during the public comment period will become part of the
public record. All comments will be considered and acknowledged or
responded to in the Final EIS. The Navy may address the comments
directly, or the Navy may respond to public comments by modifying the
analysis in the EIS as appropriate. Comments must be postmarked or
received online by April 13, 2015, to ensure they are considered in the
Final EIS. No decision will be made to implement any alternative until
the NEPA process is complete and a Record of Decision is signed by the
Navy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naval Facilities Engineering Command
Northwest, 1101 Tautog Circle, Suite 203, Silverdale, WA 98315-1101,
Attn: Mr. Thomas Dildine, LWI/SPE EIS Project Manager, Email:
nwnepa@navy.mil, or project Web site: https://www.nbkeis.com/lwi.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A Notice of Intent to prepare the Land-Water
Interface and Service Pier Extension EIS was published in the Federal
Register on February 1, 2013 (78 FR 7416). Two public scoping meetings
were held on the following dates and locations:
1. February 20, 2013, Chimacum High School Commons, 91 West Valley
Road, Chimacum, WA 98325; and
2. February 21, 2013, North Kitsap High School Commons, 1780
Northeast Hostmark Street, Poulsbo, WA 98370.
The LWI proposed action is to complete the perimeter of the
Waterfront Restricted Area at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor by constructing
and operating barrier structures connecting the existing on-water Port
Security Barrier system to the existing on-land Waterfront Security
Enclave. The purpose of the LWI proposed action is to comply with
Department of Defense directives to protect OHIO Class ballistic
missile (TRIDENT) submarines from increased and evolving threats and to
prevent the seizure, damage, or destruction of military assets. The LWI
is needed to enhance security within the Waterfront Restricted Area and
comply with security requirements. Three alternatives were carried
forward for analysis: No Action (Alternative 1), Pile-Supported Pier
(Alternative 2), and Port Security Barrier Modifications (Alternative
3). Alternative 3 is the preferred alternative.
The SPE proposed action is to extend and operate the existing
Service Pier and construct and operate support facilities to
accommodate the transfer of two SEAWOLF Class submarines from Naval
Base Kitsap Bremerton to Naval Base Kitsap Bangor. The purpose of the
SPE proposed action is to eliminate deployment constraints and improve
maintenance of the SEAWOLF Class submarine fleet. The SPE is needed to
avoid restrictions at Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton on navigating SEAWOLF
Class submarines through Rich Passage under certain tidal conditions;
improve long-term operational effectiveness for the three SEAWOLF Class
submarines on Naval Base Kitsap; provide berthing and logistical
support for SEAWOLF, LOS ANGELES, and VIRGINIA Class submarines at the
Navy's submarine
[[Page 8077]]
research, development, test, and evaluation hub, located at Naval Base
Kitsap Bangor; and improve submarine crew training and readiness
through co-location of SEAWOLF Class submarines with command functions
on the Naval Base Kitsap Bangor submarine training center. Three
alternatives were carried forward for analysis: No Action (Alternative
1), Short Pier (Alternative 2), and Long Pier (Alternative 3).
Alternative 2 is the preferred alternative.
The LWI and SPE are independent actions, but are analyzed in the
same EIS because their geographic proximity results in the potential
for the two projects to have overlapping environmental impacts. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) are cooperating agencies for this EIS.
The Navy analyzed potential impacts from the proposed actions on
environmental resources, including marine water resources (hydrography,
water quality, sediment quality); marine vegetation and invertebrates;
plankton; fish; marine mammals; marine birds; terrestrial biological
resources (vegetation and habitats; wetlands; threatened, endangered,
and sensitive species; and wildlife); geology, soils, and water
resources; land use and recreation; airborne acoustic environment;
aesthetics and visual quality; socioeconomics; environmental justice
and protection of children; cultural resources; American Indian
traditional resources; traffic; and air quality.
For the LWI structures constructed under Alternative 2, impacts
would include in-water pile-driving noise, including effects on fish
and wildlife; turbidity; and habitat impacts. Impacts from operation
and maintenance would include loss and shading of marine habitat,
including eelgrass, macroalgae, and the benthic (bottom-dwelling)
community, as well as potential interference with migration of some
Endangered Species Act (ESA) protected juvenile salmon. LWI Alternative
2 has the potential to impact fish and bird species protected under the
ESA and marine mammals protected under the ESA and the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA). For the LWI structures constructed under
Alternative 3, impacts would include airborne pile-driving noise,
including effects on fish and wildlife, and habitat impacts. Impacts
from operation and maintenance would include loss of marine habitat,
including eelgrass. LWI Alternative 3 has the potential to impact fish
and bird species protected under the ESA.
Upland construction for both Alternatives 2 and 3 would result in
permanent and temporary vegetation disturbance, but no wetland impacts
would occur. No terrestrial animals or plants protected under the ESA
or Migratory Bird Treaty Act would be affected; however, bald eagles
foraging along the shoreline could be disturbed during construction.
Project construction would have overall positive impacts on the local
economy. Tribal access to some shellfish beds would be restricted
during construction and, in the long term, a small area of these beds
would be lost. During construction, vessel traffic would result in more
openings of the Hood Canal Bridge, causing traffic delays on State
Route 104 between the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas. Construction
impacts on air and water quality would be minor and localized.
For the SPE, construction impacts would include in-water pile-
driving noise and its effects on fish, wildlife, and neighboring
communities; turbidity; and habitat impacts. Impacts from operation and
maintenance would include loss and shading of marine habitat, but there
would be minimal interference with the migration of juvenile salmon.
SPE alternatives 2 and 3 could potentially impact fish and bird species
protected under the ESA and marine mammals protected under the ESA and
the MMPA. Upland impacts would include both permanent and temporary
vegetation disturbance; however, no wetland impacts would occur. No
terrestrial animals or plants protected under the ESA would be
affected. Bald Eagles foraging along the shoreline could be disturbed
during construction. Residential areas south of the base would
experience increased noise levels during project construction.
Construction would have an overall positive impact on the local
economy. During construction, vessel traffic would result in more
openings of the Hood Canal Bridge, causing traffic delays on State
Route 104 between the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas. Construction
impacts on air and water quality would be minor and localized.
The Navy is consulting with NMFS in compliance with the MMPA
permitting process regarding the potential behavioral disturbance of
marine mammals associated with SPE construction. In accordance with
ESA, the Navy is consulting with NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service on the potential impacts of construction and operation on
federally listed species and critical habitat for both LWI and SPE
projects. The Navy is also consulting with NMFS regarding impacts on
essential fish habitat. Other permitting and consultation will also
occur.
Past, present, and other reasonably foreseeable future actions are
expected to result in cumulative impacts on marine habitats and species
in Hood Canal. However, through the implementation of proposed
compensatory aquatic mitigation actions described in the Mitigation
Action Plan, the LWI and SPE contribution to cumulative impacts would
not be significant. The LWI and SPE would contribute to regional
cumulative impacts on nearshore terrestrial habitats. Construction of
the LWI and SPE could possibly overlap with one another and
construction of other waterfront structures on Naval Base Kitsap
Bangor, resulting in increased pile-driving noise impacts on marine and
terrestrial species. During construction, marine vessel traffic from
LWI and SPE projects would increase the frequency of openings of the
Hood Canal Bridge, resulting in impacts to travelers on State Route 104
between the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas. Additionally, noise impacts
on nearby residential and recreational areas would increase slightly.
Construction of multiple projects may also increase traffic impacts on
base roads and delays at the gates entering the base, leading to
increased traffic impacts on adjacent roads. The projects would also
have cumulative economic benefits.
The Draft EIS was distributed to federal, state, and local
agencies, elected officials, and other interested organizations and
individuals. Copies of the Draft EIS are available for public review at
the following public libraries:
1. Jefferson County Library (Port Hadlock), 620 Cedar Ave., Port
Hadlock, WA 98339;
2. Kitsap Regional Library (Poulsbo), 700 NE Lincoln Road,
Poulsbo, WA 98370;
3. Kitsap Regional Library--Sylvan Way (Bremerton), 1301 Sylvan
Way, Bremerton, WA 98310;
4. Kitsap Regional Library (Silverdale), 3450 NW Carlton St.,
Silverdale, WA 98383;
5. Port Townsend Public Library, 1220 Lawrence St., Port
Townsend, WA 98368; and
6. Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104.
The Draft EIS is also available for electronic viewing at
www.nbkeis.com/lwi. A compact disc of the Draft EIS will be made
available upon written request by contacting: Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Northwest, 1101 Tautog Circle, Suite 203,
Silverdale, WA 98315-1101, Attn: Mr. Thomas Dildine, LWI/SPE EIS
Project Manager, Email: nwnepa@navy.mil, or project Web site: https://www.nbkeis.com/lwi.
[[Page 8078]]
Authority: 35 U.S.C. 207, 37 CFR part 404.
Dated: February 5, 2015.
N. A. Hagerty-Ford,
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-03046 Filed 2-12-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
