Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for Pacific Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active Sonar Training and Testing, 67630-67631 [2024-18573]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 21, 2024 / Notices
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Dated: August 16, 2024.
Patricia L. Toppings,
OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer,
Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2024–18755 Filed 8–20–24; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Intent To Prepare a
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement/Overseas Environmental
Impact Statement for Pacific
Surveillance Towed Array Sensor
System Low Frequency Active Sonar
Training and Testing
Department of the Navy (DoN),
Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, and regulations implemented by
the Council on Environmental Quality,
the Department of the Navy (Navy)
announces its intent to prepare the
Pacific Surveillance Towed Array
Sensor System Low Frequency Active
Sonar Training and Testing (PAC
SURTASS LFA) Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas EIS (SEIS/OEIS). The PAC
SURTASS LFA SEIS/OEIS will include
an analysis of training activities, as well
as research, development, testing, and
evaluation activities (hereafter referred
to as ‘‘testing’’) that will be conducted
in the PAC SURTASS LFA Study Area.
The Navy is initiating a 30-day public
scoping process to receive comments on
the scope of the SEIS/OEIS including
identification of potential alternatives
and environmental concerns,
information and analyses relevant to the
Proposed Action, and issues the public
would like to see addressed in the SEIS/
OEIS.
DATES: The 30-day public scoping
period begins on August 21, 2024 and
extends to September 19, 2024.
Comments must be postmarked or
submitted electronically via the website
no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on
September 19, 2024 for consideration in
the Draft SEIS/OEIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S.
Pacific Fleet Command, Attn: Ms.
Heather Paynter, Environmental Public
Affairs Specialist, by telephone (808–
471–3769) or email (CPFEnvironmental-PA@us.navy.mil), or
visit the project website: https://
www.nepa.navy.mil/surtass-lfa/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SEIS–007–
17–USN–1723661233. Commander, U.S.
Pacific Fleet is the Navy’s lead action
proponent, with Naval Sea Systems
Command acting as an additional Navy
action proponent.
In continuance of the Navy’s
commitment to responsible stewardship
of the marine environment and building
upon analyses and information included
SUMMARY:
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in the Navy’s 2001 Final Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS)/OEIS, 2007
Final SEIS, 2012 Final SEIS/
Supplemental OEIS (SOEIS), 2015 Final
SEIS/SOEIS, and 2019 Final SEIS/
SOEIS, the Navy intends to prepare an
updated supplemental assessment of the
environmental effects associated with
the continued employment of SURTASS
LFA sonar systems. The SEIS/OEIS and
associated analysis will be used to
support consultations associated with
expiring regulatory permits and
authorizations in 2026.
The PAC SURTASS LFA Study Area
(hereafter referred to as the (‘‘Study
Area’’) is comprised of the western
North Pacific and Indian Oceans. For
the purposes of analyzing the impacts of
SURTASS LFA sonar systems on marine
mammals, fifteen representative
locations were considered for acoustic
modeling.
The Navy proposes to continue
employing up to four SURTASS LFA
sonar systems onboard U.S. Navy
surveillance ships for routine training
and testing in the Study Area with
certain geographical restrictions and
other preventive measures designed to
mitigate adverse effects on the marine
environment. As part of the SEIS/OEIS
analyses, the Navy will continue to
assess potential impacts of SURTASS
LFA sonar systems to offshore
biologically important areas (OBIAs).
Effectiveness of the mitigation measures
that are the foundation of the Navy’s
operation of SURTASS LFA sonar will
also be re-assessed in the context of new
technologies and methodologies as well
as operational practicability.
The Navy has identified two
preliminary action alternatives to carry
forward for analysis in the SEIS/OEIS
along with the No Action Alternative.
Alternative 1 reflects the minimum
number of SURTASS LFA sonar
transmission hours per year needed to
meet the Navy’s purpose and need,
while Alternative 2 reflects the number
of hours accounting for the possible
need to deploy two additional
SURTASS LFA-equipped vessels
(increase from four vessels to six). As
required by NEPA for the purpose of
establishing a baseline for analysis, a No
Action Alternative will be evaluated
which represents a scenario where
training and testing with SURTASS LFA
sonar would not be conducted in the
Study Area.
Environmental resources that are
determined to be potentially affected are
carried forward for full analysis.
Resources to be evaluated include, but
are not limited to, biological resources
(including marine mammals, reptiles,
fishes, and habitats), sediments and
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 21, 2024 / Notices
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water quality, air quality, and
socioeconomic resources. Some other
environmental resources have been
analyzed in previous SURTASS LFA
NEPA/E.O. 12114 documents and are
incorporated by reference moving
forward. The SEIS/OEIS will also
analyze measures that would avoid,
minimize, or mitigate environmental
effects. The Navy will conduct all
coordination and consultation activities
required by the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA), Endangered
Species Act (ESA), and other laws and
regulations determined to be applicable
to the project. As part of this process,
the Navy will seek the issuance of
regulatory permits and authorizations
under MMPA and ESA to support at-sea
mission readiness activities within the
Study Area, beginning in August 2026.
Pursuant to 40 CFR 1501.8, the Navy
invited the National Marine Fisheries
Service to be a cooperating agency in
preparation of the SEIS/OEIS. On
August 7, 2024 National Marine
Fisheries Service agreed to be a
cooperating agency.
The scoping process invites
comments on the scope of the SEIS/
OEIS including identification of
potential alternatives, information and
analyses relevant to the Proposed
Action, identification of environmental
concerns, and issues the public would
like to see addressed in the SEIS/OEIS.
Federal agencies, state agencies, local
agencies, Tribal Organizations, the
public, and interested persons are
encouraged to provide comments.
Comments must be postmarked or
submitted electronically via the website
no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on
September 19, 2024 for consideration
during the development of the Draft
SEIS/OEIS. Comments can be submitted
electronically via the project website at
https://www.nepa.navy.mil/surtass-lfa/.
After the scoping period, Navy will
coordinate with participating and
cooperating agencies to develop a Draft
SEIS/OEIS. The Navy intends to release
the Draft SEIS/OEIS in the spring of
2025, release the Final SEIS/OEIS in the
winter of 2026, and sign a Record of
Decision following the 30-day Final
SEIS/OEIS wait period.
Dated: August 14, 2024.
A.J. Gioiello,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate
General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024–18573 Filed 8–20–24; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Combined Notice of Filings
Take notice that the Commission has
received the following Natural Gas
Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
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Energy eff 8–15–24 to be effective 8/15/
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Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 8/27/24.
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Docket Numbers: RP24–974–000.
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Energy eff 8–16–24 to be effective 8/16/
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Accession Number: 20240815–5060.
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Any person desiring to intervene, to
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of the Commission’s Regulations (18
CFR 385.211, 385.214, or 385.206) on or
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the
specified comment date. Protests may be
considered, but intervention is
necessary to become a party to the
proceeding.
The filings are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system (https://
elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/
fercgensearch.asp) by querying the
docket number.
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
information relating to filing
requirements, interventions, protests,
service, and qualifying facilities filings
can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
other information, call (866) 208–3676
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
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members of the public, including
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67631
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members and
others, access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes. For public inquiries and
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interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.
Dated: August 15, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–18729 Filed 8–20–24; 8:45 am]
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Combined Notice of Filings #1
Take notice that the Commission
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ER10–2231–008.
Applicants: Kentucky Utilities
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and Electric Company et al.
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67630-67631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18573]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for Pacific
Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active Sonar
Training and Testing
AGENCY: Department of the Navy (DoN), Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, and regulations implemented by the Council on Environmental
Quality, the Department of the Navy (Navy) announces its intent to
prepare the Pacific Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low
Frequency Active Sonar Training and Testing (PAC SURTASS LFA)
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas EIS (SEIS/OEIS).
The PAC SURTASS LFA SEIS/OEIS will include an analysis of training
activities, as well as research, development, testing, and evaluation
activities (hereafter referred to as ``testing'') that will be
conducted in the PAC SURTASS LFA Study Area. The Navy is initiating a
30-day public scoping process to receive comments on the scope of the
SEIS/OEIS including identification of potential alternatives and
environmental concerns, information and analyses relevant to the
Proposed Action, and issues the public would like to see addressed in
the SEIS/OEIS.
DATES: The 30-day public scoping period begins on August 21, 2024 and
extends to September 19, 2024. Comments must be postmarked or submitted
electronically via the website no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on
September 19, 2024 for consideration in the Draft SEIS/OEIS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Pacific Fleet Command, Attn: Ms.
Heather Paynter, Environmental Public Affairs Specialist, by telephone
(808-471-3769) or email ([email protected]), or visit
the project website: https://www.nepa.navy.mil/surtass-lfa/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SEIS-007-17-USN-1723661233. Commander, U.S.
Pacific Fleet is the Navy's lead action proponent, with Naval Sea
Systems Command acting as an additional Navy action proponent.
In continuance of the Navy's commitment to responsible stewardship
of the marine environment and building upon analyses and information
included in the Navy's 2001 Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/
OEIS, 2007 Final SEIS, 2012 Final SEIS/Supplemental OEIS (SOEIS), 2015
Final SEIS/SOEIS, and 2019 Final SEIS/SOEIS, the Navy intends to
prepare an updated supplemental assessment of the environmental effects
associated with the continued employment of SURTASS LFA sonar systems.
The SEIS/OEIS and associated analysis will be used to support
consultations associated with expiring regulatory permits and
authorizations in 2026.
The PAC SURTASS LFA Study Area (hereafter referred to as the
(``Study Area'') is comprised of the western North Pacific and Indian
Oceans. For the purposes of analyzing the impacts of SURTASS LFA sonar
systems on marine mammals, fifteen representative locations were
considered for acoustic modeling.
The Navy proposes to continue employing up to four SURTASS LFA
sonar systems onboard U.S. Navy surveillance ships for routine training
and testing in the Study Area with certain geographical restrictions
and other preventive measures designed to mitigate adverse effects on
the marine environment. As part of the SEIS/OEIS analyses, the Navy
will continue to assess potential impacts of SURTASS LFA sonar systems
to offshore biologically important areas (OBIAs). Effectiveness of the
mitigation measures that are the foundation of the Navy's operation of
SURTASS LFA sonar will also be re-assessed in the context of new
technologies and methodologies as well as operational practicability.
The Navy has identified two preliminary action alternatives to
carry forward for analysis in the SEIS/OEIS along with the No Action
Alternative. Alternative 1 reflects the minimum number of SURTASS LFA
sonar transmission hours per year needed to meet the Navy's purpose and
need, while Alternative 2 reflects the number of hours accounting for
the possible need to deploy two additional SURTASS LFA-equipped vessels
(increase from four vessels to six). As required by NEPA for the
purpose of establishing a baseline for analysis, a No Action
Alternative will be evaluated which represents a scenario where
training and testing with SURTASS LFA sonar would not be conducted in
the Study Area.
Environmental resources that are determined to be potentially
affected are carried forward for full analysis. Resources to be
evaluated include, but are not limited to, biological resources
(including marine mammals, reptiles, fishes, and habitats), sediments
and
[[Page 67631]]
water quality, air quality, and socioeconomic resources. Some other
environmental resources have been analyzed in previous SURTASS LFA
NEPA/E.O. 12114 documents and are incorporated by reference moving
forward. The SEIS/OEIS will also analyze measures that would avoid,
minimize, or mitigate environmental effects. The Navy will conduct all
coordination and consultation activities required by the Marine Mammal
Protection Act (MMPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and other laws and
regulations determined to be applicable to the project. As part of this
process, the Navy will seek the issuance of regulatory permits and
authorizations under MMPA and ESA to support at-sea mission readiness
activities within the Study Area, beginning in August 2026.
Pursuant to 40 CFR 1501.8, the Navy invited the National Marine
Fisheries Service to be a cooperating agency in preparation of the
SEIS/OEIS. On August 7, 2024 National Marine Fisheries Service agreed
to be a cooperating agency.
The scoping process invites comments on the scope of the SEIS/OEIS
including identification of potential alternatives, information and
analyses relevant to the Proposed Action, identification of
environmental concerns, and issues the public would like to see
addressed in the SEIS/OEIS. Federal agencies, state agencies, local
agencies, Tribal Organizations, the public, and interested persons are
encouraged to provide comments.
Comments must be postmarked or submitted electronically via the
website no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on September 19, 2024 for
consideration during the development of the Draft SEIS/OEIS. Comments
can be submitted electronically via the project website at https://www.nepa.navy.mil/surtass-lfa/.
After the scoping period, Navy will coordinate with participating
and cooperating agencies to develop a Draft SEIS/OEIS. The Navy intends
to release the Draft SEIS/OEIS in the spring of 2025, release the Final
SEIS/OEIS in the winter of 2026, and sign a Record of Decision
following the 30-day Final SEIS/OEIS wait period.
Dated: August 14, 2024.
A.J. Gioiello,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy,
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-18573 Filed 8-20-24; 8:45 am]
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