Department of Defense June 10, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to section (102)(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and the regulations implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy (Navy) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of a proposed new Explosives Handling Wharf (EHW) located adjacent to, but separate from, the existing EHW on Hood Canal, NBK-Bangor, WA, to support TRIDENT submarines. The proposed action consists of in-water and land-based construction and infrastructure enhancements including a covered ordnance operations area, a support building on the wharf, and a warping wharf. As part of the Navy's sea-based strategic deterrence mission, the Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) directs research, development, manufacturing, test, evaluation, and operational support of the TRIDENT Fleet Ballistic Missile program. SSP is the Action Proponent and the Navy is the lead agency for this project. The Navy will hold a public scoping meeting for the purpose of further identifying the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS. Federal, State, and local agencies and the public are invited to participate in the scoping process for the EIS. Comments are being solicited to help identify significant issues or concerns related to the proposed action, determine the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS, and identify and refine alternatives to the proposed action. The Navy will conduct a public scoping meeting to receive oral and/ or written comments on environmental concerns that should be addressed in the EIS. The public scoping meeting will be conducted in English and will be arranged in an informal, open house format. Attendees will be asked to sign in and will be directed to various stations manned by Navy representatives and technical staff assigned to provide information and answer questions. Several large display boards will be located throughout the meeting location to assist attendees in understanding the project and the alternatives. A comment table, supplied with comment sheets, will be placed in an easily accessible and comfortable location. Fact sheets about the project and alternatives will be available to participants.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) has been completed and is available for review and comment.