Department of Defense March 7, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of the Navy (Navy), after carefully weighing the operational and environmental consequences of the proposed action, announces its decision to conduct Navy Atlantic Fleet training; research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities; and associated range capabilities enhancements in the Corpus Christi, New Orleans, Pensacola, and Panama City Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and associated airspace, land and overland components, hereafter referred to as the Gulf of Mexico (GOMEX) Range Complex. Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.) Part 5062 directs the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) to train all naval forces for combat. The CNO meets that direction, in part, by conducting at-sea training exercises and ensuring naval forces have access to ranges, OPAREAs and airspace where the Navy can develop and maintain skills for wartime missions and conduct RDT&E of naval weapons systems. The proposed action will be accomplished as set forth in Alternative 2, described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (OEIS) as the Preferred Alternative. The purpose for the proposed action is to: (1) Achieve and maintain Fleet readiness using the GOMEX Range Complex to support and conduct current, emerging, and future training and RDT&E; (2) Expand warfare missions supported by the GOMEX Range Complex; and (3) Upgrade and modernize existing range capabilities to enhance and sustain Navy training and RDT&E. The need for the proposed action is to provide range capabilities for training and equipping combat-capable naval forces ready to deploy worldwide.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB) will be submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve an extension of a currently approved information collection requirement concerning acquisition of helium. Public comments are particularly invited on: Whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the FAR, and whether it will have practical utility; whether our estimate of the public burden of this collection of information is accurate, and based on valid assumptions and methodology; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways in which we can minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, through the use of appropriate technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.