Navy Department February 12, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, and the regulations implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy (DON) announces its intent to prepare an EIS to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of construction of facilities for and operation of the SISS. The DON's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego (SSC San Diego) proposes to construct and operate a SISS at Naval Base Kitsap- Bangor (NBK-Bangor). In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Government has increased security requirements at its military installations. Chief of Naval Operations Instruction (OPNAVINST) 5530.14C, Navy Physical Security Manual, establishes requirements for security at naval bases, including NBK-Bangor. OPNAVINST 5530.14C requires waterside security measures be implemented to protect the DON's assets. The proposed SISS is needed to provide additional waterside security at NBK-Bangor to counter threats from surface and submerged swimmers. SSC San Diego is the Action Proponent. Other than the preferred alternative, the most effective alternatives would be use of Combat Swimmers and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Under the Combat Swimmers alternative, specially trained personnel would be used to interdict underwater intruders. The combat swimmers would be aboard Harbor Security Boats (HSB) and would be deployed into the water to respond to security alerts by finding, identifying, and marking the location of underwater objects or initiating interdiction of intruders. Under the ROV alternative, ROVs would be deployed from HSBs to respond to security alerts by finding, identifying, and marking the location of underwater objects or initiating interdiction of intruders. A No Action alternative will also be evaluated. Under this alternative, no SISS would be implemented.