Navy Department March 7, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of the Navy is amending a system of records notice in its existing inventory of record systems subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy of 1969, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and Executive Order 12114, the Department of the Navy (DON) announces its intent to prepare an EIS/ OEIS to evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with relocating Command, Air, Ground, and Logistics units (which includes approximately 8,000 service members and 9,000 family members) from Okinawa, Japan to Guam. The EIS/OEIS will examine potential impacts from activities associated with the Marine Corps units' relocation to include operations, training, and infrastructure changes. DON also proposes to enhance the infrastructure, logistic capabilities, and improve pier/waterfront facilities to support transient CVN berthing at Naval Base Guam. The EIS/OEIS will examine potential impacts of the waterfront improvements associated with the proposed transient berthing. Finally, the proposed action will evaluate placing a BMD task force (approximately 630 service members and 950 family members) in Guam. The EIS/OEIS will examine potential impacts from activities associated with the task force to include operations, training, and infrastructure changes. The purpose and need of the proposed action is to fulfill U.S. government national security and alliance requirements in the Western Pacific Region. Guam's location as the westernmost part of the United States is critical to national security. The Department of Defense (DoD) national security strategy would increase the role of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) through the relocation of Marines to Guam, increased presence of a transient CVN, and enhanced capability to defend critical military assets. Mission critical, mission support, and community support infrastructure improvements are needed to ensure that Navy Region Marianas can provide expanded direct support of the DoD strategic mission and operational readiness in the Western Pacific Region. Infrastructure improvements would need to provide: Military training, subsequent garrison, operations, and infrastructure to support the U.S. Marines relocation to Guam. Port infrastructure for support to the transient presence of a CVN within Apra Harbor. Infrastructure to support the BMD task force, which can intercept missiles with potential to impact the critical military assets. The EIS/OEIS will consider reasonable alternatives for siting operational, training, and support facilities on Guam, in addition to the no-action alternative. The DON Joint Guam Program Office (JGPO) will seek the input of the public on siting alternatives during the scoping meetings described below. Seven Federal agencies will be invited to be cooperating agencies: National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration; National Marine Fisheries; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services; Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration; Federal Aviation Administration; and the National Park Service.