Department of the Navy March 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of the Navy proposes to amend a system of records in its 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 Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy (Navy) has prepared and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental effects of constructing and operating a second Explosives Handling Wharf (EHW-2) at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor (NBK Bangor), Silverdale, WA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are cooperating agencies for the EIS. The Navy will conduct three public hearings to receive oral and written comments on the Draft EIS. Federal, State, and local agencies, elected officials, and other interested individuals and organizations are invited to be present or represented at the public hearings. This notice announces the dates and locations of the public hearings for this Draft EIS. Dates and Addresses: Public hearings will be held on the following dates and locations: 1. April 19, 2011, at the North Kitsap High School Commons, 1780 Northeast Hostmark Street, Poulsbo, WA 98370; 2. April 20, 2011, at the Chimacum High School, 91 West Valley Road, Chimacum, WA 98325; and 3. April 21, 2011, at the Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. All meetings will start with an open house session from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. followed by a presentation and public comment period from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The open house sessions will allow individuals the opportunity to review summaries of the information presented in the Draft EIS. Navy representatives will be available during the open house sessions to clarify information related to the Draft EIS.

The Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel (ORRAP) will hold a meeting. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Department of the Navy (DoN) is amending its certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined that certain vessels of the SSN Class are vessels of the Navy which, due to their special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

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.

The inventions listed below are assigned to the United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Navy. U.S. Patent No. 7,048,854: Apparatus for the removal of heavy metals from acidic wastewater and chemical solutions, Navy Case No. 97424//U.S. Patent No. 7,105,094: Method for the removal of heavy metals from acidic wastewater and chemical solutions, Navy Case No. 97617.