[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 165 (Friday, August 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43533-43534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21551]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Amended Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement and Public Scoping Meeting Notice for Realignment of F/A-18
Aircraft and Operational Functions From Naval Air Station, Cecil Field,
FL
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), the
Department of the Navy announced its intent to prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental
consequences of the realignment of F/A-18 aircraft and their associated
personnel to Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia
on November 16, 1995.
In accordance with the 1993 mandates of the Defense Base Closure
and Realignment Commission (BRAC 93), the Navy will close NAS Cecil
Field, Florida, and realign its F/A-18 and S-3 aircraft, personnel, and
other ancillary activities. The 1995 Defense Base Closure and
Realignment Commission (BRAC 95) changed the receiving sites for NAS
Cecil Field assets to ``other naval air stations, primarily NAS Oceana,
Virginia; MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina; NAS Jacksonville, Florida; and
NAS Atlanta, Georgia; or other Navy or Marine Corps Air Stations with
the necessary capacity and support infrastructure.'' This change was
made to support the Navy's operational mission by maximizing the use of
existing infrastructure and capacity, eliminating the need for
substantial new construction to support the realignment, and
maintaining operational flexibility for deployment.
The Navy's November 16, 1995 notice of intent indicated that for
BRAC 95, two F/A-18 reserve squadrons are proposed to be transferred to
NAS Atlanta for integration with Naval Reserve Forces and would be the
subject of separate NEPA documentation. This action has not been
revised by this amended notice of intent. The Navy's previous notice of
intent also stated that two F/A-18 operational squadrons would be
transferred to MCAS Beaufort and be addressed in a separate NEPA
environmental assessment. The remainder of the F/A-18 assets (9
operational squadrons and the Fleet Replacement Squadron [FRS]), were
to be transferred to NAS Oceana and be the subject of an EIS.
In recognition of non-specific language contained within the
mandates of BRAC 95, the Navy has conducted preliminary planning
analysis to determine a range of reasonable alternatives for the basing
of F/A-18 operational aircraft. This included identifying east coast
air stations with necessary capacity, compatible missions and
appropriate facilities to support F/A-18 operations.
The Navy's preliminary analysis indicated that the following
stations have compatible missions, necessary capacity, and could
support F/A-18 aircraft: NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA; MCAS Cherry
Point, Havelock, NC; and MCAS Beaufort, SC. Based on this preliminary
analysis, the Navy is in the process of developing F/A-18 alternative
realignment scenarios for inclusion in the EIS.
No preferred alternative for the realignment has been identified by
the Navy. Because several reasonable alternatives may be identified for
the realignment of F/A-18 operational aircraft, the Navy now plans to
prepare one EIS addressing the transfer of all 11 operational squadrons
and the FRS from NAS Cecil Field.
This move includes approximately 200 aircraft, 5000 military
personnel, and 200 civilians. In order to accommodate this realignment,
depending on the alternative, new/existing facilities will be
constructed or modified at NAS Oceana, MCAS Cherry Point, and/or MCAS
Beaufort. In addition, this realignment will result in a greater level
of aircraft operations at each of the respective stations and their
associated training ranges, depending on the alternative selected.
The Navy intends to analyze the potential impacts of each
alternative on the natural environment, including but not limited to
air quality, plant and animal habitats, and water resources, such as
streams and wetlands. It will also evaluate potential effects to the
built environment, including land use patterns, cultural resources,
transportation, housing, community services, and the regional economy.
Further, the Navy will be preparing analyses of the projected
operations of the incoming F/A-18 aircraft on the existing airspace
range structure in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and on
aircraft noise exposure levels in and around NAS Oceana, MCAS Cherry
Point and MCAS
[[Page 43534]]
Beaufort, associated outlying landing fields, and training areas.
ADDRESSES: The Navy has initiated a scoping process for the purpose of
determining the scope of significant issues to be addressed in the EIS
related to the proposed action. The Navy will hold two additional
Public Scoping Meetings on the following dates: September 10, 1996,
beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Havelock City Hall, Council Chambers, 1
Hatteras Avenue (at Route 70), Havelock, NC; and on September 11, 1996,
beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Technical College of the Low Country,
Learning Resource Center, Main Auditorium, Building 12, 921 Ribaut
Road, Beaufort, SC.
In order to ensure adequate time for those wishing to make public
comments at the meetings, speakers will be limited to five minutes.
Agencies and the public are also invited and encouraged to provide
written comments on the scope of the EIS. Please mail written comments
no later than October 5, 1996 to: Commander, Atlantic Division, Naval
Facilities Engineering Command, 1510 Gilbert Street, Norfolk, Virginia
23511, Attn: Code 2032DC (Mr. Dan Cecchini), telephone (757) 322-4891,
fax: (757) 322-4859.
D. E. Koenig,
LCDR, JAGC, USN, Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-21551 Filed 8-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P