[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