[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15471-15472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8191]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Implementation of the Draft Integrated Management Plan for the Patuxent 
River Complex, Maryland

SUMMARY: Per 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 
announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
to evaluate the potential environmental effects of implementing the 
draft Integrated Management Plan for the Patuxent River Complex, 
Maryland. The Patuxent River Complex includes the Patuxent River Naval 
Air Station (NAS) including the Test Pilot School, Webster Field Annex 
(an Outlying Field), and the Chesapeake Test Range, which are assets 
under the exclusive control and scheduling authority of the Naval Air 
Warfare Center--Aircraft Division (NAWCAD).
    The Patuxent River Complex is located 60 miles southeast of 
Washington, DC, in southern Maryland, where the Navy has actively 
conducted aircraft test and evaluation activities for more than 50 
years. In recent years, the post-Cold War shift from the threat of 
nuclear superpower confrontation to regional conflicts has required the

[[Page 15472]]

military services to redefine their roles and identify the types of 
weapons and platforms most effective to future success in regional 
conflicts.
    Concurrent with the rise of regional conflicts has been a trend of 
significant reductions in national defense spending. The Patuxent River 
Complex has been affected by the 1991, 1993, and 1995 Base Realignment 
and Closure Act (BRAC) decisions to relocate Naval Aviation Research, 
Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) facilities from Warminster, 
Pennsylvania and Trenton, New Jersey and Naval Air Systems headquarters 
from Arlington, Virginia to the Complex. (Environmental Impact 
Statements were prepared in 1993 and 1994 to assess this realignment of 
these functions; issues addressed in these NEPA documents will be 
incorporated by reference only in the EIS for the Patuxent River 
Complex Integrated Management Plan.) These realignments and 
consolidation of their assets will better position NAWCAD to carry out 
its mission as the Navy's principal RDT&E, engineering, and fleet 
support activity for Naval fixed and rotary wing aircraft and 
associated systems from acquisition through all life cycle phases.
    In response to these changes, NAWCAD recognized the need to 
initiate a strategic planning initiative that included the preparation 
of an Integrated Management Plan for the NAWCAD-controlled assets in 
the Patuxent River Complex. The implementation of the plan will enable 
the Navy to meet its commitment to conserve and protect the unique 
natural and cultural resources of the Patuxent River Complex and 
Chesapeake Bay while protecting human health and welfare.
    The Integrated Management Plan will provide a framework within 
which NAWCAD can efficiently and effectively utilize the assets under 
its control to meet its strategic planning initiatives while complying 
with applicable local, state, and Federal laws. However, prior to 
NAWCAD adoption of the Integrated Management Plan, compliance with NEPA 
is required. The preparation of an EIS will meet these NEPA 
requirements. The EIS will address a range of alternatives that focus 
on varying workload levels associated with both RDT&E and military 
training support activities: (1) Level I Workload Alternative will 
consist of RDT&E activities at recent levels and an increase in 
military training support activities for a combined total of 
approximately 22,000 flight hours per year; (2) Level II Workload 
Alternative will consist of increases in RDT&E activities and military 
training support activities for a combined total of approximately 
24,000 flight hours per year; and (3) Level III Workload Alternative 
will consist of increased RDT&E activities and military training 
support activities for a combined total of approximately 26,000 flight 
hours per year. As required by NEPA, the EIS will also consider the No 
Action Alternative. This alternative would consist of RDT&E activities 
and military training support activities at existing workload levels.
    Topics to be addressed in the EIS will include, but are not limited 
to, noise, air quality, vegetation and wildlife, water quality, and 
socioeconomic impacts, including environmental justice. Federal, state, 
and local agencies, and interested individuals are encouraged to 
participate in a scoping process to determine the range of issues 
related to the proposed action.
    Five public scoping meetings will be held to receive oral and 
written comments. Each scoping meeting will provide opportunities for 
clarification of the draft Integrated Management Plan and alternatives 
and solicit input from representatives of government agencies and 
interested individuals. The Navy will set up information stations at 
these scoping meetings that will describe the Patuxent River Complex, 
the scope of Integrated Management Plan, and the NEPA EIS process. Each 
information station will be attended by a Navy presenter who will be 
available to answer questions from meeting attendees. Comments will be 
entered into the official record in several ways: written comments 
sheets available at each meeting; tape recorders located throughout the 
meeting area; and via a stenographer who will be available to 
transcribe statements. Written comments will also be accepted via mail 
or fax. Regardless of the commenting method chosen, all comments will 
receive the same attention and consideration during EIS preparation.
    The five public scoping meetings will be held at the following 
times and locations: (1) Prince Frederick, Maryland on May 6, 1997 at 
the Calvert High School from 3:30 pm-5:30pm and 6:30 pm-8:30 pm; (2) 
Leonardtown, Maryland on May 8, 1997 at the Leonardtown High School 
School from 3:30 pm-5:30 pm and 6:30 pm-8:30 pm; (3) Burgess, Virginia 
on May 12, 1997 at the Fairfields Baptist Church from 3:00 pm-6:00 pm; 
Westover, Maryland on May 14, 1997 at the JM Tawes Technical Center 
from 3:00 pm-6:00 pm; and (5) Cambridge, Maryland on May 15, 1997 at 
the Christ Episcopal Church from 2:00 pm-5:00 pm and 6:30 pm-8:30 pm. 
The schedule for the public scoping meetings will also be available by 
calling (888) 276-5201.

ADDRESSES: The Navy will accept comments at the address below at any 
time during the environmental impact statement process. To ensure that 
the Navy has sufficient time to consider public input during 
preparation of the Draft EIS, scoping comments should be submitted to 
the address below by June 1, 1997. For further information concerning 
the preparation of the EIS, or to provide written comment, contact: 
Cathy A. Partusch, Public Affairs Officer, Naval Air Station Patuxent 
River, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Naval Air Station 
Patuxent River, Maryland, telephone (301) 342-7512, ext. 24; fax (301) 
342-7509; Internet: PartuschCA%[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information concerning this 
notice may be obtained by contacting Ms. Cathy Partusch at (301) 342-
7512.

    Dated: March 21, 1997.
M.A. Waters,
LCDR, JAG, USN, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-8191 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]
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