[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 80 (Friday, April 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 20160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10775]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Scoping Meetings for Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Implementation of a Comprehensive Land Use Management Plan at the 
Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, CA

SUMMARY: On April 1, 1997, the Department of the Navy announced its 
intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate 
the potential environmental effects of implementing a comprehensive 
Land Use Management Plan for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons 
Division (NAWCWD), located at the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS), 
China Lake, California. The Navy's proposed action is the 
implementation of a comprehensive Land Use Management Plan (LUMP) at 
NAWS China Lake for managing existing and proposed land uses authorized 
under the California Desert Protection Act. Proposed land uses include, 
but are not limited to, ongoing and future military operations, public 
health and safety practices, and ongoing and future environmental 
resources management and conservation at NAWS China Lake. The LUMP will 
be developed in conformance with the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act.
    The EIS will also evaluate a range of land use management 
practices, including the no action alternative. Alternative land use 
management practices could include a range of activities of greater or 
lessor intensity of land use type or tempo. The no action alternative 
would implement a Land Use Management Plan that would not change the 
ongoing type or tempo of land uses and environmental resources 
management direction or emphasis.
    Six scoping meetings will be held to solicit public input and 
identify issues that need discussion in the EIS. The meetings will be 
held at the following times and locations: (1) the fairgrounds in 
Ridgecrest, CA on May 20, 1997 at 7:00 p.m.; (2) The Rand Community 
Building in Johannesburg, CA on May 21, 1997 at 7:30 p.m.; (3) The 
Learning Center in Independence, CA on May 22, 1997 at 7:00 p.m.; (4) 
Trona High School in Trona, CA on June 3, 1997 at 7:00 p.m.; (5) 
Barstow Community College in Barstow, CA on June 4, 1997 at 7:00 p.m.; 
and (6) Inyokern Elementary School in Inyokern, CA on June 5, 1997 at 
7:00 p.m. A one-hour poster session will precede each meeting, so the 
public can familiarize itself with NAWS China Lake and the proposed 
action.

ADDRESSES: Agencies and the public are invited and encouraged to 
provide written comments in addition to, or in lieu of oral comments at 
the public scoping meetings. To be most helpful, scoping comments 
should clearly describe specific issues or topic which the EIS should 
address. Written comments must be postmarked by June 30, 1997 and 
should be mailed to Commander, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, 
Attn: Ms. Robin Hoffman, Land Use Planning Office, China Lake, CA 
93555, telephone (619) 939-0935, fax (619) 939-2541.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Additional information concerning this notice may be obtained by 
contacting Ms. Robin Hoffman at (619) 939-0935.

    Dated: April 21, 1997.
D.E. Koenig,
LCDR, JAGC, USN, Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-10775 Filed 4-24-97; 8:45 am]
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