[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 225 (Friday, November 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62292-62293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30673]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Public Hearing for the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (DEIS) for the Realignment of E-2 Squadrons From Naval Air 
Station (NAS) Miramar

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality regulations 
(40 CFR parts 1500-1508) implementing the procedural provisions of the 
National Environmental Policy Act, the Department of the Navy has 
prepared and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the realignment of E-2 
squadrons from NAS Miramar. The DEIS also has been prepared in 
accordance with the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 
(DBCRA, P.L. 101-510) and the pertinent base closure and realignment 
decisions of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission 
approved by the President and accepted by Congress in September 1993 
and September 1995.
    The proposed action is to relocate four E-2 aircraft squadrons (16 
aircraft) and related support personnel, equipment and functions from 
NAS Miramar to one of three alternative naval air bases in California. 
The proposed action includes relocating the 16 E-2 aircraft, 988 
associated personnel and their families, and expanding or constructing 
facilities to support aircraft and personnel, and to provide associated 
training functions. In addition to the increased staffing and equipment 
levels, there would be an increase in Navy training and an increase in 
flight operations at the receiving installation. The preferred 
alternative is realignment of the E-2 squadrons to Naval Air Weapons 
Station (NAWS) Point Mugu, CA. Two other alternative sites were 
evaluated in detail: (1) Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, CA, and (2) 
Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, CA. NAS North Island was initially 
considered as a potential alternative base, but was eliminated because 
of the need to support Clean Air requirements with regard to the BRAC-
mandated Marine Corps realignment to MCAS Miramar.
    A Notice of Intent (NOI) for the DEIS was published in the Federal 
Register on May 1, 1996. Public scoping meetings were held at the 
following locations: (1) On Tuesday, May 21, 1996, at the Oxnard Center 
for Performing Arts, Thousand Oaks/Hueneme Room, 800 Hobson Way, 
Oxnard, CA; (2) On Thursday, May 23, 1996, at the Board of Supervisors 
Chambers, County Administration Center (Second Floor), 940 West Main 
Street, El Centro, CA; (3) On Tuesday, May 28, 1996, at Coronado High 
School Auditorium, 650 D Avenue, Coronado, CA; and (4) On Wednesday, 
May 29, 1996, at Lemoore Union High School Cafeteria, Back Room, 101 
East Bush Street, Lemoore, CA.
    The DEIS analyzes potential environmental impacts of the proposed 
action on biological resources, hydrology/surface water quality, land 
use and airspace, socioeconomics, traffic and circulation, air quality, 
noise, aesthetics and visual resources, utilities and services, 
cultural resources, public health and safety, and hazardous materials 
and wastes. Potentially significant, but mitigable, environmental 
impacts include impacts to air quality, schools, and cultural resources 
at NAWS Point Mugu; air quality and schools at NAS Lemmore; and 
biological resources, noise/land use compatibility, and conflict with 
existing aircraft operations at NAF El Centro.
    No decision on the proposed action will be made until the NEPA 
process has been completed.
    The DEIS has been distributed to various federal, state and local 
agencies, local groups, elected officers, special interest groups and 
individuals. The DEIS is available for review at the following 
libraries:

Near NAWS Point Mugu

--City of Camarillo Public Library, 3100 Ponderosa Drive, Camarillo, 
CA;
--City of Oxnard Public Library, 251 South A Street, Oxnard, CA;
--City of Port Hueneme Public Library, 510 Park Avenue, Port Hueneme, 
CA;
--City of Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 East Anapamu Street, Santa 
Barbara, CA;
--City of Ventura Public Library, 651 East Main Street, Ventura, CA; 
and
--Ventura City College Library, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA.

Near NAF El Centro

--City of Brawley Public Library, 400 Main Street, Brawley, CA; and
--City of El Centro Public Library, 539 State Street, El Centro, CA.

Near NAS Lemoore

--City of Avenal Public Library, 919 Skyline Boulevard, Avenal, CA;
--City of Lemoore Public Library, 457 C Street, Lemoore, CA;
--City of Hanford Public Library, 400 North Douty, Hanford, CA; and
--City of Fresno Public Library, 2420 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA.

[[Page 62293]]

Near NAS North Island

--City of Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA;
--National City Public Library, 200 East 12th Street, National City, 
CA;
--City of Imperial Beach Public Library, 810 Imperial Beach Blvd., 
Imperial Beach, CA; and
--City of San Diego Public Library, 820 E Street, San Diego, CA.

ADDRESSES: The Navy will conduct three public hearings to receive oral 
and written comments concerning the DEIS: (1) On Monday, December 8, 
1997, at 7:00 p.m., at Imperial County Administration Center, Board of 
Supervisors Chambers, 940 Main Street, El Centro, CA; (2) On Tuesday, 
December 9, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., at Oxnard Center for Performing Arts, 
Thousand Oaks/Hueneme Room, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, CA; and (3) On 
Wednesday, December 10, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., at Lemoore Civic 
Auditorium, 435 C Street, Lemoore, CA.
    A brief presentation will precede a request for public information 
and comments. Navy representatives will be available at these hearings 
to receive information and comments from agencies and the public 
regarding issues of concern. Federal, state and local agencies, and 
interested individuals are invited to be present or represented at the 
hearings. Oral comments will be heard and transcribed by a 
stenographer. To assure accuracy of the record, all comments should be 
submitted in writing. All comments, both oral and written, will become 
part of the public record in the study. In the interest of available 
time, each speaker will be asked to limit oral comments to four 
minutes. Longer comments should be summarized at the public hearing and 
submitted in writing either at the hearing or mailed to the address 
listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please provide written comments by 
January 5, 1998, to Ms. Kelly Knight, Code 553.KK, Southwest Division, 
Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, 
California 92132-5190, telephone (619) 532-2456, fax (619) 532-1242.

    Dated: November 18, 1997.
Darse E. Crandall,
LCDR, JAGC, USN, Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-30673 Filed 11-20-97; 8:45 am]
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