[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 157 (Friday, August 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 43690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21937]



[[Page 43690]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Introduction of the V-22 to Second Marine Aircraft Wing

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DOD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy announces its intent to prepare an 
environmental impact statement for the introduction of the V-22 to 
Second Marine Aircraft Wing. Four public scoping meetings will be held. 
Agencies and the public are invited to provide written comments.

DATES: All written comments must be received no later than September 
21, 1998. Public Meeting dates are as follows:
    1. August 31, 1998, from 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Atlantic Elementary 
School, Atlantic, North Carolina;
    2. September 1, 1998, from 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Pollocksville 
Elementary School on Trenton Street, Pollocksville, North Carolina;
    3. September 2, 1998, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Onslow County 
Public Library, 58 Doris Avenue East, Jacksonville, North Carolina;
    4. September 3, 1998, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Havelock 
Elementary School on Cunningham Boulevard, Havelock, North Carolina.

ADDRESSES: Written comments, statements and/or questions regarding 
scoping issues should be addressed to: Commander, Atlantic Division, 
Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 1510 Gilbert Street, Norfolk, VA, 
23511-2699 (Attention: Mr. Jim Haluska, Code 203).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jim Haluska, (757) 322-4889, fax 
(757) 322-4894, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The V-22 aircraft, known as the Osprey, 
represents a new technology in military aviation. This aircraft 
utilizes tilt-rotary technology to enable it to operate like a rotary-
wing aircraft and a fixed-wing aircraft. The V-22 will replace the CH-
46E and CH-53D rotary-wing aircraft. Accordingly, its primary mission 
will be to support Fleet Marine Expeditionary Force training and 
operations. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to the 
Marine Corps in 2000 and delivery of the final aircraft is scheduled in 
2014.
    The Marine Corps intends to introduce the V-22 to the Second Marine 
Corps Aircraft Wing first, then introduce it to the Third Marine 
Aircraft Wing and First Marine Aircraft Wing. Delivery of V-22 to 
Second Marine Air Wing is scheduled to begin in 2000 and be complete in 
2006. Introduction of the V-22 to Third and First Marine Air Wings 
would commence after introduction to the Second Marine Air Wing is 
complete.
    The proposal being evaluated in this EIS is the basing of six 
squadrons of fleet V-22 aircraft to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing. 
Also, this proposal includes the establishment of a Fleet Replacement 
Squadron, which would provide training for all military pilots. This 
proposal includes construction of facilities to accommodate the 
aircraft, equipment and personnel. Finally, the proposal includes the 
use of existing outlying fields and airspace for military aircraft in 
support of training.
    The primary mission of the V-22 in Second Marine Aircraft Wing will 
be to support medium-lift requirements of Second Marine Expeditionary 
Force training and operations. Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune is 
the home of the Second Marine Expeditionary Force. Accordingly, 
alternatives to be considered in the EIS are all Department of Defense 
aviation facilities within the operational radius (300 miles) of the V-
22 from MCB Camp Lejeune. Alternatives identified so far include Marine 
Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, MCAS Cherry Point, MCAS Beaufort, 
Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico, Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, NAS 
Norfolk, Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base (AFB), and Langley AFB. 
Additional alternatives discovered during preparation of the EIS will 
be evaluated appropriately.
    To focus the EIS analysis to those alternatives that are 
reasonable, a screening criteria will be used. These criteria include 
compatibility of MV-22 operations with existing aviation operations, 
proximity to MCB Camp Lejeune, availability of existing facilities to 
support aircraft, equipment and personnel, and proximity to existing 
outlying landing fields.
    Environmental issues identified thus far to be addressed in the EIS 
include: geological resources, biological resources, water resources, 
noise, air quality, land use compatibility, cultural resources, 
socioeconomics, environmental justice, public health and safety, 
transportation/circulation, aesthetics, utilities, hazardous materials, 
and solid waste.

    Dated: August 10, 1998.
Duncan Holaday,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Facilities).
[FR Doc. 98-21937 Filed 8-13-98; 8:45 am]
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