[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36673-36674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17149]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Public Hearings for Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Introduction of the V-22 to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy, United States Marine Corps has 
prepared and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to evaluate the 
introduction of the V-22 aircraft to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing in 
eastern North Carolina. In accordance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations, 
this notice announces the dates and locations of public hearings for 
the DEIS.

DATES: Comments must be postmarked by August 9, 1999.

    The meeting dates are:
    1. July 19, 1999, 3:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., Jacksonville, NC.
    2. July 20, 1999, 3:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., Havelock, NC.
    3. July 21, 1999, 3:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., Atlantic, NC.
    4. July 22, 1999, 3:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., Pollocksville, NC.

ADDRESSES: Address written comments to Commander, Atlantic Division, 
Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Attn: Mr. James Haluska (Code 
2033JH), 1510 Gilbert Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23511; Fax: (757) 322-
4894.
    The meeting locations are:
    1. Jacksonville, NC--Jacksonville City Hall, Meeting Room A, 211 
Johnson Boulevard, Jacksonville, NC;
    2. Havelock, NC--Havelock City Hall, 1 Hatteras Avenue, Havelock, 
NC;
    3. Atlantic, NC--Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field Atlantic, 
Building 7017, Administration & Housing, Airfield Road, Atlantic, NC;
    4. Pollocksville, NC--Pollocksville Elementary School, 300 Trent 
Street, Pollocksville, NC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information concerning this 
notice may be obtained by contacting Mr. James Haluska, (757) 322-4889 
or Lt. Col. Blackiston, Community Plans and Liaison Officer, MCAS 
Cherry Point, (919) 466-4196.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 102(2) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the Council 
on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), the Department 
of the Navy, United States Marine Corps has prepared a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to assess the potential 
environmental effects of introducing the V-22 ``Osprey,'' a new type of 
tiltrotor aircraft, to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing (2d MAW) which 
operates from several Marine Corps air stations located along the East 
Coast of the United States. The DEIS has been distributed to various 
Federal, state, and local agencies, as well as other interested 
individuals and organizations. In addition, copies of the DEIS have 
been distributed to the following libraries for public review: Carteret 
County Public Library, 210 Turner Street, Beauport, NC; Craven-Pamlico-
Carteret Regional Library, 400 Johnson Street, New Bern, NC; Godwin 
Memorial Library, College Street, New Bern, NC; Havelock-Craven County 
Public Library, 300 Miller Boulevard, Havelock, NC; Onslow County 
Public Library, 58 Doris Avenue East, Jacksonville, NC; and Pamlico 
County Library, Bayboro, NC. A limited number of single copies of the 
DEIS are available upon request by contacting Mr. James Haluska at 
(757) 322-4889.
    The introduction of the V-22 to the 2d MAW is part of a Corps-wide 
process of replacing two existing weapons systems, the CH-46E and CH-
53D medium-lift helicopters currently used by the USMC MAWs, with a new 
weapon system. The USMC relies on a veteran fleet of CH-46Es and CH-
53Ds for medium-lift operations, such as the delivery of troops and 
equipment in amphibious assault operations. These aircraft are nearing 
the end of their lifecycle, cannot travel great distances, and are not 
well equipped for night or adverse weather operations. The V-22 is 
capable of vertical/short takeoffs and landings, significantly greater 
flight distances at a faster speed, and with a greater payload than the 
helicopters it would replace. The proposed action, therefore, is to 
replace the CH-46 assets of the 2d MAW with the V-22 on a one-to-one 
basis. (Currently, the 2d MAW has no CH-53D assets. These are all 
located in MCB Hawaii.) Replacement of a weapons system such as the CH-
46 involves more than just a substitution of a new system for an old 
one. It includes replacement or renovation of the facilities used to 
house and maintain the system. It also includes development within the 
USMC of the skills needed to employ the new weapons system during 
wartime.
    The CH-46E aircraft are near the end of their operating life. The 
USMC must continue to have the capability of supporting combat forces, 
by lifting personnel and equipment into and out

[[Page 36674]]

of confined sites quickly, at any time, under any conditions, in remote 
and/or hostile environments. The political conditions of the post-Cold 
War era have led to the realization by the DOD that future threats to 
American security, particularly the nation's economic health, are 
increasingly linked to the stability of other regions of the world. The 
current US defense strategy is to address sources of regional conflict 
and instability with a visible, forward presence, and an effective 
response to crises.
    The Marine Corps will conduct public hearings starting Monday, July 
19 to Thursday, July 22, 1999 for those individuals who would like to 
provide comments on the DEIS. These hearings will be open sessions and 
will allow individuals to review the data presented in the DEIS and at 
displays provided for the hearing. Department of the Navy 
representatives will be available during the hearing to answer 
questions and/or clarify information related to the DEIS and to assist 
those who wish to comment. Federal, state, and local agencies and 
interested parties are invited and urged to be present or represented 
at the hearing. Oral statements will be heard and transcribed by a 
stenographer; however, to ensure the accuracy of the record, all 
statements should be submitted in writing. In the interest of available 
time and to ensure all who wish to give an oral statement have the 
opportunity to do so, each speaker will be asked to limit their 
comments to three (3) minutes. If longer statements are to be 
presented, they should be summarized at the public hearing and 
submitted in writing either at the hearing or mailed or faxed to Mr. 
James Haluska at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice. Equal weight will be given to both oral and written statements. 
All written comments postmarked by August 9, 1999 will become a part of 
the official public record and will be responded to in the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement.

    Dated: July 1, 1999.
Ralph W. Corey,
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Alternate Federal 
Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-17149 Filed 7-6-99; 8:45 am]
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