[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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