[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 60 (Thursday, March 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14921-14922]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7475]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Stabilization of In-Water Facilities at the Fox Island Laboratory, 
Tacoma, WA and Public Scoping Meeting

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the 
Department of the Navy announces its intent to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental 
consequences of the stabilization of in-water facilities at the Naval 
Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) Fox Island 
Laboratory (FIL) near Tacoma, WA.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: A public scoping meeting will be held to receive 
oral and/or written comments on environmental concerns that should be 
addressed in the EIS. The public scoping meeting will be held on 
Wednesday, April 17, 2002, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Nichol's 
Community Center, 690 9th Ave, Fox Island, WA. All written comments 
must be postmarked by May 17, 2002, and be mailed to: Commander, 
Engineering Field Activity, Northwest, Naval Facilities Engineering 
Command, 19917 7th Ave NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370, Attn: Code 05EC3.KK (Mrs. 
Kimberly Kler), telephone (360) 396-0927, fax (360) 396-0854, E-Mail 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William Baxley, (Code 0670), Naval 
Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, 8010 North Ocean Drive, 
Dania, FL 33004; telephone (954) 926-4015, fax (954) 926-4031, E-Mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NSWCCD FIL needs to provide stable and 
safe in-water facilities, in order to meet its mission requirements. 
The facility, consisting of four barges, a pier, and associated mooring 
components has sustained substantial weather-related

[[Page 14922]]

damage and portions of the facility have reached a point of 
questionable structural integrity. The Navy proposes to either replace 
the barges with a more stable platform or repair the mooring 
structures. This project is required in order to continue the FIL 
mission in support of Navy programs, prevent additional damage to 
existing facilities, and improve personnel safety.
    NSWCCD is currently evaluating several alternative methods of 
stabilizing the Fox Island Laboratory in-water assets. The NSWCCD 
preferred alternative is to replace mooring components and improve 
access to the in-water operational facilities through the installation 
of a 240-ft floating concrete pontoon platform further off-shore. Other 
alternatives include: installation of a 360-ft concrete pontoon 
platform, installation of a pile-supported pier, replacement of the 
mooring system while maintaining the current configuration, and the No 
Action alternative of maintaining the current mooring system and barge 
configuration.
    The EIS will address the potential environmental impacts, as well 
as the potential effects on neighboring properties that may result from 
stabilization activities. These include, but are not limited to, 
adjacent shoreline post-project configurations, endangered and 
threatened species (salmon and trout), marine mammals, benthic 
communities (sea grasses), water quality, water views, and coastal zone 
management issues.
    NSWCCD is initiating a scoping process to identify community 
concerns and local issues that will be addressed in the EIS. Federal, 
state, local agencies, and interested persons are encouraged to provide 
oral and/or written comments to NSWCCD to identify environmental 
concerns that they believe should be addressed in the EIS. NSWCCD will 
consider these comments in determining the scope of the EIS.

    Dated: March 21, 2002.
T.J. Welsh,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-7475 Filed 3-27-02; 8:45 am]
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