[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 6, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 67606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28208]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Department of Defense Mission Closure at Johnston Atoll Airfield

    Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 
as amended (42 United States Code 4321, et seq.), the Council on 
Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for implementing the procedural 
provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500-
1508), and Air Force policy and procedures (32 CFR 989), Detachment 1 
of the 15 Air Base Wing (ABW) intends to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for the DoD mission closure of Johnston Atoll 
Airfield. Johnston Atoll (JA) is an unincorporated territory (i.e., 
possession) of the United States located approximately 717 nautical 
miles southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, in the central Pacific Ocean. The 
Air Force and its implementing agent, Detachment 1, 15 ABW currently 
serves as the host-management agency for JA military missions. After 
December 31, 2003, no further military mission requirements have been 
identified for JA.
    Detachment 1, 15 ABW will be the lead agency for the EIS. Since 
Honolulu is the closest population center to this remote Pacific atoll, 
Detachment 1, 15 ABW will conduct a Public Scoping Meeting, scheduled 
for November 6, 2002, in Honolulu, Hawaii at Washington Intermediate 
School, located at 1633 South King Street. The meeting's purpose is to 
determine the environmental issues and concerns to be analyzed, to 
solicit comments on the Proposed Action and alternatives, and to 
solicit input for other alternatives to be considered in the EIS.
    The current proposal evaluates four alternatives--(1) No Action; 
(2) mission closure with declaration of excess to General Services 
Administration (GSA); (3) mission closure, but retain ownership of JA 
(do not excess property to GSA); and (4) caretaker status (mothball JA 
and retain for future missions). The Proposed Action is alternative 
(2); however, all comments received during the Scoping Meeting will be 
considered prior to the Air Force making a decision.
    For further information concerning the DoD mission closure at JA or 
alternatives to the proposed action, please contact Ms. Fran Saunders, 
Chief, Johnston Atoll Program Office, OL-A, Detachment 1, 15 ABW, 200 
Vickers Avenue, Bldg 1055, Hickam AFB, HI 96853-5271.

Pamela D. Fitzgerald,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-28208 Filed 11-5-02; 8:45 am]
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