[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66314-66315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19163]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Homeporting Additional Surface Ships at Naval Station Mayport, FL, and 
To Announce a 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 Navy (Navy) announces its intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential 
environmental consequences of constructing and operating the facilities 
and infrastructure associated with homeporting additional surface ships 
at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport, FL. The Navy proposes to review and 
assess homeporting additional Atlantic Fleet surface ships at NAVSTA 
Mayport including cruisers, destroyers, frigates, amphibious assault 
ships, amphibious transport docks, dock landing ships, and/or a 
nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Ultimately the homeporting could 
involve the relocation of existing ships to NAVSTA Mayport or the 
assignment of newly acquired ships to NAVSTA Mayport. The proposal 
includes only those required activities necessary to prepare and 
operate NAVSTA Mayport for the proposed homeporting and does not 
include actions at other Navy bases. The EIS study area is NAVSTA 
Mayport, the Mayport turning basin, the entrance channel, and a portion 
of the main shipping channel. NAVSTA Mayport covers 3,409 acres and is 
homeport for 22 ships, five helicopter squadrons, and approximately 
16,010 sailors and civilians making it the third largest naval facility 
in the continental U.S. The scope of actions to be analyzed in this EIS 
includes homeporting of various classes of surface ships and 
construction to include dredging, infrastructure and wharf 
improvements, and construction of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier 
propulsion plant maintenance facilities (depot-level maintenance 
facilities including a controlled industrial facility, ship maintenance 
facility, and maintenance support facility).
    Dates and Addresses: One public scoping meeting will be held in 
Jacksonville, FL, to receive written comments on environmental concerns

[[Page 66315]]

that should be addressed in the EIS. The public scoping open house will 
be held on December 5, 2006, from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Wilson 
Center of the Florida Community College at Jacksonville, South Campus, 
11901 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Will Sloger, Naval Facilities 
Engineering Command Southeast, 2155 Eagle Drive, North Charleston, SC 
29406; telephone 843-820-5797; facsimile 843-820-5848.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the proposed action is to 
ensure effective support of Fleet operational requirements through 
efficient use of waterfront and shoreside facilities at NAVSTA Mayport.
    The EIS will evaluate the environmental effects associated with: 
Water resources; air quality; biological resources, including 
threatened and endangered species; land use; socioeconomic resources; 
infrastructure; and cultural resources. The analysis will include an 
evaluation of direct and indirect impacts, and will account for 
cumulative impacts from other relevant activities in the Mayport area. 
The Navy will analyze alternatives that include cruisers, destroyers, 
frigates, amphibious assault ships, amphibious transport docks, dock 
landing ships, and/or a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. No decision 
will be made to implement any alternative until the EIS process is 
completed and a Record of Decision is signed by the Assistant Secretary 
of the Navy (Installations and Environment).
    The Navy is initiating the scoping process to identify community 
concerns and local issues to be addressed in the EIS. Federal agencies, 
State agencies, local agencies, and interested persons are encouraged 
to provide written comments to the Navy to identify specific issues or 
topics of environmental concern that should be addressed in the EIS. 
Written comments must be postmarked by December 29, 2006 and should be 
mailed to: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast, 2155 Eagle 
Drive, North Charleston, SC 29406, Attn: Code EV21 (Mr. Will Sloger), 
telephone 843-820-5797, facsimile 843-820-5848.

    Dated: November 1, 2006.
M.A. Harvison,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
 [FR Doc. E6-19163 Filed 11-13-06; 8:45 am]
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