[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77741-77742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22157]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Introduction of the P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft to the U.S. 
Navy Fleet and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings

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 (DON) announces its intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential 
environmental consequences of homebasing the P-8A Multi-Mission 
Maritime Aircraft (MMA) to the East and West Coasts of the United 
States and a presence, i.e., homebase or detachment, in Hawaii.
    The DON proposes to replace the maritime patrol P-3C aircraft with 
the P-8A MMA at existing continental United States maritime patrol 
homebases for P-3C Orion aircraft while maintaining a maritime patrol 
presence in Hawaii. The purpose is to transition from P-3C patrol 
aircraft to the P-8A MMA at existing homebases to maximize utilization 
of existing infrastructure to the maximum extent practicable to 
facilitate a quick and efficient transition while maintaining combat 
readiness. Currently, P-3C patrol squadrons are based at Naval Air 
Station (NAS) Brunswick, ME (to be relocated in their entirety to NAS 
Jacksonville by 2010 as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure 
2005 process); NAS Jacksonville, FL; NAS Whidbey Island, WA; Marine 
Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) Kaneohe Bay, HI; with periodic detachments at 
NAS North Island, CA.
    The proposed action is needed to transition from existing P-3C 
aircraft to the P-8A MMA while maintaining the Navy's overall maritime 
patrol capability in support of national defense objectives and 
policies without interruption or impediment to operations or combat 
readiness.
    The P-8A is designed to increase combat capability utilizing a 
smaller force making it a more effective tool for national defense. The 
P-8A is a derivative of the 737 commercial aircraft and will be 
equipped with systems capable of performing the current P-3C missions. 
Introduction of the P-8A MMA aircraft will begin in 2011 and be 
completed by 2019.
    The following have been identified as receiving sites: NAS Whidbey 
Island, WA, NAS Jacksonville, FL, and either MCBH Kaneohe Bay or Hickam 
Air Force Base, HI, with a training detachment site at NAS North 
Island, CA. The DON is currently evaluating a range of alternatives 
based on the number of squadrons homebased at each site, placement of 
the fleet replacement squadron, and the number of main operating bases.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: Public scoping meetings will be held to receive 
written comments on environmental concerns that should be addressed in 
the EIS. Public scoping meetings will be as follows:
    1. Jacksonville, FL, Thursday, January 11, 2007, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., 
Holiday Inn, Orange Park, 150 Park Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073.
    2. Honolulu, HI, Thursday, January 18, 2007, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Pacific 
Beach Hotel, 2490 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815.
    3. Coronado, CA, Thursday, February 8, 2007, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., 
Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118.
    4. Whidbey Island, WA, Thursday, February 15, 2007, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., 
Oak Harbor School District Office, Board Room, 350 S. Oak Harbor 
Street, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander, Naval Facilities 
Engineering Command Atlantic Division, 6506 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 
23508-1278, Attn: MMA PM, fax 757-322-4894.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose is to transition from P-3C 
patrol aircraft to the P-8A MMA at existing homebases to maximize 
utilization of existing infrastructure to the maximum extent 
practicable to facilitate a quick and efficient transition while 
maintaining combat readiness. The P-3C which has been in service since 
August 1969 is quickly approaching the end of its service life.
    The EIS will address the environmental impacts of the proposed 
action associated with basing of the P-8A MMA and associated with 
construction and/or renovation of buildings and other support 
facilities. In addition, the EIS will assess impacts on each local 
community and economy associated with relocation of military and 
contract personnel to the area to support the operation and maintenance 
of the P-8A MMA squadrons.
    The EIS will address any potential environmental impacts associated 
with: water resources, air quality, biological resources, threatened 
and endangered species, land use, socioeconomic resources, 
infrastructure, and cultural resources. Further, the DON will examine 
potential effects on existing airspace and aircraft noise exposure 
levels in and around the bases. The analyses will include direct and 
indirect impacts, and will account for cumulative impacts from other 
past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions in the site 
specific location.
    The DON is initiating the scoping process to identify community 
concerns and local issues that should be addressed in the EIS. Federal, 
state, and local agencies, and interested parties are encouraged to 
provide written comments to the DON to identify specific issues or 
topics of environmental concern that should be addressed in the EIS. 
The DON will consider these comments in determining the scope of the 
EIS.
    Written comments on the scope of the EIS should be submitted and 
postmarked no later than March 2, 2007, and should be mailed to: 
Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, 6506 Hampton 
Blvd., Norfolk,

[[Page 77742]]

VA 23508-1278, Attn: MMA PM, fax 757-322-4859; or made on line at 
http://www.mmaeis.com.

    Dated: December 21, 2006.
M. A. Harvison,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-22157 Filed 12-26-06; 8:45 am]
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