[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 119 (Thursday, June 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34230-34231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12026]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Availability of Finding

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 and the Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), implementing procedural 
provisions of NEPA, the Department of the Navy (DON) gives notice that 
a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been issued and is 
available for the Combined Carrier Strike Group Composite Training Unit 
Exercise/Joint Task Force Exercise that will occur during July and 
August 2007 (CSG COMPTUEX/JTFEX (Jul/Aug 2007)). In addition, pursuant 
to Executive Order (EO) 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major 
Federal Actions, a Finding of No Significant Harm (FONSH) has been 
issued and is available for Combined CSG COMPTUEX/JTFEX (Jul/Aug 2007).

DATES: The effective date of availability is June 21, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the FONSI and FONSH are available for 
public viewing or downloading at http://www.navydocuments.com. Single 
copies of the FONSI and FONSH may be obtained by written request from: 
Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, 6506 Hampton 
Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23508-1278 (ATTN: Code EV 21ES).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander, Second Fleet Public 
Affairs, Commander Phillips 757-443-9822 or visit http://www.navydocuments.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Combined CSG COMPTUEX/JTFEX (Jul/Aug 2007) 
is a major Navy Atlantic Fleet training exercise proposed to occur in 
July and August 2007 in the offshore Virginia Capes, Cherry Point, and 
Charleston/Jacksonville Operating Areas (OPAREAs) and adjacent military 
installations. The purpose of this exercise is to certify naval forces 
as combat-ready. Activities conducted during the exercise include air-
to-ground bombing at land ranges, gunnery

[[Page 34231]]

exercises, small craft interdiction operations, maritime interdiction 
operations, mine exercises, missile exercises, combat search and rescue 
exercises and anti-submarine warfare, including use of mid-frequency 
active (MFA) sonar.
    The FONSI is based on analysis contained in a Comprehensive 
Environmental Assessment (EA) addressing environmental impacts 
associated with land-based training for Major Atlantic Fleet Training 
Exercises on the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S. The FONSH is based on 
analysis contained in a Comprehensive Overseas Environmental Assessment 
(OEA) and Supplement to the Comprehensive OEA (SOEA) for environmental 
impacts associated with Navy's conduct of major exercise training in 
offshore operating areas along the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S. 
Environmental concerns addressed in the EA included land use, community 
facilities, coastal zone management, socioeconomics, cultural 
resources, airspace, air quality, noise, geology, soils, water 
resources, biological resources, munitions and hazardous materials 
management, and safety. The OEAs addressed potential impacts to the 
ocean physical environment, fish and Essential Fish Habitat; sea 
turtles and marine mammals; seabirds and migratory birds; endangered 
and threatened species; socioeconomics; and cultural resources. The 
SOEA included an updated analysis of MFA sonar use and the potential 
for gunnery use associated with Combined CSG COMPTUEX/JTFEX (Jul/Aug 
2007). Gunnery events using live ordnance were initially scheduled but 
are not currently proposed as part of the exercise. Endangered Species 
Act Section 7 consultation between the Navy and National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) resulted in a biological opinion from NMFS 
concluding that the proposed exercise is not likely to jeopardize the 
continued existence of any threatened or endangered species nor to 
adversely modify or destroy any designated critical habitat.
    This action includes mitigation measures to reduce impacts to a 
level that is less than significant. Based on information gathered 
during preparation of the Major Atlantic Fleet Training Exercise EA and 
OEA and the SOEA, consultation with NMFS, and the evaluation of the 
nature, scope and intensity of the proposed action, the Navy finds that 
the conduct of the Combined CSG COMPTUEX/JTFEX (Jul/Aug 2007) will not 
significantly impact or harm the environment and, therefore, an 
Environmental Impact Statement or Overseas Environmental Impact 
Statement is not required.

    Dated: June 13, 2007.
L.R. Almand,
Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Administrative Law 
Division, Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-12026 Filed 6-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P