[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65315-65316]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22645]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Availability of Finding

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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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 Expeditionary Strike Group Composite Training Unit 
Exercise (ESG COMPUTEX) (November/December 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 ESG COMPUTEX (November/December 2007).

DATES: The effective date of the finding is October 25, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the FONSI and FONSH are available for 
public viewing or downloading at http://www.navydocuments.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander, Second Fleet Public 
Affairs, Commander Phillips, tel 757-

[[Page 65316]]

443-9822 or visit http://www.navydocuments.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ESG COMPTUEX (November/December 2007) is a 
major Navy Atlantic Fleet training exercise proposed to occur in 
November and December 2007 in the offshore Virginia Capes, Cherry 
Point, and Charleston 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, amphibious landings, mine warfare 
exercises, gunnery exercises, small craft interdiction operations, 
maritime interdiction operations, 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 gunnery use 
associated with ESG COMPTUEX (November/December 2007).
    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 and the evaluation of the nature, scope and intensity 
of the proposed action, the Navy finds that the conduct of the ESG 
COMPUTEX (November/December 2007) will not significantly impact or harm 
the environment and, therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement or 
Overseas Environmental Impact Statement is not required.

    Dated: November 14, 2007.
T.M. Cruz,
Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register 
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-22645 Filed 11-19-07; 8:45 am]
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