[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 125 (Friday, June 27, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36495-36498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14541]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Public Hearings for the Jacksonville Range Complex 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Overseas Environmental Impact 
Statement

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 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] Sec.  4321); 
the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for implementing 
the procedural provisions of NEPA (Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations 
[CFR] Parts 1500-1508); Department of the Navy Procedures for 
Implementing NEPA (32 CFR 775); Executive Order (EO) 12114, 
Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions; and Department 
of Defense (DoD) regulations implementing EO 12114 (32 CFR Part 187), 
the Department of the Navy (Navy) has prepared and filed with the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) on June 18, 2008. 
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is a Cooperating Agency 
for the EIS/OEIS.
    The EIS/OEIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts over a 
10-year planning horizon associated with Navy Atlantic Fleet training; 
research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities; and 
associated range capabilities enhancements (including infrastructure 
improvements) within the existing Jacksonville (JAX) Range Complex 
Operating Area (OPAREA). The JAX Range Complex geographically 
encompasses offshore, near-shore, and onshore OPAREA, ranges, and 
special use airspace (SUA).
    Components of the JAX Range Complex encompass 50,090 square 
nautical miles (nm\2\) of sea space and 62,596 nm \2\ of SUA off the 
coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, as well 
as 20 miles\2\ of inland range area in north-central Florida. A Notice 
of Intent for this Draft EIS/OEIS was published in the Federal Register 
on January 26, 2007 (72 FR 3806).

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    The Navy will conduct four public hearings to receive oral and 
written comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS. Federal agencies, state 
agencies, and local agencies and interested individuals are invited to 
be present or represented at the public hearings. This notice announces 
the dates and locations of the public hearings for this Draft EIS/OEIS.
    An open house session will precede the scheduled public hearing at 
each of the locations listed below and will allow individuals to review 
the information presented in the JAX Range Complex Draft EIS/OEIS. Navy 
representatives will be available during the open house sessions to 
clarify information related to the Draft EIS/OEIS.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: All meetings will start with an open house session 
from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A formal presentation and public comment period 
will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Public hearings will be held on the 
following dates and at the following locations: July 28, 2008 at the 
Doubletree Guest Suites--Historic Charleston, 181 Church Street, 
Charleston, SC; July 29, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Beaufort; 2225 Boundry 
St., Beaufort, SC; July 30, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Savannah, 2 W. 
Bay Street, Savannah, GA; July 31, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency 
Jacksonville--Riverfront; 225 E. Coastline Dr., Jacksonville, FL.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 
Atlantic, Attention, EV22CM (JAX EIS/OEIS PM), 6506 Hampton Boulevard, 
Norfolk, Virginia 23508-1278; facsimile: 757-322-4894 or http://www.jacksonvillerangecomplexeis.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Navy has identified the need to support 
and conduct current and emerging training and RDT&E operations in the 
JAX Range Complex. The proposed action does not indicate major changes 
to JAX Range Complex facilities, operations, training, or RDT&E 
capacities over the 10-year planning period. Rather, the proposed 
action would result in relatively small-scale but critical enhancements 
to the JAX Range Complex that are necessary if the Navy is to maintain 
a state of military readiness commensurate with its national defense 
mission.
    The EIS/OEIS addresses the training strategies described in the 
Fleet Readiness Training Plan (FRTP) that implement the Fleet Response 
Plan, which ensures continuous availability of agile, flexible, 
trained, and ready surge-capable (rapid response) forces. The 
recommended range enhancements that have the potential to impact the 
environment, as well as current and future training and testing 
operations that have the potential to impact the environment, are the 
primary focus of the EIS/OEIS.
    The purpose for the proposed action is to:
     Achieve and maintain Fleet readiness using the JAX Range 
Complex to support and conduct current, emerging, and future training 
operations and RDT&E operations;
     Expand warfare missions supported by the JAX Range 
Complex; and
     Upgrade and modernize existing range capabilities to 
enhance and sustain Navy training and RDT&E.
    The need for the proposed action is to provide range capabilities 
for training and equipping combat-capable naval forces ready to deploy 
worldwide. In this regard, the JAX Range Complex furthers the Navy's 
execution of its Congressionally mandated roles and responsibilities 
under Title 10 U.S.C. Sec.  5062. To implement this Congressional 
mandate, the Navy needs to:
     Maintain current levels of military readiness by training 
in the JAX Range Complex;
     Accommodate future increases in operational training tempo 
in the JAX Range Complex and support the rapid deployment of naval 
units or strike groups;
     Achieve and sustain readiness of ships and squadrons so 
the Navy can quickly surge significant combat power in the event of a 
national crisis or contingency operation, and consistent with the FRTP;
     Support the acquisition and implementation into the Fleet 
of advanced military technology. The JAX Range Complex must adequately 
support the testing and training needed for new platforms (aircraft and 
weapons systems); and
     Maintain the long-term viability of the JAX Range Complex 
while protecting human health and the environment, and enhancing the 
quality and communication capability and safety of the range complex.
     Support to current, emerging, and future training and 
RDT&E operations, including implementation of range enhancements, 
entails the actions evaluated in the EIS/OEIS.
    These potentially include:
     Increase use of contractor-operated small aircraft that 
simulate enemy aircraft during training (Commercial Air Services 
Support for Fleet Opposition Forces and Electronic Warfare Threat 
Training);
     Increase anti-piracy and maritime interdiction training 
(Anti-terrorism Surface Strike Group Training);
     Support MH-60R helicopter warfare mission areas, and 
Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft training operations; and
     Conduct mine warfare training using a temporary mine 
training area.
    The proposed action is to support and conduct current and emerging 
training and RDT&E operations in the JAX Range Complex. To achieve 
this, the Navy proposes to:
     Maintain training and RDT&E operations at current levels 
if the No Action Alternative is selected.
    If either Alternative 1 or Alternative 2 is selected, then:
     Increase or modify training and RDT&E operations from 
current levels as necessary in support of the FRTP.
     Accommodate mission requirements associated with force 
structure changes, including those resulting from the introduction of 
new platforms (aircraft, and weapons systems).
     Implement enhanced range complex capabilities.
    The decision to be made by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy 
(Installations & Environment) is to determine which alternative 
analyzed in the EIS/OEIS satisfies both the level and mix of training 
to be conducted and the range capabilities enhancements to be made 
within the JAX Range Complex that best meet the needs of the Navy given 
that all reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts have been 
considered.
    Three alternatives were evaluated in the EIS/OEIS to ensure they 
met the purpose and need, giving due consideration to range complex 
attributes such as: The capability to support current and emerging 
Fleet tactical training and RDT&E requirements; the capability to 
support realistic, essential training at the level and frequency 
sufficient to support the FRTP; and the capability to support training 
requirements while following Navy Personnel Tempo of Operations 
guidelines. These alternatives include:
    1. The No Action Alternative--Current Operations to include surge 
consistent with the FRTP;
    2. Alternative 1--No Action Alternative plus: increase Operational 
Training, Expand Warfare Missions, Accommodate Force Structure Changes 
(includes changing weapon systems and platforms and homebasing new 
aircraft and ships), and implement enhancements, to the minimal extent 
possible to meet the components of the proposed action. This 
alternative is composed of all operations currently conducted (No 
Action Alternative) with modifications to current training or

[[Page 36497]]

introduction of new training. These would include: (a) Using more 
commercial aircraft to serve as oppositional forces rather than using 
Navy aircraft for Air-to-Air Missile Exercise, Surface-to-Air Gunnery 
Exercises, Air Intercept Control Exercises, and Detect-to-Engage 
Exercises; (b) the incorporation of anti-terrorism training into 
existing training events; (c) adjusting training levels to ensure that 
deployment can be stepped up quickly and at multiple locations in 
response to world events; and (d) conducting new or modified training 
associated with the introduction of the new MH-60 helicopter, and new 
organic mine countermeasure systems; and
    3. Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative)--Alternative 1 plus: 
additional mine warfare training capabilities, and implementation of 
additional enhancements to enable the range complex to meet future 
requirements.
    Three alternatives were considered but eliminated from further 
consideration. These alternatives are:
    1. Alternative Range Complex Locations--No single range complex on 
the East Coast can accommodate the entire spectrum of Navy and Marine 
Corps training and testing. To maintain a high level of combat 
readiness for naval forces at best value to the U.S. taxpayer, the Navy 
and Marine Corps homeported their forces in multiple concentration 
areas rather than a single area, in part to ensure the surrounding 
training and testing areas could support their specific needs. The 
result is a system of range complexes, each optimized to support the 
limited set of warfare areas that predominate in that locale. The JAX 
Range Complex possesses a number of historical and natural features 
that make it an indispensable component of the Navy's East Coast system 
of ranges. The JAX Range Complex is a vital component of the Atlantic 
Fleet system of range complexes, necessary and critical to ensure that 
naval forces are prepared and certified ready for overseas deployment 
and combat operations. Other locations do not provide reasonable 
alternatives for required training purposes/activities described above, 
and as a result, alternative training locations were eliminated from 
further consideration.
    2. Conduct Simulated Training Only--Under this alternative, only 
simulated training would be conducted using computer models and 
classroom training. While computer simulation and classroom training 
are currently used by the Navy and effective training tools, they 
cannot exclusively replace live training because they do not replicate 
the atmosphere or experience that live training provides. Simulation 
cannot replicate the environment that is provided during coordinated 
training and major exercises, where multiple ships, submarines and 
aircraft, and hundreds or thousands of men and women are participating 
in training activities in a coordinated fashion to accomplish a common 
military objective. Because of the need to train as we fight, this 
alternative would fail to meet the purpose and need of the proposed 
action in that it would not sufficiently prepare our naval forces for 
combat. Therefore, this alternative is not evaluated in the EIS/OEIS.
    3. Practice Ammunition Use--An alternative that would rely entirely 
on inert, practice ammunition use within the JAX Range Complex would 
not achieve the necessary levels of proficiency in firing weapons in a 
high stress and realistic environment. Inert, practice ammunition is 
utilized throughout the JAX Range Complex, and provides opportunity to 
implement a successful, integrated training program while reducing the 
risk and expense typically associated with live ammunition. As such, 
practice ammunition is already utilized extensively to enhance combat 
performance in the Navy's training program. However, while it is an 
essential component of training, practice ammunition cannot be used 
exclusively to train safely in an inherently unsafe combat environment. 
Consequently, this alternative fails to meet the purpose and need of 
the proposed action. Therefore, this alternative was not carried 
forward for analysis.
    Twenty resources and issues were described and analyzed in the EIS/
OEIS. These include but are not limited to water resources, air 
quality, marine communities, marine mammals, sea turtles, fish and 
essential fish habitat, seabirds and migratory birds, cultural 
resources, regional economy, and public health and safety. The Navy 
used subject matter experts, public and agency scoping comments, 
previous environmental analyses, previous agency consultations, laws, 
regulations, Executive Orders and resource-specific information in a 
screening process to identify aspects of the proposed action that could 
act as stressors to resources and issues evaluated in the EIS/OEIS.
    The stressors considered for analysis of environmental consequences 
include but are not limited to vessel movements (disturbance and 
collisions), aircraft overflights (disturbance and strikes), non-
explosive practice munitions, and underwater detonations and high 
explosive ordnance.
    In accordance with 50 CFR Sec.  401.12, the Navy submitted a 
Biological Evaluation to assess the potential effects from the proposed 
action on marine resources and anadromous fish protected by the NMFS 
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In accordance with the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act MMPA (16 U.S.C. Sec.  1371[a][5]), the Navy 
submitted a request for Letter of Authorization to the NMFS for the 
incidental taking of marine mammals by the proposed action which was 
acknowledged by NMFS in a Notice of Receipt published in the Federal 
Register (Vol. 73, No. 72, pp. 20032-20034) on April 14, 2008.
    The Navy submitted a Consultation Package in accordance with legal 
requirements set forth under regulations implementing section 7 of the 
ESA (50 CFR 402; 16 U.S.C 1536(c)) for listed species under 
jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The analysis of 
environmental stressors indicated that implementation of the No Action 
Alternative, Alternative 1, or Alternative 2 would not result in 
unavoidable significant adverse effects to resources analyzed. The 
analysis of environmental stressors and alternatives indicated no 
significant impact to resources in U.S. territorial waters; likewise, 
no significant harm in non-territorial waters are expected.
    The JAX Draft EIS/OEIS was distributed to Federal, State, and local 
agencies, elected officials, and other interested individuals and 
organizations on June 27, 2008. The public comment period will end on 
August 11, 2008. Copies of the JAX Draft EIS/OEIS are available for 
public review at the following libraries: Charleston County Library, 68 
Calhoun Street; Charleston, SC; Beaufort County Public Library, 311 
Scott Street, Beaufort, SC; Live Oak Public Libraries, 2002 Bull 
Street, Savannah, GA; Three Rivers Regional Library System, 208 
Gloucester Street, Brunswick, GA; Jacksonville Public Library, 303 
North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL; Polk County Library Cooperative, 
215 South Bougainvillea Avenue, Polk City, FL; and Marion County Public 
Library, 2720 East Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, FL.
    The JAX Draft EIS/OEIS is also available for electronic public 
viewing at http://www.jacksonvillerangecomplexeis.com. A paper copy of 
the Executive Summary or a single CD with the JAX Draft EIS/OEIS will 
be made available upon written request by contacting Naval Facilities 
Engineering Command,

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Atlantic Division; Attention: Code EV22CM (JAX EIS/OEIS PM); 6506 
Hampton Blvd.; Norfolk, VA 23508-1278. Facsimile: 757-322-4894. 
Federal, State, and local agencies and interested parties are invited 
to be present or represented at the public hearing. Written comments 
can also be submitted during the open house sessions preceding the 
public hearings.
    Oral statements will be heard and transcribed by a stenographer; 
however, to ensure the accuracy of the record, all statements should be 
submitted in writing. All statements, both oral and written, will 
become part of the public record on the Draft EIS/OEIS and will be 
responded to in the Final EIS/OEIS. Equal weight will be given to both 
oral and written statements. In the interest of available time, and to 
ensure all who wish to give an oral statement have the opportunity to 
do so, each speaker's comments will be limited to three (3) minutes. If 
a long statement is to be presented, it should be summarized at the 
public hearing with the full text submitted either in writing at the 
hearing, or mailed or faxed to Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 
Atlantic Division; Attention: Code EV22CM (JAX EIS/OEIS PM); 6506 
Hampton Blvd.; Norfolk, VA 23508-1278. Facsimile: 757-322-4894. In 
addition, comments may be submitted on-line at http://www.jacksonvillerangecomplexeis.com during the comment period. All 
written comments must be postmarked by August 11, 2008 to ensure they 
become part of the official record. All comments will be addressed in 
the Final EIS/OEIS.

    Dated: June 23, 2008.
T.M. Cruz,
Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register 
Liaison Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-14541 Filed 6-26-08; 8:45 am]
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