[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 39000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15400]



[[Page 39000]]

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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, and Executive Order (EO) 12114, Environmental 
Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, the Department of the Navy 
(DON) gives notice that a combined Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI)/Finding of No Significant Harm (FONSH) has been issued and is 
available for Carrier Strike Group Joint Task Force Exercise (CSG 
JTFEX) July 2008.

DATES: The effective date of the finding is July 2, 2008.

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

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CSG JTFEX (July 2008) is a major Navy 
Atlantic Fleet training exercise proposed to occur in July 2008 in the 
offshore Charleston and 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 (ATG) bombing at land ranges, Combat 
Search and Rescue (CSAR), Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Naval 
Gunfire using non-explosive ordnance, Fast Attack Craft/Fast Inshore 
Attack Craft (FAC/FIAC), and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), 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. (February 2006). The 
FONSH is based on analysis contained in a Comprehensive Overseas 
Environmental Assessment (OEA) (February 2006) and a 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. (April 2008).
    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 EA and OEA 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.
    This action includes mitigation measures to reduce impacts to a 
level that is less than significant. In accordance with 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 CSG JTFEX in July 2008 will not 
significantly impact or harm the environment and, therefore, an 
Environmental Impact Statement or Overseas Environmental Impact 
Statement is not required.

    Dated: July 1, 2008.
T. M. Cruz,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-15400 Filed 7-7-08; 8:45 am]
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