[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 79060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30671]



[[Page 79060]]

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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 the January 2009 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike 
Group Composite Training Exercise (IKE CSG COMPTUEX).

DATES: The effective date of the finding is December 18, 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 http://www.navydocuments.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IKE CSG COMPTUEX is a major U.S Navy 
Atlantic Fleet training exercise proposed to occur in January 2009. The 
purpose of this exercise is to certify U.S. Naval forces as combat-
ready. Specific training activities associated with the IKE CSG 
COMPTUEX include air-to-ground (ATG) bombing, Combat Search and Rescue 
(CSAR), Maritime Operations, Inert Naval Gunfire, Fast Attack Craft/
Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FAC/FIAC), and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).
    The FONSI is based on analysis contained in a Comprehensive 
Environmental Assessment (EA) addressing potential 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 environmental analysis contained in a Comprehensive Overseas 
Environmental Assessment (OEA) (February 2006) and a Supplement to the 
Comprehensive OEA (SOEA) for environmental impacts associated with U.S. 
Navy 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 include 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. Both the EA 
and OEA addressed potential impacts to the ocean physical environment, 
fish and essential fish habitat, sea turtles, marine mammals, seabirds, 
migratory birds, endangered and threatened species, socioeconomics, and 
cultural resources. The SOEA analysis included the use of MFA sonar 
during the January 2009 IKE CSG COMPTUEX.
    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, OEA and SOEA, and an evaluation of 
the nature, scope, and intensity of the proposed action, the Navy finds 
the January 2009 IKE CSG COMPTUEX will not significantly impact or harm 
the environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement or 
Overseas Environmental Impact Statement is not required.

    Dated: December 19, 2008.
T. M. Cruz,
Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-30671 Filed 12-23-08; 8:45 am]
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