[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 224 (Monday, November 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 61141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28042]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of the Record of Decision for the West Coast Basing of the 
MV-22 Aircraft

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of Record of Decision.

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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.) Section 
4332(2)(c), the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality 
(CEQ) for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of 
Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy 
NEPA regulations (32 CFR part 775), and the Marine Corps Environmental 
Compliance and Protection Manual, which is Marine Corps Order P5090.2A 
w/change 2 (MCO P5090.2A), the Department of the Navy (DON) announces 
its decision to introduce up to ten MV-22 squadrons (120 aircraft) on 
the West Coast and replace nine helicopter squadrons (114 aircraft) 
currently authorized for basing on the West Coast as part of a U.S. 
Marine Corps (USMC)-wide process of replacing its aging fleet of 
medium-lift helicopters with more advanced, operationally-capable 
aircraft.
    More specifically, this action will include: (1) Basing up to eight 
MV-22 squadrons at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, in San 
Diego, California, and up to two MV-22 squadrons at MCAS Camp 
Pendleton, north of San Diego. The total of 10 squadrons will consist 
of eight squadrons for employment by the Third Marine Aircraft Wing (3D 
MAW) to provide medium-lift capability to I Marine Expeditionary Force 
(I MEF) and two squadrons to provide a West Coast reserve component 
medium-lift capability; (2) constructing and/or renovating airfield 
facilities at MCAS Miramar and MCAS Camp Pendleton to accommodate and 
maintain the MV-22 squadrons; and (3) conducting MV-22 readiness and 
training operations and special exercise operations to attain and 
maintain proficiency in the operational employment of the MV-22. 
Implementation of this action will be accomplished as set out in the 
Preferred Alternative and described in the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (Final EIS) of October 2009.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The complete text of the Record of Decision 
is available for public viewing on the project Web site at http://www.mv22eiswest.net/along with copies of the Final EIS and supporting 
documents. For further information, contact Homebasing EIS Project 
Manager, 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, California 92132-5190. 
Telephone: 619-532-4742.

    Dated: November 18, 2009.
A.M. Vallandingham,
Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-28042 Filed 11-20-09; 8:45 am]
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