[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 22 (Friday, February 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7416-7418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02176]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Land-Water Interface and Service Pier Extension, Naval Base Kitsap 
Bangor, Silverdale, WA and To Announce Public Scoping Meetings

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 regulations implemented by the 
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the 
Department of the Navy (DoN) announces its intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential 
environmental impacts associated with two actions: (1) The proposed 
construction and operation of Land-Water Interface (LWI) structures and 
(2) the proposed construction and operation of a Service Pier Extension 
(SPE) on Naval Base (NAVBASE) Kitsap Bangor.
    The DoN proposes two projects on NAVBASE Kitsap Bangor waterfront 
to: (1) Comply with Department of Defense (DoD) directives to protect 
Navy OHIO Class ballistic missile submarines (TRIDENT submarines) from 
increased and evolving threats and to prevent the seizure, damage, or 
destruction of military assets and (2) eliminate deployment constraints 
and improve maintenance of SEAWOLF Class submarines.
    The first proposed action includes constructing two LWI structures 
and modifying the existing floating Port Security Barrier (PSB) system 
for improved protection of TRIDENT submarines. Construction of the LWI 
structures would enclose the Navy Waterfront Restricted Area (WRA) on 
NAVBASE Kitsap Bangor by constructing security barriers in the 
intertidal zone at the Bangor waterfront. Construction is anticipated 
to take two years. Construction activities occurring in the water 
during the first year may involve pile driving and would be conducted 
July 2015 through February 2016. Once the pile driving is complete, 
activities other than pile driving may occur in the water up until 
February 2017.
    The second proposed action would relocate SEAWOLF Class submarines 
SSN-21 (SEAWOLF) and SSN-22 (CONNECTICUT) from NAVBASE Kitsap Bremerton 
to join SSN-23 (JIMMY CARTER) at NAVBASE Kitsap Bangor. The existing 
Service Pier would be extended and land based associated support 
facilities would be constructed including a Maintenance Support 
Facility, and utility upgrades including an emergency power generator, 
and a parking lot. Shore based facilities constructed on the pier would 
include a Pier Services and Compressor Building and a pier crane. 
Construction would occur from April 2015 to March 2017. Construction in 
the water is planned for July through February of each year, beginning 
in July 2015 and concluding in February 2017. The relocation would 
result in the consolidation of berthing and support for the SEAWOLF 
Class submarines at NAVBASE Kitsap Bangor.
    NAVBASE Kitsap is the action proponent. The LWI construction and 
PSB modifications are for the DoN's Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), 
which directs research, development, manufacturing, test, evaluation, 
and operational support of the TRIDENT

[[Page 7417]]

program. The SPE and supporting facilities are for Commander, Submarine 
Development Squadron Five (CSDS-5). CSDS-5 is the Immediate Superior in 
Command for all three SEAWOLF Class submarines and four DoN research, 
development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) detachments based at NAVBASE 
Kitsap Bangor.
    The DoN is the lead federal agency for this action. The DoN is 
requesting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Marine 
Fisheries Service to be Cooperating Agencies. The DoN will hold public 
scoping meetings to receive oral and/or written comments on 
environmental concerns related to the proposed actions, to determine 
the scope of issues to address in the Draft EIS, and to identify and 
refine alternatives to the proposed actions. Federal, state, and local 
agencies, American Indian tribes, and the public are invited to 
participate in the scoping process.
    The public scoping meetings will be conducted in English and will 
be arranged in an informal, open-house format. Attendees will be 
provided the opportunity to sign in and then visit various stations 
hosted by DoN representatives and technical staff assigned to provide 
information and answer questions. Several large display boards will be 
located throughout the meeting locations to assist attendees in 
understanding the proposed actions and the alternatives. Fact sheets 
about the proposed actions and alternatives will be available to 
attendees. A comment table with comment sheets will be placed in an 
easily accessible location.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: The public scoping meetings will be held on the 
following dates and locations:
    1. February 20, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Chimacum 
High School Commons, 91 West Valley Road, Chimacum, WA 98325; and
    2. February 21, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the North 
Kitsap High School Commons, 1780 Northeast Hostmark Street, Poulsbo, WA 
98370.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naval Facilities Engineering Command 
Northwest, Attn: Thomas Dildine, LWI/SPE EIS Project Manager, 1101 
Tautog Circle, Silverdale, WA 98315-1101, Email: [email protected], 
Phone: 360-396-6387, or Web site: https://www.nbkeis.com/lwi/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the LWI project is to (1) 
comply with DoD directives to protect TRIDENT submarines from increased 
and evolving threats and to prevent the seizure, damage, or destruction 
of military assets. The purpose of the SPE project is to eliminate 
deployment constraints and improve maintenance of SEAWOLF Class 
submarines.
    The need for the LWI is to:
     Enhance security within the WRA. Protection of strategic 
military assets is a vital national security concern. Aggressive 
security improvements within the DoN pre-date the USS Cole incident and 
the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and continue today.
    The need for the SPE is to:
     Remove restrictions on navigating SEAWOLF Class submarines 
through Rich Passage under certain tidal conditions;
     Improve long-term operational effectiveness for the three 
SEAWOLF Class submarines at NAVBASE Kitsap Bangor;
     Provide berthing and logistical support at the DoN's 
submarine RDT&E hub, which is located on NAVBASE Kitsap Bangor; and
     Improve submarine crew training and readiness through co-
location of the SEAWOLF Class submarines and crew with command 
functions at NAVBASE Kitsap Bangor submarine training center.
    The LWI and SPE are related actions due to their proximity, 
anticipated timing of construction, and potential to affect similar 
resources, but are not connected projects because each proposed action 
would function independently. While independent in function, the 
projects may have the potential to affect related resources, so the DoN 
has chosen to analyze both projects in a single EIS.
    The EIS must evaluate reasonable alternatives in accordance with 
the CEQ regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Sec.  
1502.14) and DoN regulations (32 CFR Part 775) that implement the NEPA. 
Alternatives for the proposed action were identified based on security 
and program requirements, avoiding or minimizing environmental impacts, 
and compatibility with existing facilities, infrastructure, and 
operational missions.
    The DoN is considering the following alternatives to satisfy each 
purpose and need:
    (i) LWI Alternative 1 (No Action)--Under the No Action Alternative, 
the DoN would not build the LWI and associated PSB modifications. DoD 
and DoN security requirements for the TRIDENT program would not be met.
    (ii) LWI Alternative 2 (Pile-Supported Pier and PSB Modification)--
Under this alternative, the LWI structure would include two pile-
supported piers built from shoreline abutments to connect with the 
existing PSB system at the north and south sides of the NAVBASE Kitsap 
Bangor WRA. Each pier would connect to a solid concrete abutment to be 
constructed on the shore, and an anchoring structure for the PSBs to be 
installed at the seaward end of each pier. The LWI pier structure would 
be 280 feet long at the northern location and 730 feet long at the 
southern location. The piers would be supported by up to fifty-four 24-
inch diameter steel piles at the northern location and up to eighty-two 
24-inch diameter steel piles at the southern location. A fence would be 
installed along the length of the piers, five 30 foot tall towers would 
be installed on the piers to support lights and cameras, and a mesh/
grate with sensors would extend from the bottom of the pier walkway to 
the seafloor.
    (iii) LWI Alternative 3 (Port Security Barrier Modification)--This 
alternative, the DoN would build the LWI using PSBs instead of a pile 
supported pier. The LWI structures would consist of modifying and 
lengthening the existing PSBs at the same north and south locations as 
the pile supported pier alternative. The PSB sections would be 280 feet 
long at the northern location and 730 feet long at the southern 
location. The existing PSB system would be modified and lengthened to 
extend across the intertidal zone and would attach to shoreline 
abutments. Two solid concrete abutments would be constructed at the 
shore end of the north and south location to form a secure barrier from 
the bluff to the intertidal zone. Three 30 foot tall in-water towers 
would be installed to support lights and security equipment. The in-
water towers would each be supported by a platform resting on four 24 
inch piles. Two additional 30 foot tall towers would be installed on 
land.
    (iv) SPE Alternative 1 (No Action)--The DoN would not consolidate 
SEAWOLF berthing and support services. The SEAWOLF Class submarines 
would continue to have reduced operational availability (due to tide 
windows limiting safe navigation through Rich Passage) and the long-
term operations and maintenance efficiency and effectiveness resulting 
from consolidation of SEAWOLF Class submarines in one location would 
not occur.
    (v) SPE Alternative 2 (Short Pier Configuration) The DoN would 
consolidate SEAWOLF Class submarines on NAVBASE Kitsap Bangor and build 
and operate the SPE proposed action using a side by side submarine 
mooring configuration. The proposed new facilities associated with this 
option include a 600-lineal-foot SPE, a 3,100-square-foot Pier Services 
and Compressor Building, a pier crane, a

[[Page 7418]]

50,000-square-foot shoreside Maintenance Support Facility, and a 
shoreside emergency diesel generator facility. The new Maintenance 
Support Facility would be built within an existing parking lot. To 
support additional personnel, a 6-acre upland parking lot and lay down 
area would be constructed near the proposed Maintenance Support 
Facility. The SPE would be supported by approximately 320 steel piles.
    (vi) SPE Alternative 3 (Long Pier Configuration)--The DoN would 
consolidate SEAWOLF Class submarines on NAVBASE Kitsap Bangor and build 
and operate the SPE proposed action using an in-line berth submarine 
mooring configuration. The proposed new facilities associated with this 
option include a 1,200-lineal-foot SPE, a 3,100-square-foot Pier 
Services and Compressor Building, a pier crane, a 50,000-square-foot 
shoreside Maintenance Support Facility, and a shoreside emergency 
diesel generator facility. The new Maintenance Support Facility would 
be built within an existing parking lot. To support additional 
personnel, a 6-acre upland parking lot and lay down area would be 
constructed near the proposed Maintenance Support Facility. The SPE 
would be supported by approximately 700 steel piles.
    The proposed actions will be designed to minimize environmental 
impacts to the extent practicable. Project details including 
construction methods, schedule, operations, and maintenance, will be 
developed during the design process and analyzed in the Draft EIS.
    No decision will be made to implement any alternative until the EIS 
process is completed and a Record of Decision is signed by the acting 
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, 
Installations, and Environment).
    The impacts to be evaluated include, but will not be limited to, 
effects on federally listed threatened and endangered species and 
critical habitat, impacts relating to underwater noise and airborne 
noise from pile driving and other actions, loss of eelgrass and other 
marine habitat, decreased opportunities for migratory and transient 
movement of fish and wildlife within the waterfront, reduction in water 
quality, effects on littoral drift (shoreline sediment movement), and 
effects on tribal resources.
    The analysis will include an evaluation of direct, indirect, short-
term, and long-term impacts of construction and operation of each 
project as well as cumulative impacts from other DoN and non-DoN 
activities in the project area.
    The DoN is initiating the scoping process to identify community 
concerns and local issues to be addressed in the EIS. Federal, state, 
and local agencies, American Indian tribes, and interested persons are 
encouraged to provide written comments at scheduled public scoping 
meetings. All written statements will become part of the public record 
and will be responded to in the Draft EIS.
    Written comments should be mailed to Naval Facilities Engineering 
Command Northwest, 1101 Tautog Circle, Silverdale, WA 98315-1101, 
Attention: Thomas Dildine, LWI/SPE EIS Project Manager. Comments may 
also be submitted online at https://www.nbkeis.com/lwi/ during the 
comment period. All comments must be received by March 17, 2013 to 
ensure they become part of the official record.

    Dated: January 28, 2013.
C.K. Chiappetta,
Lieutenant Commander, Office of the Judge Advocate General U.S. Navy, 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013-02176 Filed 1-31-13; 8:45 am]
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