[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 123 (Monday, June 26, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39373-39374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16116]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Introduction of the Atlantic Fleet F/A-18 E/F Aircraft on the East 
Coast of the United States and To Announce Public Scoping Meetings

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DOD.

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the 
Department of the Navy (Navy) announces its intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential 
environmental consequences of the introduction of the Atlantic Fleet F/
A-18 E/F aircraft on the East Coast of the United States.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: Public scoping open houses will be held to receive 
oral and/or written comments on environmental concerns that should be 
addressed in the EIS. Public scoping open houses will be held from 4 
p.m. to 9 p.m. at the following dates and locations: July 12, 2000 in 
the Best Inn, State Highway 57, Exit 58 on I-95, Townsend, Georgia; 
July 13, 2000 in the Robert Smalls Middle School, 43 W.K. Austin Drive, 
Beaufort, South Carolina; July 18, 2000 in the Havelock Middle School, 
102 High School Drive, Havelock, North Carolina; July 19, 2000 in the 
Pamlico County Primary School, 323 Neals Creek Road, Bayboro, North 
Carolina; July 25, 2000 in the Strawbridge Elementary School, 2553 
Strawbridge Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia; July 26, 2000 in the Butts 
Road Intermediate School, 1571 Mt. Pleasant Road, Chesapeake, Virginia; 
and July 27, 2000 in the Comfort Inn, 8031 Oregon Inlet Road, Nags 
Head, North Carolina.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dan Cecchini (Code 2032), Atlantic 
Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 1510 Gilbert Street, 
Norfolk, Virginia 23511; telephone (757) 322-4887, fax (757) 322-4984.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the NEPA of 
1969, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Navy announces its intent to 
prepare an EIS to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of 
the introduction of the Atlantic Fleet F/A-18 E/F aircraft on the East 
Coast of the United States.
    The Navy has decided to purchase F/A-18 E/F aircraft because of its 
improved capabilities over earlier aircraft models. It is designed to 
fly farther and carry a heavier payload, which will make it a more 
effective tool for national defense. An EIS and Record of Decision 
(ROD) were completed in 1998 for the introduction of F/A-18 E/F 
aircraft on the West Coast. In 1999, the Navy began a phase-in of the 
F/A-18 E/F aircraft to NAS Lemoore, California. Introduction of the F/
A-18 E/F aircraft in the Atlantic fleet area of responsibility will 
begin in 2004 and be completed by 2008.
    The EIS will address the environmental impacts associated with 
basing and operation of the Atlantic fleet F/A-18 E/F aircraft on the 
East Coast, retirement of existing F-14 aircraft and earlier F/A-18 
models, and new construction and/or renovation of buildings and other 
support facilities. In addition, the EIS will assess impacts on each 
local community and economy associated with relocation of military 
personnel to the area to support the operation and maintenance of the 
E/F squadrons.
    The Navy is currently evaluating East Coast installations to 
develop reasonable F/A-18 E/F siting alternatives. To date, four Navy 
and Marine Corps air stations have been identified as potential 
receiving sites: Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South 
Carolina; MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina; Naval Air Station (NAS) 
Oceana, Virginia; and NAS Meridian, Mississippi. Other siting 
alternatives are still being considered. The Navy's preferred 
alternative is to site all the Atlantic fleet F/A-18 E/F squadrons at 
one location; however, splitting the squadrons between two bases is not 
precluded.
    The Navy intends to analyze the potential environmental impacts of 
the

[[Page 39374]]

introduction of the Atlantic Fleet F/A-18 E/F aircraft on the 
environment. This includes, but is not limited to air quality, plant 
and animal habitats, and water resources, such as streams. It will also 
evaluate potential effects on the surrounding communities, including 
land use patterns, transportation, housing, and the regional economy. 
Further, the Navy will examine potential effects on existing airspace, 
training range use, and on aircraft noise exposure levels in and around 
the bases.
    The Navy is initiating a scoping process to identify community 
concerns and local issues that will be addressed in the EIS. Federal, 
state, and local agencies, and interested persons are encouraged to 
provide oral and/or written comments to the Navy to identify 
environmental concerns that should be addressed in the EIS. To be most 
helpful, scoping comments should clearly describe the specific issues 
or topics that the EIS should address.
    Written comments must be postmarked by September 8, 2000, and 
should be mailed to: Commander, Atlantic Division, Naval Facilities 
Engineering Command, 1510 Gilbert Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23511, 
Attn: Code 2032 (Mr. Dan Cecchini), telephone (757) 322-4887, fax (757) 
322-4984.

    Dated: June 21, 2000.
C.G. Carlson,
Major, U.S. Marine Corps, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-16116 Filed 6-23-00; 8:45 am]
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