81 FR 58919 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and To Announce Public Scoping Meetings for the Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization: Expansion of Land Ranges, Airspace Modifications, and Public Land Withdrawal Renewal
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 166 (August 26, 2016)
Department of the Navy
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 166 (August 26, 2016)
| Page Range | 58919-58920 | |
| FR Document | 2016-20502 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 58919-58920] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-20502] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and To Announce Public Scoping Meetings for the Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization: Expansion of Land Ranges, Airspace Modifications, and Public Land Withdrawal Renewal AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy (DoN) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential environmental consequences of maintaining and modernizing the Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) in Nevada, which would include land range expansion through additional land withdrawal and land acquisition, airspace modifications, and public land withdrawal renewal. The Navy's action proponent for this proposal is Commander, United States Pacific Fleet (PACFLT). The Bureau of Land Management, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service will participate as cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS. DATES AND ADDRESSES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for public scoping meeting dates, times, and addresses. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest; Attention: Amy P. Kelley, Code EV21.AK; 1220 Pacific Highway; Building 1, 5th Floor; San Diego, California 92132. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since the initial operation of Naval Air Station Fallon in the 1940s and the formal establishment of the FRTC in 1977, the ranges and airspace of the FRTC have been extensively used by the DoN and other Services to conduct air warfare and ground training, including live-fire training activities. The FRTC is the DoN's premier integrated strike warfare training complex, supporting combat elements of PACFLT, United State (U.S.) Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Marine Corps, Naval Special Warfare Command, and others. It is located in the high desert of northern Nevada, 65 miles east of the city of Reno, Nevada, and is comprised of: Special Use Airspace (SUA), including restricted areas, Military Operations Areas (MOAs), and Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAAs); land training ranges; fixed and mobile land targets, and control facilities; threat electronic warfare, early warning radars, and surface-to-air missile systems; and instrumentation facilities. The current FRTC bombing ranges (B-16, B-17, B-19, and B-20) have not changed substantially in size or configuration since the 1990s. However, warfare technology, to include dynamic improvements to stand- off weapons, platform sensors, threat systems, and strike tactics, and the accuracy of applications that produce and manage safety footprints for air-to-ground weapons training, have continued to evolve. In response to these changes, and to formalize FRTC training requirements, the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (the DoN's primary authority on naval aviation training and tactics development), together with subject matter training experts from the Naval Special Warfare Command, conducted a training capabilities study. This study analyzed the capabilities that should be provided at the FRTC to meet evolving DoN training needs in air warfare, strike warfare, and Naval special warfare. It concluded that training capabilities currently available at the FRTC do not, and will not, meet the real-world training needs identified by Fleet and Unified Commanders. Therefore, to minimize the identified shortcomings and provide the responsive and realistic training capabilities needed to meet evolving aviation and ground training requirements, PACFLT proposes to maintain and modernize the capabilities of the FRTC, including its land ranges, airspace, and infrastructure. The proposed modernization would have the benefit of maintaining and enhancing the safety and security of local and regional populations and infrastructure. PACFLT's proposed action includes the renewal of the existing 202,859-acre public land withdrawal that expires on November 6, 2021; the withdrawal and reservation for military use of approximately 604,744 acres of additional public land to expand existing land ranges; acquisition of approximately 65,160 acres of non- [[Page 58920]] federal land to expand existing land ranges; expansion of associated SUA, as well as reconfiguration of existing airspace; and modification of range infrastructure to support expansion and modernization. The aviation and ground training to be conducted in the modernized FRTC would be of the same general types and at the same tempos as analyzed by PACFLT in Alternative 2 of the Final EIS for Military Readiness Activities at Fallon Range Training Complex, Nevada (December 2015). Specific details concerning the proposed land expansion and SUA reconfiguration may be found on the project Web site at www.FRTCModernization.com. The EIS will also assess the potential environmental effects of the no action alternative. Under the no action alternative, there would be no renewal of the existing land withdrawal, which expires on November 6, 2021, and there would be no range expansion, airspace changes, or modification of range infrastructure. As a result, the DoN would reassess the military mission of NAS Fallon and the FRTC. In addition to the proposed action and the no action alternative, the EIS will also assess the potential environmental effects of other action alternatives. Public comments submitted during the scoping process will inform PACFLT's development of other action alternatives for analysis in the EIS. Federal agencies, state agencies, local agencies, Native American Tribes and Nations, and interested persons are encouraged to provide comments to PACFLT to identify specific community interests, issues, or topics of environmental concern that PACFLT should consider in the EIS. Resource areas to be addressed in the EIS will include soils; air quality/climate; water quality; airborne noise; biological resources; land use and recreation; socioeconomics, environmental justice, and the protection of children; transportation; cultural resources; Native American traditional resources; and public health and safety. The public scoping process starts with the publication of this Notice of Intent. Seven open house information sessions are scheduled to receive oral or written comments on issues to be addressed in the EIS: 1. Monday, October 3, 2016, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Fallon Convention Center, 100 Campus Way, Fallon, NV 89406. 2. Tuesday, October 4, 2016, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Pershing County Community Center, 820 6th Street, Lovelock, NV 89419. 3. Tuesday, October 4, 2016, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center, 1301 Valley Road, Reno, NV 89512. 4. Wednesday, October 5, 2016, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Emma Nevada Town Hall, 135 Court Street, Austin, NV 89310. 5. Thursday, October 6, 2016, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Eureka Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room, 431 McCoy Street, Eureka, NV 89316. 6. Friday, October 7, 2016, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Hawthorne Convention Center, 950 E Street, Hawthorne, NV 89415. 7. Friday, October 7, 2016, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Gabbs School Gymnasium, 511 E Avenue, Gabbs, NV 89409. Each of the seven information sessions will begin with a brief presentation about the project, followed by an open house with information stations staffed by PACFLT and DoN representatives. Additional information concerning each open house, as well as further project information, is available on the EIS Web page: http://www.FRTCModernization.com. All comments, provided orally or in writing at the scoping meetings, or submitted via the project Web site or the U.S. Postal Service will be taken into consideration during EIS preparation. All comments must be postmarked or received online no later than November 25, 2016. Comments should be mailed to: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest; Attention: Amy P. Kelley, Code EV21.AK; 1220 Pacific Highway; Building 1, 5th Floor; San Diego, California 92132. Dated: August 18, 2016. C. Pan, Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2016-20502 Filed 8-25-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2016 / Notices 58919
collection. Comments received generally Dated: August 22, 2016. DoN’s premier integrated strike warfare
will be posted without change to http:// Lorin S. Curit, training complex, supporting combat
www.regulations.gov, including any Director, Federal Acquisition Policy Division, elements of PACFLT, United State (U.S.)
personal and/or business confidential Office of Governmentwide Acquisition Policy, Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Marine
information provided. To confirm Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Corps, Naval Special Warfare
receipt of your comment(s), please Governmentwide Policy. Command, and others. It is located in
check www.regulations.gov, [FR Doc. 2016–20431 Filed 8–25–16; 8:45 am] the high desert of northern Nevada, 65
approximately two to three days after BILLING CODE 6820–EP–P miles east of the city of Reno, Nevada,
submission to verify posting (except and is comprised of: Special Use
allow 30 days for posting of comments Airspace (SUA), including restricted
submitted by mail). DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE areas, Military Operations Areas
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. (MOAs), and Air Traffic Control
Department of the Navy Assigned Airspace (ATCAAs); land
Cecelia L. Davis, Procurement Analyst,
Office of Governmentwide Acquisition training ranges; fixed and mobile land
Notice of Intent To Prepare an targets, and control facilities; threat
Policy, GSA, 202–219–0202 or email Environmental Impact Statement and
cecelia.davis@gsa.gov. electronic warfare, early warning radars,
To Announce Public Scoping Meetings and surface-to-air missile systems; and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: for the Fallon Range Training Complex instrumentation facilities.
Modernization: Expansion of Land The current FRTC bombing ranges (B–
A. Purpose
Ranges, Airspace Modifications, and 16, B–17, B–19, and B–20) have not
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Public Land Withdrawal Renewal changed substantially in size or
52.203–7, Anti-Kickback Procedures, configuration since the 1990s. However,
requires that all contractors have in AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice. warfare technology, to include dynamic
place and follow reasonable procedures improvements to stand-off weapons,
designed to prevent and detect in its platform sensors, threat systems, and
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c)
own operations and direct business strike tactics, and the accuracy of
of the National Environmental Policy
relationships, violations of 41 U.S.C. applications that produce and manage
Act of 1969, as implemented by the
chapter 87, Kickbacks. Whenever prime safety footprints for air-to-ground
Council on Environmental Quality
contractors or subcontractors have weapons training, have continued to
Regulations (40 Code of Federal
reasonable grounds to believe that a evolve. In response to these changes,
Regulations parts 1500–1508), the
violation of the statute may have and to formalize FRTC training
Department of the Navy (DoN)
occurred, they are required to report the requirements, the Naval Aviation
announces its intent to prepare an
possible violation in writing to the Warfighting Development Center (the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
contracting agency inspector general, DoN’s primary authority on naval
to assess the potential environmental
the head of the contracting agency if an aviation training and tactics
consequences of maintaining and
agency does not have an inspector development), together with subject
modernizing the Fallon Range Training
general, or the Department of Justice. matter training experts from the Naval
Complex (FRTC) in Nevada, which
The information is used to determine if Special Warfare Command, conducted a
would include land range expansion
any violations of the statute have training capabilities study. This study
through additional land withdrawal and
occurred. analyzed the capabilities that should be
land acquisition, airspace modifications,
There is no Governmentwide data provided at the FRTC to meet evolving
and public land withdrawal renewal.
collection process or system which DoN training needs in air warfare, strike
The Navy’s action proponent for this
identifies the number of alleged warfare, and Naval special warfare. It
proposal is Commander, United States
violations of 41 U.S.C. chapter 87, concluded that training capabilities
Pacific Fleet (PACFLT). The Bureau of
Kickbacks that are reported annually to currently available at the FRTC do not,
Land Management, the Federal Aviation
agency inspectors general, the heads of and will not, meet the real-world
Administration, and the United States
the contracting agency if an agency does training needs identified by Fleet and
Fish and Wildlife Service will
not have an inspector general, or the Unified Commanders. Therefore, to
participate as cooperating agencies in
Department of Justice. minimize the identified shortcomings
the preparation of the EIS.
B. Annual Reporting Burden and provide the responsive and realistic
DATES AND ADDRESSES: See
training capabilities needed to meet
Respondents: 100. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for
evolving aviation and ground training
Responses per Respondent: 1. public scoping meeting dates, times,
requirements, PACFLT proposes to
Annual Responses: 100. and addresses.
maintain and modernize the capabilities
Hours per Response: 20. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: of the FRTC, including its land ranges,
Total Burden Hours: 2,000. Naval Facilities Engineering Command airspace, and infrastructure. The
Affected Public: Businesses or other Southwest; Attention: Amy P. Kelley, proposed modernization would have the
for-profit and not-for-profit institutions. Code EV21.AK; 1220 Pacific Highway; benefit of maintaining and enhancing
Frequency: On occasion. Building 1, 5th Floor; San Diego, the safety and security of local and
Obtaining Copies of Proposals: California 92132. regional populations and infrastructure.
Requesters may obtain a copy of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since the PACFLT’s proposed action includes
information collection documents from initial operation of Naval Air Station the renewal of the existing 202,859-acre
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
the General Services Administration, Fallon in the 1940s and the formal public land withdrawal that expires on
Regulatory Secretariat Division (MVCB), establishment of the FRTC in 1977, the November 6, 2021; the withdrawal and
1800 F Street Street NW., Washington, ranges and airspace of the FRTC have reservation for military use of
DC 20405, telephone 202–501–4755. been extensively used by the DoN and approximately 604,744 acres of
Please cite OMB Control No. 9000–0091, other Services to conduct air warfare additional public land to expand
Anti-Kickback Procedures, in all and ground training, including live-fire existing land ranges; acquisition of
correspondence. training activities. The FRTC is the approximately 65,160 acres of non-
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![58920 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2016 / Notices
federal land to expand existing land Community Center, 1301 Valley Road, Order 12114, the United States
ranges; expansion of associated SUA, as Reno, NV 89512. Department of the Navy (Navy) has
well as reconfiguration of existing 4. Wednesday, October 5, 2016, 5:00 prepared and filed with the United
airspace; and modification of range p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Emma Nevada Town States Environmental Protection Agency
infrastructure to support expansion and Hall, 135 Court Street, Austin, NV (USEPA) a Draft Supplemental
modernization. The aviation and ground 89310. Environmental Impact Statement/
training to be conducted in the 5. Thursday, October 6, 2016, 5:00 Supplemental Overseas Environmental
modernized FRTC would be of the same p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Eureka Elementary Impact Statement (Draft SEIS/SOEIS) for
general types and at the same tempos as School Multi-Purpose Room, 431 employment of SURTASS LFA sonar.
analyzed by PACFLT in Alternative 2 of McCoy Street, Eureka, NV 89316. DATES AND ADDRESSES: The public
the Final EIS for Military Readiness 6. Friday, October 7, 2016, 11:00 a.m. comment period for the SURTASS LFA
Activities at Fallon Range Training to 1:00 p.m., Hawthorne Convention sonar Draft SEIS/SOEIS will be open for
Complex, Nevada (December 2015). Center, 950 E Street, Hawthorne, NV 45 days, from August 26 to October 11,
Specific details concerning the 89415. 2016. The Final SEIS/SOEIS is expected
proposed land expansion and SUA 7. Friday, October 7, 2016, 5:00 p.m. to be completed by June 2017. Written
reconfiguration may be found on the to 7:00 p.m., Gabbs School Gymnasium, comments on the SURTASS LFA sonar
project Web site at 511 E Avenue, Gabbs, NV 89409. Draft SEIS/SOEIS may be submitted by
www.FRTCModernization.com. Each of the seven information mail to: SURTASS LFA sonar SEIS/
The EIS will also assess the potential sessions will begin with a brief SOEIS Program Manager, 4350 Fairfax
environmental effects of the no action presentation about the project, followed Drive, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22203–
alternative. Under the no action by an open house with information 1632, or by Email: eisteam@surtass-lfa-
alternative, there would be no renewal stations staffed by PACFLT and DoN eis.com. The Draft SEIS/SOEIS is
of the existing land withdrawal, which representatives. Additional information available for download via the project
expires on November 6, 2021, and there concerning each open house, as well as Web site: http://www.surtass-lfa-
would be no range expansion, airspace further project information, is available eis.com. Comments must be postmarked
changes, or modification of range on the EIS Web page: http:// or received by October 11, 2016, to
infrastructure. As a result, the DoN www.FRTCModernization.com. ensure they are considered in the Final
would reassess the military mission of All comments, provided orally or in SEIS/SOEIS.
NAS Fallon and the FRTC. writing at the scoping meetings, or FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
In addition to the proposed action and submitted via the project Web site or the
the no action alternative, the EIS will SURTASS LFA sonar SEIS/SOEIS
U.S. Postal Service will be taken into Program Manager, 4350 Fairfax Drive,
also assess the potential environmental consideration during EIS preparation.
effects of other action alternatives. Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22203–1632,
All comments must be postmarked or Email: eisteam@surtass-lfa-eis.com.
Public comments submitted during the received online no later than November
scoping process will inform PACFLT’s SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
25, 2016. Comments should be mailed
development of other action alternatives continuance of the Navy’s commitment
to: Naval Facilities Engineering
for analysis in the EIS. to responsible stewardship of the
Command Southwest; Attention: Amy
Federal agencies, state agencies, local marine environment and building upon
P. Kelley, Code EV21.AK; 1220 Pacific
agencies, Native American Tribes and analyses and information included in
Highway; Building 1, 5th Floor; San
Nations, and interested persons are the Navy’s 2001 Final Overseas
Diego, California 92132.
encouraged to provide comments to Environmental Impact Statement/
PACFLT to identify specific community Dated: August 18, 2016. Environmental Impact Statement (OEIS/
interests, issues, or topics of C. Pan, EIS) published in the Federal Register
environmental concern that PACFLT Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, on January 26, 2001 (66 FR 8788), 2007
should consider in the EIS. Resource U.S. Navy, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Final Supplemental EIS (SEIS)
areas to be addressed in the EIS will Officer. published in the Federal Register on
include soils; air quality/climate; water [FR Doc. 2016–20502 Filed 8–25–16; 8:45 am] May 4, 2007 (72 FR 25302), 2012 Final
quality; airborne noise; biological BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P SEIS/SOEIS published in the Federal
resources; land use and recreation; Register on June 8, 2012 (77 FR 34041),
socioeconomics, environmental justice, and 2015 Final SEIS/SOEIS published
and the protection of children; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE in the Federal Register on January 30,
transportation; cultural resources; 2015 (80 FR 5109), the Navy has
Department of the Navy prepared a comprehensive assessment
Native American traditional resources;
and public health and safety. of the potential environmental impacts
Notice of Availability of a Draft
The public scoping process starts with associated with continued employment
Supplemental Environmental Impact
the publication of this Notice of Intent. of SURTASS LFA sonar systems.
Statement/Supplemental Overseas
Seven open house information sessions Hereafter, ‘‘SURTASS LFA sonar
Environmental Impact Statement for
are scheduled to receive oral or written systems’’ is inclusive of both the LFA
Surveillance Towed Array Sensor
comments on issues to be addressed in and Compact LFA sonar systems, each
System Low Frequency Active
the EIS: having similar acoustic transmission
(SURTASS LFA) Sonar
1. Monday, October 3, 2016, 3:00 p.m. characteristics.
The Navy proposes to continue
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
to 7:00 p.m., Fallon Convention Center, AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
100 Campus Way, Fallon, NV 89406. ACTION: Notice. employing up to four SURTASS LFA
2. Tuesday, October 4, 2016, 11:00 sonar systems onboard up to four Navy
a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Pershing County SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National surveillance ships for routine training,
Community Center, 820 6th Street, Environmental Policy Act as testing, and military operations in the
Lovelock, NV 89419. implemented by the Council on Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans and
3. Tuesday, October 4, 2016, 5:00 p.m. Environmental Quality regulations (40 the Mediterranean Sea, including
to 7:00 p.m., Evelyn Mount Northeast CFR parts 1500–1508) and Executive certain geographic limitations on
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Document Created: 2016-08-26 10:40:59
Document Modified: 2016-08-26 10:40:59
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Contact | Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest; Attention: Amy P. Kelley, Code EV21.AK; 1220 Pacific Highway; Building 1, 5th Floor; San Diego, California 92132. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 58919 |
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