81 FR 81748 - Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for EA-18G “Growler” Airfield Operations at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Complex, Washington

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 223 (November 18, 2016)

Page Range		81748-81750
FR Document		2016-27827

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and regulations implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 Code of Federal Regulations parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy (DoN) has prepared and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential environmental impacts of adding up to 36 Growler aircraft at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island complex, and continuing and increasing Growler airfield operations. The NAS Whidbey Island complex is located in Island County, Washington, on Whidbey Island, in the northern Puget Sound region. The complex includes the main air station (Ault Field), which is in the north- central part of the island, adjacent to the city of Oak Harbor, and Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Coupeville. The OLF is approximately 10 miles south of Ault Field and is dedicated primarily to Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP). With the filing of the Draft EIS, the DoN is initiating an extended public comment period of 75 days, beginning on November 10, 2016 and ending on January 25, 2017. Public meetings are scheduled to inform the public and receive comments on the environmental analysis presented in the Draft EIS. This notice announces the dates, times, and locations of the public meetings and provides supplementary information about the Draft EIS.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 223 (Friday, November 18, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 223 (Friday, November 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81748-81750]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27827]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for EA-18G ``Growler'' Airfield Operations at the Naval Air 
Station Whidbey Island Complex, Washington

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 of 1969 and regulations implemented by the Council on 
Environmental Quality (40 Code of Federal Regulations parts 1500-1508), 
the Department of the Navy (DoN) has prepared and filed with the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) to assess the potential environmental impacts of adding up to 36 
Growler aircraft at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island complex, 
and continuing and increasing Growler airfield operations. The NAS 
Whidbey Island complex is located in Island County, Washington, on 
Whidbey Island, in the northern Puget Sound region. The complex 
includes the main air station (Ault Field), which is in the north-
central part of the island, adjacent to the city of Oak Harbor, and 
Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Coupeville. The OLF is approximately 10 
miles south of Ault Field and is dedicated primarily to Field Carrier 
Landing Practice (FCLP).
    With the filing of the Draft EIS, the DoN is initiating an extended 
public comment period of 75 days, beginning on November 10, 2016 and 
ending on January 25, 2017. Public meetings are scheduled to inform the 
public and receive comments on the environmental analysis presented in 
the Draft EIS. This notice announces the dates, times, and

[[Page 81749]]

locations of the public meetings and provides supplementary information 
about the Draft EIS.

DATES AND ADDRESSES: The DoN will hold public meetings to inform the 
public about the Draft EIS and the proposed action and alternatives 
under consideration and to provide opportunities for the public to 
comment on the Draft EIS. Federal, state, and local agencies and 
officials, Native American Indian Tribes and Nations, and interested 
organizations and individuals are encouraged to provide comments in 
person at the public meetings or in writing during the 75-day public 
review period. Public meetings will be held at the following dates, 
times, and locations:
    1. Monday, December 5, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the 
Fort Worden State Park Conference Center, USO Hall, 200 Battery Way, 
Port Townsend, Washington 98368.
    2. Tuesday, December 6, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the 
Oak Harbor Elks Lodge Grande Hall, 155 NE Ernst Street, Oak Harbor, 
Washington 98277.
    3. Wednesday, December 7, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the 
Lopez Center for Community and the Arts, 204 Village Road, Lopez 
Island, Washington 98261.
    4. Thursday, December 8, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the 
Seafarers' Memorial Park Building, 601 Seafarers Way, Anacortes, 
Washington 98221.
    5. Friday, December 9, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the 
Coupeville High School Commons, 501 South Main Street, Coupeville, 
Washington 98239.
    The public meetings will be open house sessions with informational 
poster stations. Members of the public will have the opportunity to ask 
questions of DoN representatives and subject matter experts. Attendees 
will also be able to provide verbal comments to a stenographer or 
submit written comments during the public meetings. In addition to 
participating in the public meetings, members of the public may submit 
comments via the U.S. Postal Service using the mailing address 
identified in the contact information later in this notice or 
electronically using the project Web site (http://www.whidbeyeis.com). 
All comments made at the public meetings or postmarked or received 
online by January 25 will become part of the public record and be 
considered in the Final EIS.
    The DoN may release the city, state, and 5-digit zip code of 
individuals who provide comments during the Draft EIS public review 
period. However, the names, street addresses, email addresses and 
screen names, telephone numbers, or other personally identifiable 
information of those individuals will not be released by the DoN unless 
required by law. Prior to each commenter making verbal comments to the 
stenographer at the public meetings the commenter will be asked whether 
he/she agrees to a release of their personally identifiable 
information. Those commenters submitting written comments, either using 
comment forms or via the project Web site, will be asked whether they 
authorize release of personally identifiable information by checking a 
``release'' box.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: EA-18G EIS Project Manager, Naval 
Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic, Attention: Code EV21/
SS; 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 5, 2013, the DoN published a 
notice of intent (NOI) in the Federal Register (78 FR 54635) to analyze 
the potential addition of 13 Growler aircraft to the existing Growler 
community stationed at NAS Whidbey Island. A revised NOI was published 
in the Federal Register on October 10, 2014 (79 FR 61296), which 
modified the proposed action by increasing the number of aircraft 
analyzed to 36 in order to account for the possible procurement of 
additional aircraft. Comments received during the two scoping periods 
were used to shape the analysis contained in the Draft EIS.
    The DoN's proposed action is to: (1) Continue and expand existing 
Growler operations at Ault Field and OLF Coupeville; (2) increase 
capabilities to accommodate up to 36 additional aircraft, including the 
construction and renovation of facilities at Ault Field; (3) support 
flight operations of other aircraft, and (4) station additional 
personnel in the region.
    The purpose of the proposed action is to augment the DoN's existing 
Electronic Attack community at NAS Whidbey Island by operating 
additional Growler aircraft as appropriated by Congress. The DoN needs 
to effectively and efficiently increase electronic attack capabilities 
in order to counter increasingly sophisticated threats and provide more 
aircraft per squadron in order to give operational commanders more 
flexibility in addressing future threats and missions. The need for the 
proposed action is to maintain and expand Growler operational readiness 
to support national defense requirements under Title 10, United States 
Code (U.S.C.), Section 5062.
    In developing the proposed range of alternatives that meet the 
purpose of and need for the proposed action, the DoN carefully reviewed 
important considerations unique to the Growler community that is 
single-sited at NAS Whidbey Island, as well as Growler squadron 
training in light of Title 10 responsibilities; existing training 
requirements and regulations; existing DoN infrastructure; and Chief of 
Naval Operations guidance to support operating Naval Forces. 
Furthermore, the DoN evaluated past home basing decisions, reconsidered 
alternatives previously eliminated from analysis, and thoughtfully 
considered basing and training options suggested by the public during 
the two scoping periods. The Draft EIS explains the DoN's reasons for 
eliminating some alternatives and suggested options from further 
consideration. In addition, the Draft EIS explains why some 
alternatives presented in the October 10, 2014 revised NOI were not 
carried forward.
    The action alternatives evaluated in the Draft EIS vary in terms of 
force structure and operations to accommodate the proposed increase in 
Growler aircraft. In addition, three operational scenarios (sub-
alternatives) are evaluated, all of which focus on the distribution of 
annual FCLP airfield operations between Ault Field and OLF Coupeville.
    In addition to the action alternatives, the DoN evaluated the 
potential environmental effects of the No Action Alternative. Under 
this alternative, the proposed action would not occur. Although the No 
Action Alternative would not meet the purpose of or need for the 
proposed action, the conditions associated with the No Action 
Alternative serve as reference points for describing and quantifying 
the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed action 
alternatives. For this Draft EIS, the DoN is using the year 2021 for 
the No Action Alternative because it represents conditions when events 
at Ault Field affecting aircraft loading, facility and infrastructure 
assets, personnel levels, and number of aircraft are expected to be 
fully implemented and complete from previous aircraft home basing, 
aircraft retirement, and other related decisions.
    The Draft EIS provides an analysis of the potential environmental 
effects of the proposed action on the following resources: Airspace and 
airfield operations; noise; public health and safety; air quality; land 
use; cultural resources; American Indian traditional resources; 
biological resources; water resources; socioeconomics; environmental 
justice; transportation;

[[Page 81750]]

infrastructure; geological resources; hazardous materials and wastes; 
and climate change and greenhouse gases. Consultation with the 
Washington State Historic Preservation Officer under Section 106 of the 
National Historic Preservation Act is pending. The Navy will also 
engage in consultations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, Washington State Department of 
Ecology, and Native American Tribes and Nations.
    The Draft EIS was distributed to federal, state, and local agencies 
and elected officials, Native American Indian Tribes and Nations, and 
other interested individuals and organizations. The Draft EIS is 
available for public electronic viewing or download at the project Web 
site (http://www.whidbeyeis.com). A paper copy of the Draft EIS may be 
reviewed at 22 public libraries in the northern Puget Sound region. The 
full list of and addresses for each of the libraries may be found at 
the project Web site.
    To be included on the DoN's mailing list for future updates on the 
EIS, submit a request electronically using the project Web site or 
submit a written request to the address previously identified for 
further information. The same policy for release of personally 
identifiable information as identified above will be maintained by the 
DoN for individuals requesting to be included on the EIS mailing list.

    Dated: November 9, 2016.
C.D. Mora,
Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register 
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-27827 Filed 11-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P

81748 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 223 / Friday, November 18, 2016 / Notices

during follow-on meetings. Agenda Individuals requiring special be addressed in this public meeting. A
items for this meeting will include the accommodations to access the public 30-minute period near the end of the
following: (1) Final discussions and meeting or seeking additional meeting will be available for verbal
deliberations on 10 U.S.C. 2320 and information about public access public comments. Members of the
2321 tension points; (2) Report procedures, should contact LTC Lunoff, public who have requested to make a
framework and collaboration; (3) the committee DFO, at the email address verbal comment and whose comments
Comment Adjudication and Planning or telephone number listed in the FOR have been deemed relevant under the
for follow-on meeting. FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section, process described in this paragraph, will
Availability of Materials for the at least five (5) business days prior to be allotted no more than five (5)
Meeting: A copy of the agenda or any the meeting so that appropriate minutes during this period, and will be
updates to the agenda for the November arrangements can be made. invited to speak in the order in which
29, 2016 meeting will be available as Written Comments or Statements: their requests were received by the DFO.
requested or at the following site: Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.105(j) and
Dated: November 15, 2016.
https://database.faca.gov/committee/ 102–3.140 and section 10(a)(3) of the
Aaron Siegel,
meetings.aspx?cid=2561. It will also be Federal Advisory Committee Act, the
public or interested organizations may Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
distributed upon request. Officer, Department of Defense.
Minor changes to the agenda will be submit written comments or statements
to the Government-Industry Advisory [FR Doc. 2016–27773 Filed 11–17–16; 8:45 am]
announced at the meeting. All materials
will be posted to the FACA database Panel about its mission and/or the BILLING CODE 5001–06–P

after the meeting. topics to be addressed in this public
Public Accessibility to the Meeting: meeting. Written comments or
statements should be submitted to LTC DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended,
and 41 CFR 102–3.140 through 102– Lunoff, the committee DFO, via
Department of the Navy
3.165, and subject to the availability of electronic mail, the preferred mode of
submission, at the email address listed Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft
space, this meeting is open to the
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Environmental Impact Statement for
public. Registration of members of the
CONTACT section in the following EA–18G ‘‘Growler’’ Airfield Operations
public who wish to attend the meeting
formats: Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
will begin upon publication of this
Word. The comment or statement must Complex, Washington
meeting notice and end three business
include the author’s name, title,
days (November 23) prior to the start of AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD
affiliation, address, and daytime
the meeting. All members of the public
telephone number. Written comments or ACTION: Notice.
must contact LTC Lunoff at the phone
statements being submitted in response
number or email listed in the FOR SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c)
to the agenda set forth in this notice
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to of the National Environmental Policy
must be received by the committee DFO
make arrangements for Pentagon escort, at least five (5) business days prior to Act of 1969 and regulations
if necessary. Public attendees should the meeting so that they may be made implemented by the Council on
arrive at the Pentagon’s Visitor’s Center, available to the Government-Industry Environmental Quality (40 Code of
located near the Pentagon Metro Advisory Panel for its consideration Federal Regulations parts 1500–1508),
Station’s south exit and adjacent to the prior to the meeting. Written comments the Department of the Navy (DoN) has
Pentagon Transit Center bus terminal or statements received after this date prepared and filed with the U.S.
with sufficient time to complete security may not be provided to the panel until Environmental Protection Agency a
screening no later than 8:30 a.m. on its next meeting. Please note that Draft Environmental Impact Statement
November 29. To complete security because the panel operates under the (EIS) to assess the potential
screening, please come prepared to provisions of the Federal Advisory environmental impacts of adding up to
present two forms of identification of Committee Act, as amended, all written 36 Growler aircraft at the Naval Air
which one must be a pictured comments will be treated as public Station (NAS) Whidbey Island complex,
identification card. Government and documents and will be made available and continuing and increasing Growler
military DoD CAC holders are not for public inspection. airfield operations. The NAS Whidbey
required to have an escort, but are still Verbal Comments: Members of the Island complex is located in Island
required to pass through the Visitor’s public will be permitted to make verbal County, Washington, on Whidbey
Center to gain access to the Building. comments during the meeting only at Island, in the northern Puget Sound
Seating is limited and is on a first-to- the time and in the manner allowed region. The complex includes the main
arrive basis. Attendees will be asked to herein. If a member of the public is air station (Ault Field), which is in the
provide their name, title, affiliation, and interested in making a verbal comment north-central part of the island, adjacent
contact information to include email at the open meeting, that individual to the city of Oak Harbor, and Outlying
address and daytime telephone number must submit a request, with a brief Landing Field (OLF) Coupeville. The
to the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) statement of the subject matter to be OLF is approximately 10 miles south of
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION addressed by the comment, at least three Ault Field and is dedicated primarily to
CONTACT section. Any interested person (3) business days in advance to the Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP).
may attend the meeting, file written committee DFO, via electronic mail, the With the filing of the Draft EIS, the
comments or statements with the preferred mode of submission, at the DoN is initiating an extended public
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

committee, or make verbal comments email address listed in the FOR FURTHER comment period of 75 days, beginning
from the floor during the public INFORMATION CONTACT section. The on November 10, 2016 and ending on
meeting, at the times, and in the committee DFO will log each request to January 25, 2017. Public meetings are
manner, permitted by the committee. make a comment, in the order received, scheduled to inform the public and
Special Accommodations: The and determine whether the subject receive comments on the environmental
meeting venue is fully handicap matter of each comment is relevant to analysis presented in the Draft EIS. This
accessible, with wheelchair access. the panel’s mission and/or the topics to notice announces the dates, times, and

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81750 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 223 / Friday, November 18, 2016 / Notices

infrastructure; geological resources; application); 2082–063 and 14803–001 application by December 31, 2017, and
hazardous materials and wastes; and (surrender application). allow the Renewal Corporation six
climate change and greenhouse gases. c. Date Filed: September 23, 2016. months from the issuance date of the
Consultation with the Washington State d. Applicants: For license amendment order approving transfer to submit proof
Historic Preservation Officer under and transfer: PacifiCorp (transferor) and of its acceptance of license transfer.
Section 106 of the National Historic Klamath River Renewal Corporation k. Description of Surrender Request:
Preservation Act is pending. The Navy (transferee). The Renewal Corporation’s request to
will also engage in consultations with For license surrender: Klamath River surrender and decommission the Lower
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Renewal Corporation. Klamath Project, including removal of
National Marine Fisheries Service, e. Name of Projects: Klamath Project the project dams is contingent upon a
Washington State Department of (P–2082). Commission order amending
Ecology, and Native American Tribes Lower Klamath Project (P–14803). PacifiCorp’s existing Klamath Project
and Nations. f. Locations: Klamath Project—on the (P–2082) license to create a new project,
The Draft EIS was distributed to Klamath River in Klamath County, the Lower Klamath Project, and
federal, state, and local agencies and Oregon, and on the Klamath River and transferring the Lower Klamath Project
elected officials, Native American Fall Creek in Siskiyou County, to the Renewal Corporation, as
Indian Tribes and Nations, and other California. The project includes about described in item (j), above. The Lower
interested individuals and 477 acres of federal lands administered Klamath Project, as envisioned by the
organizations. The Draft EIS is available by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Renewal Corporation, would consist of
for public electronic viewing or Bureau of Land Management. the J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No.
download at the project Web site (http:// Lower Klamath Project—on the 2, and Iron Gate developments of the
www.whidbeyeis.com). A paper copy of Klamath River in Klamath County, existing Klamath Project No. 2082, and
the Draft EIS may be reviewed at 22 Oregon, and Siskiyou County, the Renewal Corporation would be the
public libraries in the northern Puget California. The project would include sole licensee. The Renewal Corporation
Sound region. The full list of and about 395 acres of federal lands requests that the Commission not act on
addresses for each of the libraries may administered by the Bureau of Land this request until it is ready to accept
be found at the project Web site. Management. license transfer and states that it will
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power file, by December 31, 2017, its
To be included on the DoN’s mailing
Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a–825r. decommissioning plan to serve as the
list for future updates on the EIS, submit h. Applicants Contact: Sarah
a request electronically using the project basis for Commission staff’s
Kamman, Vice President and General environmental and engineering review
Web site or submit a written request to Counsel, PacifiCorp, 825 NE Multnomah
the address previously identified for of the surrender application. Because
Street, Suite 2000, Portland, OR 97232, only a licensee may file to surrender a
further information. The same policy for (503) 813–5865, sarah kamman@
release of personally identifiable license and the Commission does not
pacificorp.com. accept contingent applications, the
information as identified above will be Michael Carrier, President, Klamath
maintained by the DoN for individuals surrender application is deemed to be
River Renewal Corporation, 423 filed by both PacifiCorp and the
requesting to be included on the EIS Washington Street, 3rd Floor, San
mailing list. Renewal Corporation. See 18 CFR 6.1
Francisco, CA 94111, (415) 820–4441, and 4.32(j). Therefore, while action on
Dated: November 9, 2016. michael@klamathrenewal.org. the amendment and transfer application
C.D. Mora, i. FERC Contacts: Amendment and is pending, the Commission will
Commander, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Transfer: Steve Hocking, (202) 502– maintain both applications in the
U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. 8753, Steve.Hocking@ferc.gov. dockets for both project numbers. If the
[FR Doc. 2016–27827 Filed 11–17–16; 8:45 am] Surrender: John Mudre: (202) 502– Commission approves the transfer and
BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
8902, john.mudre@ferc.gov. the Renewal Corporation accepts the
j. Description of Amendment and license, following which the Renewal
Transfer Request: The applicants Corporation would become the sole
request that the Commission transfer the licensee, the surrender proceeding
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2, would continue solely in Project No.
Federal Energy Regulatory and Iron Gate developments of the 14803.
Commission existing Klamath Project No. 2082 from l. With this notice, we are initiating
PacifiCorp to the Klamath River informal consultation with: (a) the U.S.
[Project No. 2082–062; Project No. 2082– Renewal Corporation (Renewal Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA
063; Project No. 14803–000; Project No. Corporation) and create a new project, Fisheries under section 7 of the
14803–001] the Lower Klamath Project, for the Endangered Species Act and the joint
PacifiCorp, Klamath River Renewal transferred developments with the agency implementing regulations at 50
Corporation; Notice of Applications Renewal Corporation as the sole CFR part 402; (b) NOAA Fisheries under
Filed With the Commission licensee. PacifiCorp requests that the section 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens
license for Project No. 2082 be amended Fishery Conservation and Management
Take notice that the following to delete references to the four Act and implementing regulations at 50
hydroelectric applications have been transferred developments. The CFR 600.920; and (c) the California and
filed with the Commission and are applicants state that they will make a Oregon State Historic Preservation
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

available for public inspection: supplemental filing on or before March Officers, as required by section 106 of
a. Types of Applications: Application 1, 2017, demonstrating the legal, the National Historic Preservation Act,
for Amendment and Partial Transfer of technical, and financial capabilities of and the implementing regulations of the
License; Application for Surrender of the Renewal Corporation to perform its Advisory Council on Historic
License. responsibilities as transferee. Applicants Preservation at 36 CFR part 800.
b. Project Nos.: 2082–062 and 14803– further request that the Commission act m. With this notice, we are
000 (amendment and transfer on the amendment and transfer designating PacifiCorp and the Renewal

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Document Created: 2018-02-14 08:31:14
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 08:31:14

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		EA-18G EIS Project Manager, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic, Attention: Code EV21/ SS; 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508.
FR Citation		81 FR 81748

81 FR 81748 - Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for EA-18G “Growler” Airfield Operations at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Complex, Washington

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEDepartment of the Navy

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 223 (November 18, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy