82 FR 38674 - Notice of Redesignation of the Environmental Impact Statement To Transition FA-18C Strike Fighter Squadrons to FA-18E Strike Fighter Squadrons at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, as an Environmental Assessment and Announcement of Public Meetings
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 156 (August 15, 2017)
Department of the Navy
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 156 (August 15, 2017)
| Page Range | 38674-38675 | |
| FR Document | 2017-17142 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 15, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 38674-38675] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-17142] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy Notice of Redesignation of the Environmental Impact Statement To Transition FA-18C Strike Fighter Squadrons to FA-18E Strike Fighter Squadrons at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, as an Environmental Assessment and Announcement of Public Meetings AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Navy's (DoN) intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the transition of the remaining F/A-18A/C/D (Hornet) aircraft, based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, to the F/A-18E/F (Super Hornet), published in the Federal Register on September 10, 2015 (80 FR 175), is hereby modified. The DoN is redesignating the EIS as an Environmental Assessment (EA). The DoN will hold public meetings on August 29 and 30, 2017, to inform the public and answer questions about the Draft EA and the proposed action as well as provide opportunities for the public to comment on the Draft EA. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and regulations implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality, the DoN published a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS to transition Hornet aircraft to Super Hornet aircraft at NAS Oceana on September 10, 2015, in the Federal Register (80 FR 175). The majority of aircraft based at NAS Oceana transitioned to Super Hornet over a decade ago (as part of a separate proposed action), and are currently conducting flight training operations at NAS Oceana and Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Fentress. The purpose of transitioning the remaining Hornet aircraft to Super Hornet aircraft is to provide newer, more capable, and more reliable aircraft to the NAS Oceana-based strike fighter community, which are needed to support the Navy's national defense requirements under Title 10 U.S. Code Section 5062. During the development of the EIS, the DoN's analysis showed no [[Page 38675]] significant environmental impacts. This is because Super Hornet flight training is nearly identical to Hornet flight training. Consequently, there would be little to no change to the type and quantity of flight training operations at NAS Oceana and NALF Fentress as a result of the transition. The analysis also showed there would be only minor noise increases in a few areas; however, no increases would be greater than 1.6 decibels (dB) Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL). A 3 dB DNL or less change in noise levels is barely perceptible to the human ear. No significant environmental impacts were identified for the other resources analyzed in the EA, including air quality, public health and safety, environmental justice, land use, biological resources, and cultural resources. Accordingly, the DoN announces to public the redesignation of the EIS as an EA for this action. With this redesignation of the EIS as an EA, the DoN is initiating a 30-day public review and comment period on the Draft EA beginning on August 16, 2017 and ending on September 15, 2017. The Draft EA is available at the following link: http://www.oceanastrikefighter.com. A printed copy and an electronic copy of the Draft EA have also been placed in the following libraries: 1. Great Neck Area Library, 1251 Bayne Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454. 2. Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452. 3. Oceanfront Area Library, 700 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451. 4. Princess Ann Area Library, 1444 Nimmo Parkway, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456. 5. Wahab Public Law Library, 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Judicial Center, Bldg 10B, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456. 6. Windsor Wood Area Library, 3612 South Plaza Trail, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452. 7. Chesapeake Central Library, 298 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322. 8. Greenbrier Library, 1214 Volvo Parkway, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320. The DoN will hold public meetings to inform the public and answer questions about the Draft EA and the proposed action as well as provide opportunities for the public to comment on the Draft EA. 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 30-day public review period. Two public meetings will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on: 1. Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at the Columbian Club, 1236 Prosperity Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451. 2. Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at the Hickory Ruritan Club, 2752 Battlefield Boulevard South, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322. 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.oceanastrikefighter.com). All comments made at the public meetings, or postmarked or received online by September 15, 2017, will become part of the public record and be considered in the Final EA. The DoN may release the city, state, and 5-digit zip code of individuals who provide comments during the Draft EA public review and comment 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 or 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: NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EA Project Manager (Code EV21/TW); Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508. Dated: August 7, 2017. A.M. Nichols, Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2017-17142 Filed 8-14-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P
![38674 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 156 / Tuesday, August 15, 2017 / Notices
analytical methods for evaluating (2) the submitter’s name, address, and Dated: August 7, 2017.
extinction risk. any association, institution, or business A.M. Nichols,
In addition to the above requested that the person represents. Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate
information, we are interested in any Authority: The authority for this action is General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register
information concerning protective the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as Liaison Officer.
efforts that have not yet been fully amended (16. U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). [FR Doc. 2017–17140 Filed 8–14–17; 8:45 am]
implemented or demonstrated as BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P
Dated: August 10, 2017.
effective. Our consideration of
conservation measures, regulatory Samuel D. Rauch, III,
mechanisms, and other protective Deputy Assistant Administrator for DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
efforts will be guided by the Services Regulatory Programs, National Marine
‘‘Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Fisheries Service. Department of the Navy
Efforts When Making Listing Decisions’’ [FR Doc. 2017–17218 Filed 8–14–17; 8:45 am]
(PECE Policy) (68 FR 15100; March 28, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Notice of Redesignation of the
2003). The PECE established criteria to Environmental Impact Statement To
ensure the consistent and adequate Transition FA–18C Strike Fighter
evaluation of formalized conservation Squadrons to FA–18E Strike Fighter
efforts when making listing decisions DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Squadrons at Naval Air Station
under the ESA. This policy may also Oceana, Virginia, as an Environmental
guide the development of conservation Department of the Navy Assessment and Announcement of
efforts that sufficiently improve a Public Meetings
Notice of Availability of Record of
species’ status so as to make listing the AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
Decision for the Final Environmental
species as threatened or endangered
Impact Statement for the Disposal and ACTION: Notice.
unnecessary. Under the PECE the
Reuse of Surplus Property at Naval
adequacy of conservation efforts is SUMMARY: The Department of Navy’s
Station Newport, Rhode Island
evaluated in terms of the certainty of (DoN) intent to prepare an
their implementation, and the certainty AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
of their effectiveness. Criteria for for the transition of the remaining F/A–
evaluating the certainty of ACTION: Notice. 18A/C/D (Hornet) aircraft, based at
implementation include whether: The Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, to the
necessary resources are available; the SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the F/A–18E/F (Super Hornet), published in
necessary authority is in place; an Navy (Navy), after carefully weighing the Federal Register on September 10,
agreement is formalized (i.e., regulatory the environmental consequences of the 2015 (80 FR 175), is hereby modified.
and procedural mechanisms are in proposed action, announces its decision The DoN is redesignating the EIS as an
place); there is a schedule for to implement Alternative 1, the Navy’s Environmental Assessment (EA). The
completion and evaluation; for preferred alternative as described in the DoN will hold public meetings on
voluntary measures, incentives to Final Environmental Impact Statement August 29 and 30, 2017, to inform the
ensure necessary participation are in (EIS) for the Disposal and Reuse of public and answer questions about the
place; and there is agreement of all Surplus Property at Naval Station Draft EA and the proposed action as
necessary parties to the measure or plan. (NAVSTA) Newport, Rhode Island. This well as provide opportunities for the
Criteria for evaluating the certainty of decision will make 158 acres of former public to comment on the Draft EA.
effectiveness include whether the NAVSTA Newport property available to
measure or plan: Includes a clear SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
the local communities of Aquidneck
description of the factors for decline to to the National Environmental Policy
Island for economic redevelopment.
be addressed and how they will be Act of 1969 and regulations
reduced; establishes specific SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Disposal implemented by the Council on
conservation objectives; identifies and reuse under the chosen alternative Environmental Quality, the DoN
necessary steps to reduce threats; is consistent with the Aquidneck Island published a Notice of Intent to prepare
includes quantifiable performance Reuse Planning Authority’s an EIS to transition Hornet aircraft to
measures for monitoring compliance ‘‘Redevelopment Plan for Surplus Super Hornet aircraft at NAS Oceana on
and effectiveness; employs principles of Properties at NAVSTA Newport’’ September 10, 2015, in the Federal
adaptive management; and is certain to (Redevelopment Plan) and Public Law Register (80 FR 175). The majority of
improve the species’ status at the time 101–510, the Defense Base Closure and aircraft based at NAS Oceana
of listing determination. We request that Realignment Act of 1990, as amended in transitioned to Super Hornet over a
any information submitted with respect 2005 (BRAC Law). The complete text of decade ago (as part of a separate
to conservation measures, regulatory the Record of Decision (ROD) is proposed action), and are currently
mechanisms, or other protective efforts available for public viewing on the conducting flight training operations at
that have yet to be implemented or project Web site at https:// NAS Oceana and Naval Auxiliary
show effectiveness explicitly address www.BRACPMO.Navy.mil along with Landing Field (NALF) Fentress. The
these criteria in the PECE. the Final EIS and supporting purpose of transitioning the remaining
If you wish to provide your documents. Single copies of the ROD Hornet aircraft to Super Hornet aircraft
information for this status review, you will be made available upon request by is to provide newer, more capable, and
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
may submit your information and contacting: Mr. Gregory Preston, BRAC more reliable aircraft to the NAS
materials electronically via email (see Program Management Office East, 4911 Oceana-based strike fighter community,
ADDRESSES section). We request that all South Broad Street, Building 679, which are needed to support the Navy’s
information be accompanied by: (1) Philadelphia, PA 19112–1303, national defense requirements under
Supporting documentation such as telephone 215–897–4900, facsimile Title 10 U.S. Code Section 5062.
maps, bibliographic references, or 215–897–4902, email gregory.preston@ During the development of the EIS,
reprints of pertinent publications; and navy.mil. the DoN’s analysis showed no
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 156 / Tuesday, August 15, 2017 / Notices 38675
significant environmental impacts. This period. Two public meetings will be DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
is because Super Hornet flight training held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on:
is nearly identical to Hornet flight 1. Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at the Western Area Power Administration
training. Consequently, there would be Columbian Club, 1236 Prosperity Road,
little to no change to the type and 2025 Power Marketing Plan
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451.
quantity of flight training operations at AGENCY: Western Area Power
NAS Oceana and NALF Fentress as a 2. Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at the
Hickory Ruritan Club, 2752 Battlefield Administration, DOE.
result of the transition. The analysis also ACTION: Notice of final plan.
showed there would be only minor Boulevard South, Chesapeake, Virginia
noise increases in a few areas; however, 23322. SUMMARY: The Department of Energy
no increases would be greater than 1.6 The public meetings will be open (DOE), Western Area Power
decibels (dB) Day-Night Average Sound house sessions with informational Administration (WAPA), announces its
Level (DNL). A 3 dB DNL or less change poster stations. Members of the public final 2025 Power Marketing Plan
in noise levels is barely perceptible to will have the opportunity to ask (Marketing Plan) for the Sierra Nevada
the human ear. No significant questions of DoN representatives and Region (SNR). On December 31, 2024,
environmental impacts were identified subject matter experts. Attendees will all of SNR’s long-term power sales
for the other resources analyzed in the also be able to provide verbal comments contracts will expire. This notice
EA, including air quality, public health to a stenographer or submit written responds to comments received on the
and safety, environmental justice, land comments during the public meetings. Proposed 2025 Power Marketing Plan
use, biological resources, and cultural In addition to participating in the public (Proposed Plan) and sets forth the
resources. Accordingly, the DoN meetings, members of the public may Marketing Plan. The Marketing Plan
announces to public the redesignation submit comments via the U.S. Postal specifies the terms and conditions
of the EIS as an EA for this action. Service using the mailing address under which WAPA will market power
With this redesignation of the EIS as identified in the contact information from the Central Valley Project (CVP)
an EA, the DoN is initiating a 30-day later in this notice or electronically and the Washoe Project beginning
public review and comment period on using the project Web site (http:// January 1, 2025. This Marketing Plan
the Draft EA beginning on August 16, www.oceanastrikefighter.com). All supersedes all previous marketing plans
2017 and ending on September 15, comments made at the public meetings, for these projects. WAPA will offer new
2017. The Draft EA is available at the or postmarked or received online by contracts for the sale of power to
following link: http:// September 15, 2017, will become part of existing customers as more fully
www.oceanastrikefighter.com. A printed the public record and be considered in described in the Marketing Plan.
copy and an electronic copy of the Draft the Final EA. Entities who wish to apply for a new
EA have also been placed in the The DoN may release the city, state, allocation of power from WAPA, and
following libraries: and 5-digit zip code of individuals who who meet the criteria defined in the
1. Great Neck Area Library, 1251 provide comments during the Draft EA Marketing Plan, should submit formal
Bayne Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia public review and comment period. applications. Application procedures
23454. However, the names, street addresses, will be set forth in the Call for 2025
2. Meyera E. Oberndorf Central email addresses and screen names, Resource Pool Applications in a
Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard, telephone numbers, or other personally separate Federal Register notice to be
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452. identifiable information of those published after the Marketing Plan is
3. Oceanfront Area Library, 700 applicable.
individuals will not be released by the
Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia
DoN unless required by law. Prior to DATES: The Marketing Plan will become
Beach, Virginia 23451.
4. Princess Ann Area Library, 1444 each commenter making verbal applicable September 14, 2017 in order
Nimmo Parkway, Virginia Beach, comments to the stenographer at the to make power allocations and complete
Virginia 23456. public meetings the commenter will be the other processes necessary to begin
5. Wahab Public Law Library, 2425 asked whether he or she agrees to a providing services on January 1, 2025.
Nimmo Parkway, Judicial Center, Bldg release of their personally identifiable FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
10B, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456. information. Those commenters Sonja Anderson, Vice President of
6. Windsor Wood Area Library, 3612 submitting written comments, either Power Marketing, Sierra Nevada
South Plaza Trail, Virginia Beach, using comment forms or via the project Customer Service Region, Western Area
Virginia 23452. Web site, will be asked whether they Power Administration, 114 Parkshore
7. Chesapeake Central Library, 298 authorize release of personally Drive, Folsom, CA, 95630–4710, by
Cedar Road, Chesapeake, Virginia identifiable information by checking a email at sanderso@wapa.gov, or by
23322. ‘‘release’’ box. telephone (916) 353–4421. Information
8. Greenbrier Library, 1214 Volvo FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: NAS on development of the Marketing Plan
Parkway, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320. Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EA can be found at https://www.wapa.gov/
The DoN will hold public meetings to regions/SN/PowerMarketing/Pages/
Project Manager (Code EV21/TW); Naval
inform the public and answer questions 2025-Program.aspx.
Facilities Engineering Command
about the Draft EA and the proposed SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Atlantic, 6506 Hampton Boulevard,
action as well as provide opportunities
Norfolk, Virginia 23508. Development of the 2025 Power
for the public to comment on the Draft
mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
EA. Federal, state, and local agencies Dated: August 7, 2017. Marketing Plan
and officials, Native American Indian A.M. Nichols, WAPA currently markets power from
Tribes and Nations, and interested Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate the CVP and the Washoe Project under
organizations and individuals are General’s Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register long-term contracts to approximately 80
encouraged to provide comments in Liaison Officer. preference customers in northern and
person at the public meetings or in [FR Doc. 2017–17142 Filed 8–14–17; 8:45 am] central California and Nevada. On
writing during the 30-day public review BILLING CODE 3810–FF–P December 31, 2024, all of SNR’s long-
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Document Created: 2017-08-15 01:12:40
Document Modified: 2017-08-15 01:12:40
| 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 | NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EA Project Manager (Code EV21/TW); Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 38674 |
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