[Federal Register: April 18, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 76)]
[Notices]
[Page 21122-21123]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18ap08-44]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Availability of Finding
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 Council on Environmental Quality
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), implementing procedural
provisions of NEPA, and Executive Order (EO) 12114, Environmental
Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, the Department of the Navy
(DON) gives notice that a combined Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI)/Finding of No Significant Harm (FONSH) has been issued and is
available for Carrier Strike Group Composite Training Unit Exercise
(CSG COMPTUEX) April/May 2008.
DATES: The effective date of the finding is April 14, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the combined FONSI/FONSH are available
for public viewing or downloading at http://www.navydocuments.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Commander, Second Fleet Public
Affairs, Commander Phillips, telephone: 757-443-9822 or visit http://
www.navydocuments.com.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CSG COMPTUEX (April-May 2008) is a major
Navy Atlantic Fleet training exercise proposed to occur in April and
May 2008 in the offshore Jacksonville Operating Area (OPAREA) and
adjacent military installations. The purpose of this exercise is to
certify naval forces as combat-ready. Activities conducted during the
exercise include air-to-ground (ATG) bombing at land ranges, Combat
Search and Rescue (CSAR), Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Naval
Gunfire, Fast Attack Craft/Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FAC/FIAC), and
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), including use of mid-frequency active
(MFA) sonar.
The FONSI is based on analysis contained in a Comprehensive
Environmental Assessment (EA) addressing environmental impacts
associated with land-based training for Major Atlantic Fleet Training
Exercises on the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S.
The FONSH is based on analysis contained in a Comprehensive
Overseas Environmental Assessment (OEA) and Supplement to the
Comprehensive OEA (SOEA) for environmental impacts associated with
Navy's conduct of major
[[Page 21123]]
exercise training in offshore operating areas along the East and Gulf
Coasts of the U.S.
Environmental concerns addressed in the EA included land use,
community facilities, coastal zone management, socioeconomics, cultural
resources, airspace, air quality, noise, geology, soils, water
resources, biological resources, munitions and hazardous materials
management, and safety. The EA and OEA addressed potential impacts to
the ocean physical environment, fish and Essential Fish Habitat; sea
turtles and marine mammals; seabirds and migratory birds; endangered
and threatened species; socioeconomics; and cultural resources. The
SOEA included an updated analysis of MFA sonar use associated with the
CSG COMPTUEX.
This action includes mitigation measures to reduce impacts to a
level that is less than significant. In accordance with the Major
Atlantic Fleet Training Exercise EA and OEA and the SOEA and the
evaluation of the nature, scope and intensity of the proposed action,
the Navy finds that the conduct of the CSG COMPTUEX in April and May
2008 will not significantly impact or harm the environment and,
therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement or Overseas Environmental
Impact Statement is not required.
Dated: April 9, 2008.
T. M. Cruz,
Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Register
Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-8383 Filed 4-17-08; 8:45 am]
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