[Federal Register: August 6, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 151)]
[Notices]
[Page 47918-47919]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06au04-60]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Restoration of Airfield Clear Zones and Storm Water Drainage
Systems at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, FL
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, as implemented by the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the
Department of Navy (Navy) announces its intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential
environmental consequences of bringing the Boca Chica Field into
compliance with Navy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Safety
Regulations. Overgrowth of mangroves and other vegetation has
negatively affected visibility and poses a strike hazard to aircraft
landing and taking off at Boca Chica Field, thereby, adversely
impacting airfield operations. Additionally, inadequate surface water
drainage on the airfield has been identified as a significant safety
hazard. NAS Key West's primary mission is to provide pilot training
facilities and services as well as access to superior airspace and
training ranges for tactical aviation squadrons. As such, NAS Key West
serves as the Navy's premier East Coast pilot training facility for
tactical aviation squadrons.
The EIS will evaluate the environmental effects associated with
vegetation removal on airspace, safety, earth resources, land use,
socioeconomic resources, infrastructure, cultural resources and
biological resources; including endangered and sensitive species,
specifically the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit (LKMR) and mangroves. Methods
to reduce or minimize impacts to these species and essential fish
habitat provided by mangroves in the clear zones will also be
addressed. The analysis will include an evaluation of the direct,
indirect, and cumulative impacts. No decision will be made to implement
any action alternative until the NEPA process is completed.
DATES: A public scoping meeting will be held in Key West, FL, to
receive oral and/or written comments on environmental concerns that
should be addressed in the EIS. The public meeting will be held on
Tuesday, August 24, 2004, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at Doubletree Grand Key
Resort, 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West, FL 33040.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Southern Division (NAVFAC EFD SOUTH), P.O. Box 190010, North
Charleston, SC 29419-9010; Attn: Ms. Olivia Westbrook, telephone (843)
820-5841; facsimile (843) 820-7465; e-mail: Olivia.westbrook@navy.mil.
The point of contact at NAS Key is Richard Ruzich. He may be reached by
telephone at (305) 293-2785; facsimile (305) 293-2542; or e-mail:
Ruzichri@naskw.navy.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Historically, the Boca Chica Field did not
have dense vegetation surrounding the area, as is the desired condition
for any airfield or airport. However, due to a lack of maintenance and
rapid growth rate, excess vegetation has encroached upon the clear
zones and now creates serious unsafe conditions on the airfield. In
order to bring the airfield back into compliance with Navy and FAA
safety regulations, some trees and shrubs within these safety clearance
zones will have to be removed. Some portions of this removal process
may have potential impacts to federally listed species and their
habitat and the filling of wetlands. The primary species of concern is
the endangered LKMR. Additional concerns involve wetlands within the
project area that include freshwater marsh, saltmarsh, freshwater
hardwoods, and mangroves (the predominant species). The Navy has
conducted extensive research and surveyed Boca Chica Field in order to
identify the non-compliant areas and develop a restoration/construction
methodology. During this process the best possible technique(s) for
restoring and enhancing the airfield clearance safety areas while
minimizing the impacts of the restoration methods to the LKMR and
wetlands were delineated.
The EIS will consider three alternatives: (1) Complete compliance
with aviation regulations. Under this alternative, maintenance would be
completed to allow the airfield to operate under the conditions
originally established for the Boca Chica Field. Maintenance activities
would include clearing, grading, and grubbing vegetation within
airfield safety clearance zones. All trees within the Primary Surface
Area, Type I, Type II, portions of Type III, and Transitional areas
would be removed, and the area completely cleared of stumps (grubbing)
and re-graded. Typical mechanized equipment would be used since the
entire area would be disturbed due to grubbing and re-grading
activities and there would be no benefit to the use of specialized low-
impact equipment. Restoration of the existing drainage system would be
implemented by removal of the mangroves in the canals and on the banks
and dredging to original invert elevations. (2) The second alternative
would include a combination of vegetation management, filling of
wetlands, and salt marsh conversion. Restoration of the existing
drainage system would be implemented by removal of the mangroves in the
canals and dredging to original invert elevations. The proposed action
would improve airfield conditions to correct deficiencies temporarily
waivered by the Navy, and return conditions to an airfield that
complies with FAA and Navy standards with an acceptable level
[[Page 47919]]
of safety. (3) The No Action Alternative in accordance with Section
1502.14(d) of the NEPA regulations means that an action would not take
place and the resulting environmental effects from taking no action
would be compared with the effects of allowing the proposed action to
move forward. Implementation of the No Action alternative would only
allow the performance of minimal airfield maintenance that is eligible
for Categorical Exclusion under NEPA requirements. Under this
alternative, Boca Chica Field would remain in non-compliance with
airfield safety criteria and NAS Key West operations would continue to
be negatively impacted by existing conditions.
The Navy is initiating the scoping process to identify community
concerns and local issues that should be addressed in the EIS. Federal,
State, and local agencies, as well as interested persons are encouraged
to provide oral and/or written comments to the Navy to identify
specific issues or topics of environmental concern for consideration in
the EIS. The Navy will consider these comments in determining the scope
of the EIS.
Written comments must be postmarked by September 21, 2004, and
should be mailed to: Restoration of Airfield Clear Zones and Storm
Water Drainage Systems at NAS Key West, FL EIS, c/o Commander, NAVFAC
EFD SOUTH, P.O. Box 190010, North Charleston, SC 29419-9010, Attn: Code
ES12/OW (Olivia Westbrook), telephone (843) 820-5841, facsimile (843)
820-7465, or by E-Mail olivia.westbrook@navy.mil.
Dated: August 3, 2004.
S.K. Melancon,
Paralegal Specialist, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Alternate
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-18008 Filed 8-5-04; 8:45 am]