At-sea navy readiness actions, which have been final analyzed within the 2018 Hawaii-Southern California Coaching and Testing (HSTT) EIS/OEIS and the 2022 Level Mugu Sea Vary (PMSR) EIS/OEIS, embody coaching and analysis, growth, testing, and analysis actions (known as “coaching and testing”). Proposed coaching and testing actions might embody the usage of lively sonar, explosives, and different sources of underwater sound. The Navy would proceed to make use of acceptable marine species protecting mitigation measures when conducting these actions. Modernization and sustainment proposals embody new particular use airspace in Southern California, an enlargement of an underwater coaching vary close to San Clemente Island, and set up and upkeep of mine coaching areas off Hawaii and Southern California. The Navy invited the Nationwide Marine Fisheries Service and the Federal Aviation Administration to be cooperating businesses within the preparation of the EIS/OEIS.
The Proposed Motion is required to make sure U.S. navy companies are in a position to arrange, practice, and equip service members and personnel to satisfy their respective nationwide protection missions in accordance with their Congressionally mandated necessities. Proposed coaching and testing actions are much like these analyzed in earlier environmental affect analyses and are consultant of actions which were performed off Hawaii and California for greater than 80 years.
The HCTT Research Space consists primarily of the Hawaii Working Space (OPAREA) and Non permanent OPAREA, the California OPAREA, and the transit hall connecting the 2. The Research Space contains solely the at-sea parts of the vary complexes, Navy pierside places and port transit channels, bays, harbors, inshore waterways, and civilian ports the place coaching and testing actions happen, in addition to transits between homeports and working areas. For this EIS/OEIS, “at-sea parts” embody the marine setting round San Nicolas Island the place marine mammals haul out on the shoreline. Missile and goal firings from San Nicolas Island that would disturb the marine mammals are included on this evaluation. Except for this one exception, no different terrestrial impacts shall be coated within the EIS/OEIS.
The HCTT Research Space differs from the 2018 HSTT Research Space in that it contains:
• An prolonged Southern California Vary Complicated
• Particular use airspace comparable to the brand new extensions in California (the proposed W-293 and the proposed W-294)
• Two present coaching and testing at-sea ranges, the PMSR and the Northern California (NOCAL) Vary Complicated
• Areas alongside the Southern California shoreline from roughly Dana Level to Port Hueneme
• 4 amphibious method lanes offering land entry from the NOCAL Vary Complicated and PMSR
Maps of the Research Space can be found on the venture web site.
Within the EIS/OEIS, the Navy will consider the potential environmental impacts from a No Motion Different and two motion options. Sources to be evaluated embody, however aren’t restricted to, organic sources (together with marine mammals, reptiles, fishes, vegetation, invertebrates, habitats, birds, and different protected species), sediments and water high quality, air high quality, cultural sources, socioeconomic sources, and public well being and security.
The event of the EIS/OEIS will assist maintain the readiness of the Navy and different collaborating U.S. navy companies by supporting present and future coaching and testing necessities, growing flexibility in conducting coaching and testing actions, modernizing and sustaining vary capabilities, updating environmental affect analyses utilizing the perfect obtainable science and analytical strategies, and supporting Marine Mammal Safety Act and Endangered Species Act consultations for the reissuance of federal regulatory permits and authorizations inside the Research Space.
Public Participation
The Navy is internet hosting a digital open home presentation on the venture web site through the scoping interval from Dec. 15, 2023, to Jan. 29, 2024. The presentation supplies details about the Proposed Motion, its goal and want, environmental useful resource areas to be analyzed within the EIS/OEIS, the NEPA course of, the NHPA Part 106 course of, and public involvement alternatives. The general public can view the digital open home presentation and submit feedback at www.nepa.navy.mil/hctteis/ anytime through the scoping interval.
The Navy welcomes and appreciates the general public’s participation through the scoping interval. Feedback have to be postmarked or acquired on-line no later than 11:59 p.m. PST on Jan. 29, 2024, for consideration within the Draft EIS/OEIS. Feedback could also be submitted through the venture web site at www.nepa.navy.mil/hctteis/ or by mail to:
Naval Amenities Engineering Techniques Command Pacific
Consideration: HCTT EIS/OEIS Mission Supervisor
258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100
Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134
This public scoping effort will even assist session beneath Part 106 of the NHPA and its implementing laws at 36 Code of Federal Rules half 800, as members of the general public are invited to take part, present feedback, or increase considerations. Feedback submitted through the venture web site or by mail shall be thought of beneath NEPA and pursuant to Part 106 of the NHPA.
There shall be a public remark alternative when the Draft EIS/OEIS is obtainable, which is scheduled for fall 2024.
Go to the venture web site at www.nepa.navy.mil/hctteis/ to be taught extra in regards to the venture, view maps of the Research Space, evaluation prior NEPA-related paperwork, be taught in regards to the NHPA Part 106 session course of, and submit feedback.
Media in search of additional info ought to contact the [Hawaii/Southwest] Regional Public Affairs Officer at danny.r.hayes6.civ@us.navy.mil or 808-473-0662/sergio.j.hernandez.civ@us.navy.mil or 619-705-5242.
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