Public Hearings for Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Introduction of the V-22 to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy

Public Hearings for Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

for the Introduction of the V-22 to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy, United States Marine Corps has

prepared and filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to evaluate the

introduction of the V-22 aircraft to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing in

eastern North Carolina. In accordance with the National Environmental

Policy Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations,

this notice announces the dates and locations of public hearings for

the DEIS.

DATES: Comments must be postmarked by August 9, 1999.

The meeting dates are:

1. July 19, 1999, 3:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., Jacksonville, NC.

2. July 20, 1999, 3:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., Havelock, NC.

3. July 21, 1999, 3:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., Atlantic, NC.

4. July 22, 1999, 3:00p.m. to 8:00p.m., Pollocksville, NC.

ADDRESSES: Address written comments to Commander, Atlantic Division,

Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Attn: Mr. James Haluska (Code

2033JH), 1510 Gilbert Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23511; Fax: (757) 322-

4894.

The meeting locations are:

1. Jacksonville, NC--Jacksonville City Hall, Meeting Room A, 211

Johnson Boulevard, Jacksonville, NC;

2. Havelock, NC--Havelock City Hall, 1 Hatteras Avenue, Havelock,

NC;

3. Atlantic, NC--Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field Atlantic,

Building 7017, Administration & Housing, Airfield Road, Atlantic, NC;

4. Pollocksville, NC--Pollocksville Elementary School, 300 Trent

Street, Pollocksville, NC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information concerning this

notice may be obtained by contacting Mr. James Haluska, (757) 322-4889

or Lt. Col. Blackiston, Community Plans and Liaison Officer, MCAS

Cherry Point, (919) 466-4196.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 102(2) of the National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as implemented by the Council

on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), the Department

of the Navy, United States Marine Corps has prepared a Draft

Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to assess the potential

environmental effects of introducing the V-22 ``Osprey,'' a new type of

tiltrotor aircraft, to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing (2d MAW) which

operates from several Marine Corps air stations located along the East

Coast of the United States. The DEIS has been distributed to various

Federal, state, and local agencies, as well as other interested

individuals and organizations. In addition, copies of the DEIS have

been distributed to the following libraries for public review: Carteret

County Public Library, 210 Turner Street, Beauport, NC; Craven-Pamlico-

Carteret Regional Library, 400 Johnson Street, New Bern, NC; Godwin

Memorial Library, College Street, New Bern, NC; Havelock-Craven County

Public Library, 300 Miller Boulevard, Havelock, NC; Onslow County

Public Library, 58 Doris Avenue East, Jacksonville, NC; and Pamlico

County Library, Bayboro, NC. A limited number of single copies of the

DEIS are available upon request by contacting Mr. James Haluska at

(757) 322-4889.

The introduction of the V-22 to the 2d MAW is part of a Corps-wide

process of replacing two existing weapons systems, the CH-46E and CH-

53D medium-lift helicopters currently used by the USMC MAWs, with a new

weapon system. The USMC relies on a veteran fleet of CH-46Es and CH-

53Ds for medium-lift operations, such as the delivery of troops and

equipment in amphibious assault operations. These aircraft are nearing

the end of their lifecycle, cannot travel great distances, and are not

well equipped for night or adverse weather operations. The V-22 is

capable of vertical/short takeoffs and landings, significantly greater

flight distances at a faster speed, and with a greater payload than the

helicopters it would replace. The proposed action, therefore, is to

replace the CH-46 assets of the 2d MAW with the V-22 on a one-to-one

basis. (Currently, the 2d MAW has no CH-53D assets. These are all

located in MCB Hawaii.) Replacement of a weapons system such as the CH-

46 involves more than just a substitution of a new system for an old

one. It includes replacement or renovation of the facilities used to

house and maintain the system. It also includes development within the

USMC of the skills needed to employ the new weapons system during

wartime.

The CH-46E aircraft are near the end of their operating life. The

USMC must continue to have the capability of supporting combat forces,

by lifting personnel and equipment into and out

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of confined sites quickly, at any time, under any conditions, in remote

and/or hostile environments. The political conditions of the post-Cold

War era have led to the realization by the DOD that future threats to

American security, particularly the nation's economic health, are

increasingly linked to the stability of other regions of the world. The

current US defense strategy is to address sources of regional conflict

and instability with a visible, forward presence, and an effective

response to crises.

The Marine Corps will conduct public hearings starting Monday, July

19 to Thursday, July 22, 1999 for those individuals who would like to

provide comments on the DEIS. These hearings will be open sessions and

will allow individuals to review the data presented in the DEIS and at

displays provided for the hearing. Department of the Navy

representatives will be available during the hearing to answer

questions and/or clarify information related to the DEIS and to assist

those who wish to comment. Federal, state, and local agencies and

interested parties are invited and urged to be present or represented

at the hearing. Oral statements will be heard and transcribed by a

stenographer; however, to ensure the accuracy of the record, all

statements should be submitted in writing. In the interest of available

time and to ensure all who wish to give an oral statement have the

opportunity to do so, each speaker will be asked to limit their

comments to three (3) minutes. If longer statements are to be

presented, they should be summarized at the public hearing and

submitted in writing either at the hearing or mailed or faxed to Mr.

James Haluska at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this

notice. Equal weight will be given to both oral and written statements.

All written comments postmarked by August 9, 1999 will become a part of

the official public record and will be responded to in the Final

Environmental Impact Statement.

Dated: July 1, 1999.

Ralph W. Corey,

Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Alternate Federal

Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-17149 Filed 7-6-99; 8:45 am]

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