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Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplement to the Hawaii Range Complex Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS/OEIS) for a Proposal To Enhance Training, Testing, and Operational Capability Within the Hawaii Range Complex (HRC)

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[Federal Register: January 17, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 12)]
[Notices]
[Page 3242-3243]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17ja08-36]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy

Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplement to the Hawaii Range
Complex Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental
Impact Statement (SDEIS/OEIS) for a Proposal To Enhance Training,
Testing, and Operational Capability Within the Hawaii Range Complex (HRC)

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy (DON) announces its intent to
prepare a Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS/OEIS) for the Hawaii
Range Complex (HRC). This SDEIS/OEIS will be focused on the methodology
used to analyze potential marine mammal behavioral effects related to
mid-frequency active sonar exposure. In addition, DON may make
adjustments to the alternatives.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 29, 2006, pursuant to section
102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as
implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR
parts 1500-1508), and Executive Order 12114 (Environmental Effects
Abroad of Major Federal Actions), the DON announced its intent to
prepare an EIS/OEIS for the HRC and invited the public to comment on
the scope of the EIS/OEIS (71 FR 51188). A DEIS/OEIS was subsequently
released on July 27, 2007, (72 FR 41324), which evaluated the potential
environmental effects of increasing usage and enhancing the
capabilities of the HRC to achieve and maintain Fleet readiness and to
conduct current, emerging, and future training and research,
development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities. As described in
the DEIS/OEIS at section 4.1.2.4.9, a dose function approach was used
to evaluate potential behavioral harassment of marine mammals
incidental to the use of mid-frequency active sonar during Navy
training and testing within the HRC. Since the release of the DEIS/OEIS
in July 2007, the DON, in cooperation with NMFS, has further refined
the dose function approach. Given the nature of these refinements, the
Navy has decided to prepare a SDEIS/OEIS to provide opportunity for
public review of the methodology. In addition, DON may make adjustments
to the alternatives.

[[Page 3243]]

    All public comments previously received during the July through
September 2007 DEIS/OEIS public review period on the dose function
approach and the marine mammals effects analysis are still valid and
will be considered in the SDEIS/OEIS and Final EIS/OEIS for this
action. Previously submitted comments need not be resubmitted. A notice
of availability of the SDEIS/OEIS and dates of the public hearings will
be published in the Federal Register at a later date. No decision will
be made to implement any alternative in the HRC until the EIS/OEIS
process is completed and a Record of Decision is signed by the DON.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Public Affairs Officer, Pacific
Missile Range Facility, Attention: HRC EIS/OEIS, P.O. Box 128, Kekaha,
Kauai, Hawaii 96752-0128. Voice mail 1-866-767-3347 or facsimile at
808-335-4520.

    Dated: January 14, 2008.
T.M. Cruz,
Lieutenant, Office of the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy, Federal
Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-796 Filed 1-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P

 
 

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