Environmental statements; notice of intent: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA; family housing construction,

[Federal Register: September 20, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 181)]

[Notices]

[Page 50795-50796]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr20se99-33]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Construction of Military Family Housing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, CA

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DOD.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the environmental effects of the development of suitable and affordable housing for enlisted military personnel and their families assigned to installations in the San Diego region.

DATES: Two public scoping meetings will be held to receive oral and written comments on the scope of the EIS. The first meeting will be held on October 6, 1999, at the Serra High School located at 5156 Santo Road, San Diego, California. The second meeting will be held on October 13, 1999, at the Scripps Ranch High School located at 10410 Treena Street, San Diego, California. Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Regional Planning Team, Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92132-5190.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sheila Donovan (Code 04PLR.sd), Regional Planning Team, Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, at telephone (619) 523-1253; fax (619) 532-3979; or e-mail at donovansm@efdsw.navfac. navy.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), the Department of the Navy announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the environmental effects of the development of suitable and affordable housing for enlisted military personnel and their families assigned to installations in the San Diego region. Navy is proposing the construction of up to 1600 MFH units and supporting infrastructure. The EIS will address alternative sites that meet MFH housing suitability factors. Currently, four possible sites on government property, all at MCAS Miramar, have been identified for study: (1) A 211 acre site located off Missile Road in the northwest portion of East MCAS Miramar; (2) a 268 acre site located in the southeast corner of East Miramar; (3) a 283 acre site located in the north central portion of East Miramar; and (4) a Main Station site of approximately 100 acres located in the northern portion of the Station adjacent to Miramar Road. While no suitable private sites have been identified based upon preliminary real estate reviews, suitable private sites identified during the scoping process will be considered in the EIS. The EIS will also evaluate the No Action Alternative that would provide for no further construction of MFH.

Preliminary MFH justification studies for the San Diego area estimate the current MFH deficit to be about 2,400 units. Current projections show the MFH deficit substantially increasing through Fiscal Year 2004. However, because of constraints such as funding and land availability, it is unlikely that the Navy would be able to eradicate the shortfall through military construction.

The EIS will evaluate the environmental effects associated with each of the alternatives. Issues to be addressed include, but are not limited to: geology and soils; biological resources; water resources and hydrology; traffic; cultural resources; air quality; public services and utilities; land use and aesthetics; noise; socio- economics; public health and safety; hazardous materials and wastes; and environmental justice. The analysis will include an evaluation of the direct, indirect, short-term, and cumulative impacts. No decision to implement any alternative, including the No Action Alternative, will be made until the NEPA process is complete.

Two public scoping meetings will be held to receive oral and written comments on the scope of the EIS. A brief presentation describing the proposed action, potential alternatives, and the NEPA process will precede the public's opportunity to comment relating to the scope of the EIS. Navy and Marine Corps representatives will be available at this meeting to receive comments from the public regarding issues of concern. Federal, state and local agencies, and any potentially affected Indian tribes as well as interested organizations and individuals, may take this opportunity to identify environmental concerns that they believe should be addressed during the preparation of the EIS. Agencies and the public are invited and encouraged to provide written comments in addition to, or in lieu of, oral comments at the public meeting. Written comments regarding the scope of the EIS may also be submitted to Regional Planning Team, Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92132-5190. To be most helpful, comments should clearly describe specific issues or topics that the commentor believes the EIS should address. Written comments must be postmarked no later than November 13, 1999.

[[Page 50796]]

Dated: September 8, 1999. J.L. Roth, Lieutenant Commander, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy, Federal Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-24314Filed9-17-99; 8:45 am]

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