SAN DIEGO –
The U.S. Navy has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) for the Southern California (SOCAL) Range Complex, an offshore area used extensively for military training for more than 70 years.
The Navy is accepting comments throughout the 45-day comment period, from April 4 through May 19, 2008. All written comments must be received during the comment period to be considered in the Final EIS/OEIS.
Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments online at www.SOCALRangeComplexEIS.com where the document is also available for download.
Submit comments via the project Web site, provide oral or written comments at the public hearings, or submit comments by mail to:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, Attention: SOCAL EIS Project Manager (REVPO), 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92132.
The Navy encourages the public to attend an open house and public hearing on the Draft EIS/OEIS. Public hearings will be held at the following locations:
Oceanside
Date: April 29, 2008
Open House: 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Hearing: 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Oceanside Civic Center Library, Community Rooms, 330 N. Cost Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054
Long Beach
Date: May 1, 2008
Open House: 5 to 9:9:30 p.m.
Hearing: 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Long Beach Public Library Auditorium, 101 Pacific Ave., Civic Center Plaza Long Beach, CA 90822
Coronado
Date: April 30, 2008
Open House: 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Hearing: 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA 92118
The public hearings have two main objectives: to inform the public about the Navy's Proposed Action and to obtain written and oral comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS for consideration in the final document.
During the open house session, Navy representatives will be available to answer questions related to the Draft EIS/OEIS.
During the public hearing session, the Navy will present background information on the SOCAL Range Complex and the Draft EIS/OEIS. The public will have the opportunity to provide oral comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS, which will be recorded by a stenographer for the official record.
Background: The SOCAL Range Complex, located off the coast of Southern California, is the principal training venue for the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet. The range complex provides vital training for naval forces prior to deployments. The Navy proposes to support current, emerging and future military activities in the SOCAL Range Complex to achieve and sustain fleet readiness. Three alternatives are analyzed in the Draft EIS/OEIS. Under the No Action Alternative, military activities would continue at current levels. Alternatives 1 and 2 propose increased military activity. Alternative 2 also proposes enhancements to range infrastructure.
The Navy is preparing the EIS/OEIS to comprehensively evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with conducting current and future naval readiness activities within the SOCAL Range Complex.
The EIS/OEIS is being developed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions.
Visit www.SOCALRangeComplexEIS.com for more project information.