NORFOLK, Va. –
The U.S. Navy has released the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) that analyzed potential impacts of providing facilities and functions to support the replacement of the C-2A Greyhound aircraft with the new CMV-22B Osprey (Navy V-22) aircraft at existing West and East Coast Fleet Logistics Centers Naval Air Station North Island, California, and Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.
The purpose of the proposed action is to provide the logistics support community the facilities and functions needed to support the replacement of the aging fixed-wing C-2A aircraft with the Navy V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft to meet operational demands and enhance the logistics support mission.
The Final EA summarizes the environmental effects of the proposed action, which includes replacing 27 legacy C-2A aircraft operated by existing fleet logistics support squadrons with 38 Navy V-22 aircraft operated by fleet logistics support multi-mission squadrons; establishing a Navy V-22 training squadron for pilots and aircrews; establishing a maintenance school; constructing, renovating, and maintaining facilities to accommodate squadron aircraft and personnel; making adjustments to personnel levels associated with the Navy V-22 training squadron and maintenance school; and conducting Navy V-22 flight training operations.
The Draft EA was made available for public review and comment from Jan. 4 through Feb. 26, 2018. During the review period, the Navy hosted public meetings in Norfolk, Virginia, and Coronado, California, on Jan. 18 and Feb. 7, respectively. All comments received were considered in preparing the Final EA. The Navy has also complied with all other applicable environmental laws.
Based on the findings presented in the Final EA, the Navy has determined that the proposed action through implementation of either alternative 1 or 2 would have no significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Therefore, preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been issued.
At this time, the Navy has not made a decision with respect to the ultimate location of the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). The Navy will announce that decision once it is made.
The Final EA and FONSI are available at the following website: http://www.public.navy.mil/usff/environmental/Pages/navy-v22.aspx, or at the following libraries:
- Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA
- San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA
- Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library, 3701 Voltaire Street, San Diego, CA
- Imperial Beach Branch Library, 810 Imperial Beach Boulevard, Imperial Beach, CA
- Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library, 111 West Ocean View Avenue, Norfolk, VA
- Groninger Library, 1313 Washington Boulevard, Fort Eustis, VA
- Chesapeake Public Library, 298 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA.