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Publication of the
Notice of Availability (NOA) and Public Meetings
in the Federal Register on November 10, 2011,
will initiate a 45-day public comment period.
During this period, five public comment meetings
are scheduled to share information and to
receive oral and written comments on the
Draft EIS. In addition to meeting the public
involvement requirements of NEPA and the
National Historic Preservation Action (NHPA),
these public comment meetings will provide
opportunities for input in accordance with NHPA
Section 106.
A copy of the Draft EIS and its appendices are
available among the "Documents" menu above,
along with the NOA, the Notice of Intent and
fact sheet, and can also be found at the public
libraries listed on this website. Please submit comments at a public meeting or on this website (select “Contact” on the menu and submit your comments via email to the MV-22/H-1 EIS Project Manager), or send comments by mail to:
Department of the Navy Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific 258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100 Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134 ATTN: EV21, MV-22/H-1 EIS Project Manager.
Comments must be received or postmarked by December 26, 2011.
Project Overview
On behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), that evaluates environmental consequences that may result from the basing and training of MV-22 tiltrotor Osprey aircraft and
H-1 Cobra and Huey attack/utility helicopters in support of Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) elements in Hawaii. Because aviation training would occur on land currently owned or controlled by the Department of the Army, the Army is a cooperating agency in this NEPA process.
 The proposed action includes: (1) basing and operating of up to two Marine Medium Tiltrotor (VMM) squadrons (up to 24 MV-22 aircraft) and one Marine Light Attack Helicopter (HMLA) squadron (27 H-1 aircraft) in Hawaii, (2) constructing and renovating facilities to accommodate
and maintain the squadrons; and (3) conducting
aviation training, readiness, and special
exercise operations at training facilities
located statewide. Approximately 1,000 active duty personnel, 22 civilian personnel, and 1,106 dependents would be associated with the VMM and HMLA squadrons.
As a result of a systematic analysis to identify possible basing locations, only Marine Corps Base (MCB) Hawaii Kaneohe Bay met all requirements, and the alternatives evaluated in this EIS are facility siting alternatives at that installation. The facility siting alternatives include Alternative A, which proposes all facilities on the southeast side of the MCB Hawaii Kaneohe Bay runway, and Alternative B, which proposes VMM facilities on the northwest side of the run-way at West Field. In Alternative B, a runway underpass would pro-vide access to West Field. New bachelor enlisted quarters (BEQ) would be developed in each alternative, with different options for demolition and new construction between alternatives. Construction is proposed to improve existing facilities at three training areas: Marine Corps Training Area Bellows (MCTAB) on the island of Oahu, Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the island of Hawaii, and Molokai Training Support Facility (MTSF). Aviation training activities would be identical in Alternatives A and B. A No Action Alternative provides a benchmark to evaluate environmental consequences of the proposed action alternatives. Under No Action, the VMM and HMLA squadrons would not be based in Hawaii and no facilities would be constructed to support them.
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Public
Meetings
Public meetings will be held to obtain comments on the EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and to meet public involvement requirements pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
Island of
Hawaii
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Waimea Elementary School Cafeteria
67-1225 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela, HI 5:30-6:30 PM: NHPA Sec 106
input
6:30-8:30 PM: Open house
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Hilo Intermediate School Cafeteria
587 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI
4:30-5:30 PM: NHPA Sec 106 input
5:30-7:30 PM: Open house
Island of Oahu
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Mililani Middle School Cafeteria
95-1140 Lehiwa Dr., Mililani, HI
5:30-6:30 PM: NHPA Sec 106 input
6:30-8:30 PM: Open house
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate School Cafeteria
41-1330 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 5:30-6:30 PM: NHPA Sec 106 input
6:30-8:30 PM: Open house
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Castle High School Cafeteria
45-386 Kaneohe Bay Dr., Kaneohe, HI 5:30-6:30 PM: NHPA Sec 106 input
6:30-8:30 PM: Open house
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