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Notice #: 05526534
Public Notices

Notice of Intent to publish an Environmental Impact Statement
and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings


The Department of the Navy (Navy) is planning to replace the existing P-3 Orion aircraft with the P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA). The Navy will introduce a total of 84 aircraft with the first aircraft introduction in 2011.

The Navy will be preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) evaluating the effects of training operations, new base facility construction, and relocation of military personnel at each possible receiving or detachment site.

The Navy is currently evaluating the following locations as possible receiving or detachment sites: Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida; NAS Whidbey Island, Washington; Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay or Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; plus a training detachment site at NAS North Island, California.

Federal, state, and local agencies, and interested persons are encouraged to provide written correspondence to the Navy identifying environmental concerns that should be addressed in the EIS for the P-8A MMA. To be most helpful, scoping comments should clearly describe specific issues or topics. The deadline for receiving comments is March 2, 2007.

The Navy will hold public scoping meetings for interested persons to review information on the proposed action and provide comments. Facilities will be open between the hours of 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. There will be no formal presentation. All information will be provided as visual displays in an open house forum and representatives will be available to respond to questions. The dates and locations of the scoping meetings are as follows:

January 11, 2007 February 8, 2007
Jacksonville, Florida Coronado, California
Holiday Inn, Orange Park City of Coronado Library
150 Park Avenue 640 Orange Avenue
Orange Park, FL 32073 Coronado, CA 92118

January 18, 2007 February 15, 2007
Honolulu, Hawaii Whidbey Island, Washington
Pacific Beach Hotel Oak Harbor School District Board Room
2490 Kalakaua Avenue 3500 S. Oak Harbor Street
Honolulu, HI 96815 Oak Harbor, WA 98277

There are four ways to provide written comments:
1) Fill out a comment sheet and drop it in the comment box at one of the above meetings.
2) Submit your comments through the mail by sending to:
Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic
6506 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23508-1278
Attn: MMA PM
3) Visit the project website at www.MMAEIS.com for further information or to provide written comments.
4) Provide written comments via FAX at (757) 322-4894.

All comments must be postmarked (if mailed) or received no later than March 2, 2007. (SB05526534 12/28/06, 1/14/07, 1/18/07)