Saipan Tribune

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Monday, January 14, 2013

Navy open house for Marianas range complex draft EA

SANTA RITA, Guam-The U.S. Navy is inviting the public to attend open house information sessions for the Environmental Assessment/Overseas Environmental Assessment for the Mariana Islands Range Complex Airspace.

The Navy analyzed the potential environmental impacts from proposed modifications to military training airspace and sea space in the MIRC. Proposed modifications are needed to provide a safer and more efficient training environment and to maintain military readiness.

Two public open house information sessions will be held to inform the public about the proposed action and environmental issues analyzed, and to encourage the public to provide written and/or verbal comments on the Draft EA/OEA. During this time, Navy representatives will staff poster stations and be available to answer questions about the proposed action and the draft EA.

On Saipan, the open house information session will be held on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe, from 5pm to 8pm.

A similar session will held at the Leon Guerrero School of Business and Public Administration Building at the University of Guam on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, also from 5pm to 8pm.

Copies of the draft EA/OEA are available for public review online at www.MIRCAirspaceEA.com and at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library (Saipan); Tinian Public Library; and Rota Public Library.

A 45-day public comment period will be held from Dec. 20, 2012, to Feb. 4, 2013, to give the public an opportunity to provide input. Comments may be submitted online at www.MIRCAirspaceEA.com, at the open house information sessions or by mail to:

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific
Attention: Mariana Airspace EA/OEA Project Manager
258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100
Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134

All comments must be postmarked or received by Feb. 4, 2013, to be considered in the development of the Final EA/OEA.

The Navy analyzed the potential environmental impacts of three alternatives in the Draft EA/OEA:

NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE:

- Continue training as currently authorized and implemented by the 2010 MIRC Environmental Impact Statement /Overseas Environmental Impact Statement

ALTERNATIVE 1:

- Modify existing military airspace and establish new airspace for public safety and training efficiency by:

- Extending the Restricted Area (R-7201) at Farallon de Medinilla from 3 nautical miles to 12 nm and designate the new area as R-7201A

- Creating new Warning Areas and replace existing Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace

ALTERNATIVE 2:

- Modify and extend airspace as described under Alternative 1.

- Expand the sea space danger zone around FDM from the 10 nm distance analyzed in the MIRC EIS/OEIS to 12 nm.

For more information about the project, visit www.MIRCAirspaceEA.com.