NMFS Biological Opinion on U.S. Navy training ... - Govsupport.us

FINAL PROGRAMMATIC BIOLOGICAL OPINION ON U.S. NAVY ACTIVITIES IN THE HAWAII RANGE COMPLEX 2008-2013
amphibious exrcises, using small arms with blanks. The landing craft and troops proceed to a designated area where
they stay 1 to 4 days. The backload operation takes place when actions on the objective are completed. The backload
is typically accomplished over a 2- to 3-day period.
The primary location for the amphibious landings is Majors Bay, PMRF, Kauai. Amphibious landings could also
occur at the K-Pier boat ramp, Kawaihae, Hawai’i, Marine Corps Base Hawai’i (three beaches), Marine Corps
Training Area Bellows portion of Bellows Air Force Station, Oahu, and at the K-Pier boat ramp, Kawaihae, Hawai’i.
These exercises typically occur over a 2- to 3-day period, with three separate exercises per RIMPAC, but could range
from 2 to 14 days, with one to four separate exercises.
Amphibious landings are restricted to specific areas of designated beaches. As described by the Navy, these
exercises would be conducted in compliance with Executive Order 13089, Coral Reef Protection. Before each major
amphibious landing exercise is conducted, a hydrographic survey will be performed to map out the precise transit
routes through sandy bottom areas. Within 1 hour of initiating landing activities, the landing routes and beach areas
would be determined to be clear of marine mammals and sea turtles. If any are seen, the exercise would be delayed
until the animals leave the area. During the landing the crews follow established procedures, such as having a
designated lookout watching for other vessels, obstructions to navigation, marine mammals (whales or monk seals),
or sea turtles. Other measures include publication of training overlays that identify the landing routes and any
restricted areas. Sensitive cultural resource areas are identified and bounded by a keep-out buffer. Where necessary,
pre-exercise surveys for turtles are conducted so their feeding and nesting areas would be avoided. Vehicles are
restricted to existing roads, trails, and other disturbed areas and would not traverse undisturbed, off-road areas where
they might harm vegetation or stimulate erosion. (U.S. Pacific Command, 1995a)
Submarine operations are designed to train Navy personnel in using active and passive sonar systems to find surface
ships and submarines, responding to simulated attacks using evasive maneuvering and countermeasures in deep and
shallow waters, and avoiding detection by submarine warfare weapon systems. Exercises include underway events,
Submarine Warfare Exercises (submarine versus submarine and submarine versus ship tracking), Range exercises
(torpedo firing exercises), and a Torpedo Training and Certification program conducted at the PMRF ranges.
Submarine operations would occur throughout much of the Hawai’i Operating Area. Weapon firing would mainly
occur in the PMRF Shallow Water Training Range, Barking Sands Tactical Underwater Range and Barking Sands
Underwater Range Expansion Ranges, and the training areas within the 100-fathom isobath contour between the
islands of Maui, Lanai, and Molokai, including Penguin Bank. Submarine operations would occur continuously
throughout RIMPAC although individual exercises typically last several hours to 7 days.
1.1.2 Undersea Warfare Exercises (USWEX)
The U.S. Navy plans to conduct up to five Undersea Warfare Exercises in the Hawai’i Range Complex from
December 2008 to December 2013. These exercises are advanced anti-submarine warfare exercises conducted by the
U.S. Navy’s Carrier Strike Groups and Expeditionary Strike Groups while in transit from the west coast of the
United States to the western Pacific Ocean.
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