Composite Training Unit Exercises and Joint Task ... - Govsupport.us

COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Chapter 4CHAPTER 4ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCESThis chapter describes the potential environmental consequences that would be expected to occur as aresult of implementation of the No Action Alternative and the Proposed Action. After the impactsanalysis was completed, the results indicate that the impacts associated with the No Action do notsignificantly differ from the impacts associated with the Proposed Action. Based on the results of theimpact analysis presented in the EA/OEA, the No Action Alternative does not significantly differ fromimpacts associated with the Proposed Action. They are fundamentally the same because:The sum total number and type of training activity is the same for both alternatives,Two concurrent exercises do not result in an additive effect on resources because the twoevents would occur in geographically separate areas, andCoordinated COMPTUEX/JTFEX events would rely on resources from separate StrikeGroups working in tandem to support a shared objective.The Proposed Action facilitates Commander, THIRD Fleet’s ability to support the Strike Group readinessobjective outlined in the FRTP. The No Action Alternative does not support this flexibility. Because thenet effects between the two Alternatives do not differ, the analysis presented in this chapter represents thepotential impacts associated with either the No Action Alternative or the Proposed Action.Environmental consequences are addressed by resource area as characterized in Chapter 3, AffectedEnvironment. Section 2.1, discussed several documents that have been incorporated by reference into thisEA/OEA because the actions addressed are applicable to the No Action and the Proposed Action. Foreach of the resource areas, the description of environmental consequences addresses the ocean areas andland areas within the SOCAL OPAREA. For the PMSR, only marine mammal impacts associated withsonar use are analyzed in this chapter because all other COMPTUEX/JTFEX activities have beenpreviously analyzed in the Final EIS/OEIS for the Point Mugu Sea Range (U.S. Navy, 2002b).4.1 AIR QUALITYPotential impacts to air quality from COMPTUEX/JTFEX activities could result from missile/aircraftexhaust, marine vessel exhaust, and emissions from ordnance use.The evaluation of potential air quality impacts includes two separate analyses for the reasons identifiedbelow:National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) air quality analysis will assess the impact of airpollutant emissions from COMPTUEX/JTFEX activities for those effects occurring withinU.S. Territory (i.e., activities occurring within 12 nm of shore). The NEPA analysis includesa Clean Air Act (CAA) General Conformity Analysis in order to make an applicabilitydetermination pursuant to the General Conformity Rule (40 C.F.R. § 93[B]), by focusing onoperations that could potentially impact nonattainment areas within the Region of Influence(ROI). The NEPA analysis also includes an evaluation of potential exposures to toxic airpollutant emissions.Executive Order (EO) 12114 air quality analysis will assess the impact of air pollutantemissions from proposed COMPTUEX/JTFEX activities for those effects occurring outsideU.S. Territory. The EO-compliant analysis involves estimating emissions generated from theproposed activities and assessing potential impacts on air quality outside U.S. Territory.4-1 February 2007