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

COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Chapter 4impact would be significant if the Navy’s flight activities degrade the FAA’s ability to control air trafficin the SOCAL OPAREA or provide necessary safety of flight services.Impacts on vessel traffic are of concern if the flow of commercial surface shipping or recreationalfishing/boating is seriously disrupted. A serious disruption occurs when a vessel is precluded fromreaching its destination; however, the need to use alternate routes to reach a destination does no constitutea serious disruption.4.8.1 Ocean Area (Southern California Operating Area)COMPTUEX/JTFEX activities under the No Action Alternative and Proposed Action include activitiesthat are and have been routinely conducted in the area for decades.The FAA has established Warning Areas for military operations. When military aircraft are conductingoperations that are not compatible with civilian activity (e.g., weapons firing), the military aircraft areconfined to Warning Areas that are specifically designated for this purpose. Hazardous air operations arecommunicated to commercial airlines and general aviation by NOTAMS published by the FAA. Noadditional impacts on FAA’s capabilities would be created.Military use of the offshore ocean is also compatible with civilian use. Where naval vessels areconducting operations that are not compatible with other uses (e.g., hazardous weapons firing), they areconfined to operations areas away from shipping lanes. Hazardous operations are communicated to allvessels and operators by use of NOTMARs published by the Coast Guard.Since the majority of COMPTUEX/JTFEX activities are located within the charted, designated militaryexercise boundaries, there would be minimal potential for conflict with non-military shipping. Onlyweapons-related activities are exclusive use, and these times are scheduled and broadcast by each rangethrough a NOTMAR and NOTAM, or publication on a webpage. The offshore areas are outside of themain shipping lanes, and access restrictions are announced in advance of operations in order that thepublic may adjust their routes away from the military training activities. Therefore, no significantimpacts would occur as a result of implementation of the No Action Alternative or Proposed Action.4.8.2 Land Areas4.8.2.1 San Clemente IslandCOMPTUEX/JTFEX activities are currently conducted at SCIRC. There is no road network, in aregional context, on SCI. SCI is owned by the Navy, and the small numbers of vehicles on the island areroutinely subject to controls needed to accommodate military training activities. Therefore, no significantimpacts to surface transportation would occur as a result of implementation of the No Action Alternativeor Proposed Action.4.8.2.2 Naval Base Coronado - SSTCCOMPTUEX/JTFEX training activities are currently conducted at NB Coronado and are confined to theexisting range areas. No increase in the overall tempo of training activity at NB Coronado is proposed.Therefore, no significant impacts to the surface transportation network at NB Coronado would occur as aresult of implementation of the No Action Alternative or Proposed Action.4.9 PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETYCOMPTUEX/JTFEX training activities with a potential effect on public health and safety include aircraftoperations, vessel movement, munitions handling/storage and weapons usage. These activities are strictly4-89 February 2007