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

COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Chapter 1Military installations and ranges used only for support activities and certain special warfare trainingevents associated with COMPTUEX and JTFEX training have been omitted from further consideration inthis EA/OEA because these activities do not present a potential to impact the environment due to theroutine nature of these activities. Ongoing activities on certain installations and ranges are addressed inenvironmental documents as described below. Based on the availability of improved science andquantitative methodologies to assess effects on marine resources, COMPTUEX and JTFEX trainingcomponents carried forward for analysis are those in the offshore marine environment and on establishedranges in the nearshore environment (see Figure 1.2-1). In addition, certain onshore activities arepresented and their analyses are summarized and incorporated by reference. The period of operations willbe February 2007 through January 2009.1.7 RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTSPreparation of this EA/OEA will rely on an extensive body of previous NEPA analysis pertaining to theactions and facilities used for COMPTUEX and JTFEX training. Many COMPTUEX and JTFEXtraining events are conducted on ranges that have existing NEPA documentation which cover theactivities that are undertaken during these exercises (as well as other activities on those ranges). Previousdocumentation relevant to this EA/OEA will be incorporated by reference in accordance with CEQregulations (40 C.F.R. 1502.21). Table 2.1-1 in Chapter 2 provides a list of documents incorporated byreference within this EA/OEA. In addition, where specific environmental documentation was used for theanalyses, those documents are referenced in that discussion.1.8 PUBLIC COMMENTThe environmental issues analyzed in this EA/OEA have been the subject of public involvement forsimilar Navy training activities. The Navy considered the scope and content of prior public comments toshape the environmental impacts analysis as well as issues identified and studied within in this EA/OEA:The marine mammal mid-frequency active sonar acoustic effect methodology incorporates anapproach developed in coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) forthe proposed Undersea Warfare Training Range (USWTR) Draft Environmental ImpactStatement/Draft Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (U.S. Navy, 2005). Based onpublic comment and additional comment from NMFS received in response to the USWTRDEIS, the methodology for assessing potential non-physiological behavioral effect to marinemammals was substantially revised and described in the EA/OEA and the MMPA IncidentalHarassment Authorization (IHA) for the Navy’s 2006 Rim of the Pacific exercise. (U.S. Navy,2006, NMFS, 2006).A robust description of all aspects of the training exercises, including the use of ordnance forcertain training events, is provided in this EA/OEA in response to public comments receivedon the RIMPAC EA/OEA. In addition, a more detailed analysis of pinnipeds is appropriatehere based on the marine resources present in the Southern California offshore environs.In consideration of public comments raised, in particular during USWTR, a detailed analysisof the potential acoustic effects to fish is analyzed in this EA/OEA. During the USWTRpublic comment process, extensive public comments were received regarding potentialfisheries effects and a substantial portion of these comments related to range access issues.USWTR is a proposed instrumented range; in contrast, the instrumented ranges in thesouthern California range complex have been in existence for decades, and the range1-7 February 2007