EIS P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft

Subject: 29-08, 080331, USN Draft Environmental Impact Statement Public Hearing Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:51:51 -1000 From: binford.strickland@usmc.mil
<<29-08,>>

Greetings and Aloha!

USN Draft Environmental Impact Statement Public Hearing
MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Oahu - The Navy will conduct a public hearing Tuesday, April 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. at J. B. Castle High School, 45-386 Kaneohe Bay Dr, Kaneohe, Hawaii, to provide the public an opportunity to comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement to assess potential environmental consequences of the introduction of the P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft to the U.S. Navy fleet.

The hearing will be preceded by an information session from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at which the public may obtain information about the project and ask questions of Navy representatives in attendance.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii is one of the potential locations for the placement of the P-8A MMA aircraft. Although the Navy's preferred alternative would base three squadron's at MCB Hawaii, no decisions have been made at this time to determine if the P-8A MMA will in fact be stationed at MCB Hawaii.

The DEIS reviewed and assessed six basing options developed out of the need to replace retiring P-3C aircraft with the P-8A MMA at existing maritime patrol home bases. The Navy evaluated a range of alternatives based upon the number of squadrons to be based at each site, placement of the Fleet Replacement Squadron and the number of main operating bases. The DEIS evaluated potential environmental consequences to resources such as air quality, archeological/cultural resources, coastal considerations, noise, socioeconomics, threatened and endangered species, traffic, water quality and wetlands/floodplains.

Members of the public who would like to comment on the DEIS are encouraged to sign up to speak when they arrive at the hearing. Remarks will be limited to no more than three minutes to ensure everyone has an opportunity to be heard. If there is time remaining after all who signed up have spoken, speakers will be afforded the opportunity to continue their remarks.

The public may comment on the DEIS in five ways:
1 ) Attend the public hearing and fill out a comment sheet and drop it in the comment box
2 ) Attend the public hearing and provide verbal comments
3 ) Submit written comments through the mail by sending to: Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic Attn: MMA PM
6506 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23508-1278
4 ) Submit written comments through the internet by visiting the project website at http://www.mmaeis.com/ and using the 'Comments and Contact Information' link.
5 ) Submit written comments via FAX at (757) 322-4894.

All comments must be postmarked (if mailed) or received no later than April 25, 2008 in order to be considered in the Final EIS.

Very Respectfully, Binford R. Strickland, 1stLt,
U.S. Marine Corps Deputy Director, Public Affairs
Marine Corps Base Hawaii Office: (808) 257-8870 Fax: (808) 257-2511

'Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all.' -Sam Ewing

http://www.mcbh.usmc.mil/