16 May 2024
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN (INRMP) FOR THE PACIFIC MISSLE RANGE FACILITY (PMRF) COMPLEX ON THE ISLANDS OF KAUA’I, O’AHU, NI’IHAU AND KA’ULA, HAWAI’I
Pursuant to Section 102 (2) (c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 1500-1508) implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA, the United States (U.S.) Department of Navy (DON) gives notice that a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) has been prepared and that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required for the revision of the 2010 Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) for the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) Complex on the islands of Kaua’i, O’ahu, Ni’ihau and Ka’ula, Hawai’i.
The purpose of the 2023 PMRF INRMP is to update and revise the management of natural resources on PMRF administered and leased lands as described in the 2010 PMRF INRMP to include species listed under the Endangered Species Act since 2010, and to implement an approach for natural resources management that is consistent with the Sikes Act, as amended (16 U.S. Code [USC] 670a), and the most recent Department of Defense (DoD) and DON policy and guidance regarding INRMPs. Both the INRMP and the natural resources management programs must include a management approach consistent with mission support (as defined in 10 USC section 5062), multipurpose use, integration, ecosystem- or landscape-level management, and environmental compliance and stewardship objectives.
The DEA evaluates the potential environmental impacts on geology and soils, water resources, climate change, terrestrial biological resources, marine biological resources, cultural resources, land use, and outdoor recreation associated with implementing the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative.
The Proposed Action is to implement the 2023 PMRF INRMP. This alternative represents an update to management of resources found on PMRF with the intent to provide a conservation benefit to existing and recently federally listed species.
Under the No Action Alternative, the Proposed Action would not occur, natural resources would continue to be managed as characterized in the 2010 PMRF INRMP, and PMRF would continue to implement applicable regulatory requirements. This alternative represents the status quo and is used to analyze the consequences of not undertaking the Proposed Action. The No Action Alternative would not meet the purpose and need for the Proposed Action; however, as required by NEPA, the No Action Alternative is carried forward for analysis in this EA.
Hard copies of the DEA, 2023 PMRF INRMP, and 2010 PMRF INRMP may be viewed at Waimea Public Library, Lihue Public Library, and Kapaa Public Library. Electronic copies of all documents are available at: https://pacific.navfac.navy.mil/About-Us/National-Environmental-Policy-Act-NEPA-Information. Written comments on the INRMP and DEA may be provided by mail to: ATTN: Public Works/ NR INRMP, Pacific Missile Range Facility/ P.O. BOX 128/ Kekaha, HI 96752, or by email to: navfachinaturalr.fct@navy.mil. Written comments must be received or postmarked by June 15, 2024 to be considered. To confirm comments are received, please set your email options to receive a read receipt.
The inherent graphical nature and age of these appendices documents make compliance with ADA and Section 508 accessibility difficult and therefore do not fully meet the requirements. If you use assistive technology and the format of these appendices and references prevent you from obtaining necessary data, please contact the navfachinaturalr.fct@navy.mil for other technical assistance.
(TGI1454896 5/16, 5/17, 5/18/24)
