Managing VoluminousManaging VoluminousPublic CommentsPublic Comments

April 7, 2004April 7, 2004

Managing VoluminousManaging VoluminousPublic CommentsPublic Comments

April 7, 2004April 7, 2004Presented by:Presented by:

Peggy Farrell, Peggy Farrell, Ecology and Environment, Inc. (E & E)Ecology and Environment, Inc. (E & E)Presented by:Presented by:

Peggy Farrell, Peggy Farrell, Ecology and Environment, Inc. (E & E)Ecology and Environment, Inc. (E & E)

Co-authors:Co-authors: Dan Cecchini, Dan Cecchini, DoN, Atlantic DivisionDoN, Atlantic Division Jone Guerin, Jone Guerin, E & EE & E Andy Mehalick, Andy Mehalick, E & EE & E

Co-authors:Co-authors: Dan Cecchini, Dan Cecchini, DoN, Atlantic DivisionDoN, Atlantic Division Jone Guerin, Jone Guerin, E & EE & E Andy Mehalick, Andy Mehalick, E & EE & E

Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Impact Statement for the Introduction of for the Introduction of

F/A-18 E/F (Super Hornet) Aircraft F/A-18 E/F (Super Hornet) Aircraft to the East Coast of the United Statesto the East Coast of the United States

Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Impact Statement for the Introduction of for the Introduction of

F/A-18 E/F (Super Hornet) Aircraft F/A-18 E/F (Super Hornet) Aircraft to the East Coast of the United Statesto the East Coast of the United States

Department of the NavyDepartment of the NavyDepartment of the NavyDepartment of the Navy

Description of the ProjectDescription of the ProjectDescription of the ProjectDescription of the Project

• Homebasing of 10 Super Hornet fleet Homebasing of 10 Super Hornet fleet squadrons (130 squadrons (130 aircraft) and the Fleet Replacement Squadron (32 aircraft) and the Fleet Replacement Squadron (32 aircraft)aircraft)

• Replacement of Tomcat and earlier model Hornet Replacement of Tomcat and earlier model Hornet aircraftaircraft

• Construction of support facilities:Construction of support facilities:– Aircraft support (hangars, runways, refueling, etc.) Aircraft support (hangars, runways, refueling, etc.)

– MaintenanceMaintenance

– TrainingTraining

– Personnel support (medical, dental, etc.)Personnel support (medical, dental, etc.)

– HousingHousing

AlternativesAlternativesAlternativesAlternatives

• No actionNo action

• Single site Single site

• Dual siteDual site

• OLFsOLFs

Single-Site AlternativesSingle-Site AlternativesSingle-Site AlternativesSingle-Site Alternatives

• Existing MCAS Beaufort assets transfer to MCAS Cherry Point – 88 aircraft

MCAS Beaufort

ALT 3• 10 Fleet squadrons and FRS

to MCAS Beaufort– 162 aircraft

MCAS Cherry Point

ALT 2• 10 Fleet squadrons and FRS to MCAS Cherry Point – 162 aircraft

NAS Oceana

• 10 Fleet squadrons and FRS to NAS Oceana – 162 aircraft

ALT 1

Dual-Site AlternativesDual-Site AlternativesDual-Site AlternativesDual-Site Alternatives

ALT ALT ALT ALT ALT Base 4A 4B 5A 5B 6

NAS Oceana 6 + FRS 6 + FRS 4 0 8 + FRS

MCAS Cherry Point 4 0 6 + FRS 6 + FRS 2

MCAS Beaufort 0 4 0 4 0

OLF Site AlternativesOLF Site AlternativesOLF Site AlternativesOLF Site Alternatives

No ActionNo ActionNo ActionNo Action

• Baseline for alternatives comparisonBaseline for alternatives comparison

• No new or expanded facilities No new or expanded facilities constructionconstruction

• No increase or decrease of functional No increase or decrease of functional capacity at any homebase sitecapacity at any homebase site

EIS TimelineEIS TimelineEIS TimelineEIS Timeline

• ScopingScoping June to August 2000June to August 2000

• Draft EISDraft EIS August 2, 2002August 2, 2002

• Public HearingsPublic Hearings August to Sept. 2002August to Sept. 2002

• Final EISFinal EIS July 2003July 2003

• RODROD September 3, 2003September 3, 2003

Why Controversial?Why Controversial?Why Controversial?Why Controversial?

• Action Involved Five StatesAction Involved Five States

• Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts

– Aircraft NoiseAircraft Noise

– Air QualityAir Quality

– WildlifeWildlife

• Environmental BenefitsEnvironmental Benefits

Results of Public HearingsResults of Public HearingsResults of Public HearingsResults of Public Hearings

Over 5,000 written and verbal comments, including:Over 5,000 written and verbal comments, including:

• Handwritten LettersHandwritten Letters

• Typed LettersTyped Letters

• E-mailsE-mails

• Post CardsPost Cards

• Form LettersForm Letters

• PetitionsPetitions

• Comment SheetsComment Sheets

• TranscriptsTranscripts

Who Provided Comments?Who Provided Comments?Who Provided Comments?Who Provided Comments?

• RepresentativesRepresentatives

• Regulatory AgenciesRegulatory Agencies

• MunicipalitiesMunicipalities

• Business OwnersBusiness Owners

• Citizen GroupsCitizen Groups

• CitizensCitizens

Benefits of the SystemBenefits of the SystemBenefits of the SystemBenefits of the System

• Multiple usersMultiple users

• Searchable dataSearchable data

• Unique codes eliminated duplicatesUnique codes eliminated duplicates

• Frequently used responses could be Frequently used responses could be modified in the database and modified in the database and automatically changed throughoutautomatically changed throughout

• Data stored in one place and used directly Data stored in one place and used directly for reportingfor reporting

ConclusionConclusionConclusionConclusion

• Required start-up costs associated with Required start-up costs associated with the web site and system designthe web site and system design

• The system was updated throughout the The system was updated throughout the project to make it more usefulproject to make it more useful

• The system template has been used on The system template has been used on two other projects and start-up is limited two other projects and start-up is limited to two days eachto two days each

• If you are expecting voluminous If you are expecting voluminous comments, this system is essentialcomments, this system is essential