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SCOPING MEETING
For more information, visit the project website at www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
NAS OCEANA STRIKE FIGHTER TRANSITION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia Beach, Virginia
Wednesday, September 30, 2015 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Centerville Baptist Church 908 Centerville Turnpike, SouthChesapeake, VA 23322
Tuesday, September 29, 2015 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Columbian Club1236 Prosperity Road Virginia Beach, VA 23451
NOTES
1
NAS OCEANA STRIKE FIGHTER TRANSITION ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia Beach, Virginia
Welcome
For more information, visit the project website at www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
Learn about the project • Ask questions • Submit comments
SCOPING MEETING September 29 and 30, 2015
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Open HouseFormat
Station 1 Project Overview
Welcome (Sign In Table)
Station 4 About NAS Oceana
Station 5 Aircraft Noise
Station 3 FA-18 Hornet
and Super Hornet
Station 2 NEPA
Station 6 Public Involvement
and Scoping
2
SCOPING MEETING
LOCA
TION
NAS
OCEA
NA
•
The
Navy
’s E
ast C
oast
Mas
ter J
et B
ase
•
Hom
e to
the
Navy
’s E
ast C
oast
Hor
net
and
Supe
r Hor
net s
quad
rons
•
NALF
Fen
tres
s:
- Pr
imar
y ai
rfiel
d fo
r FCL
P fo
r Hor
nets
and
Su
per H
orne
ts b
ased
at N
AS O
cean
a
- Lo
cate
d in
Che
sape
ake,
Virg
inia
, abo
ut 7
mile
s
sout
hwes
t of N
AS O
cean
a
PURP
OSE
AND
NEED
To p
rovi
de n
ewer
, mor
e ca
pabl
e, a
nd m
ore
relia
ble
airc
raft
to th
e NA
S Oc
eana
-bas
ed s
trik
e fig
hter
com
mun
ity u
sing
exi
stin
g Su
per H
orne
ts
Horn
ets
are
reac
hing
the
end
of th
eir s
ervi
ce li
fe
PROP
OSED
ACT
ION
Tran
sitio
n Na
val A
ir St
atio
n (N
AS) O
cean
a-ba
sed
FA-1
8 Ho
rnet
airc
raft
to
FA-
18 S
uper
Hor
net a
ircra
ft:
•
One-
for-
one
repl
acem
ent i
n pl
ace:
no
addi
tiona
l airc
raft
•
No c
hang
e in
ope
ratio
ns
•
Horn
ets
and
Supe
r Hor
nets
bas
ed a
t NAS
Oce
ana
use
the
sam
e co
urse
rule
s an
d st
anda
rd p
roce
dure
s fo
r ope
ratio
ns a
t the
mai
n ba
se o
r Nav
al A
uxili
ary
Land
ing
Fiel
d (N
ALF)
Fen
tres
s, a
nd w
ill
cont
inue
to d
o so
follo
win
g th
e tr
ansi
tion
The
envi
ronm
enta
l stu
dy w
ill in
clud
e a
com
preh
ensi
ve e
xam
inat
ion
and
anal
ysis
of N
AS O
cean
a op
erat
ions
incl
udin
g:
•
Oper
atio
ns a
t mai
n ba
se
•
Fiel
d Ca
rrie
r Lan
ding
Pra
ctic
e (F
CLP)
ope
ratio
ns a
t NAL
F Fe
ntre
ss
ENVI
RONM
ENTA
L IM
PACT
STA
TEM
ENT
SCHE
DULE
Notic
e of
Inte
nt(S
epte
mbe
r 10,
201
5)
WE
ARE
HERE
Publ
ic S
copi
ng P
erio
d(S
epte
mbe
r 10-
Octo
ber 2
6, 2
015)
Notic
e of
Ava
ilabi
lity
of
Draf
t EIS
(201
7)Pu
blic
/Age
ncy
Com
men
t Pe
riod
45 D
ays
(201
7)No
tice
of A
vaila
bilit
y of
Fi
nal E
IS (2
018)
Wai
ting
Perio
d(3
0 Da
ys)
Reco
rd o
f Dec
isio
n(2
018)
For m
ore
info
rmat
ion,
vis
it th
e pr
ojec
t web
site
at w
ww
.oce
anas
trik
efigh
tere
is.c
om
Proj
ect
Ove
rvie
w
NA
S O
cean
a
¯0
36
1.5
Mile
s
NA
LF F
entr
ess
Atla
ntic
Oce
an
Supe
r Ho
rnet
s ha
ve b
een
oper
atin
g at
NAS
Oce
ana
sinc
e 20
04
Supe
r Hor
net
NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EIS – www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
Project Overview
What is the Navy Proposing?
The Navy is proposing to transition six Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana-based Hornet squadrons and the NAS Oceana-based Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) from Hornet aircraft to Super Hornet aircraft. The FRS already has Super Hornet aircraft and only its remaining Hornet aircraft would be replaced; see the FA-18 Hornet and Super Hornet factsheet for more information on those aircraft. The transition would occur in place at NAS Oceana and would be a one-for-one aircraft replacement.
Since Super Hornet flight training is nearly identical to Hornet flight training, the type and quantity of flight training operations at NAS Oceana, Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Fentress, and the local operating areas are not expected to be affected by the proposed transition and the subsequent retirement of the Hornet.
Other than minor modifications to aircraft auxiliary power utilities in hangars, and installation of Super Hornet-compatible electrical distribution on the flight line, no major construction or facility modifications are planned.
Where Would the Proposed Action Take Place?
The proposed action would take place at NAS Oceana, in Virginia Beach, VA. No activities are proposed outside NAS Oceana.
However, the EIS will analyze the full range of aircraft operations at the installation, including field carrier landing practice (FCLP) operations conducted by NAS Oceana aircraft at NALF
Super Hornet Aircraft
Super Hornet launching from USS Abraham Lincoln
Fentress. NALF Fentress is located in the City of Chesapeake, approximately seven miles to the southwest of NAS Oceana.
When would the Proposed Action Take Place?
The proposed transition would take place as Super Hornet aircraft become available. It would begin no earlier than 2018.
Why is the Navy Proposing this Action?
Hornet aircraft, like all other military aircraft, have a maximum amount of allowable flight hours before they must be retired. The transition at NAS Oceana is required because, since 2002, Hornet aircraft have been used at higher rates than projected in support of world-wide operations. This has rapidly accelerated the date at which Hornet aircraft will reach the end of their service life and need to be retired. While the Navy plan was to replace Hornet aircraft with F-35C Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft, entry of the JSF into the Navy inventory has been delayed and will not be available for basing on the East Coast before the current inventory of Hornet aircraft based at NAS Oceana is retired.
The combination of the accelerated retirement of the Hornet aircraft and delays in the availability of replacement JSF aircraft warrants an interim measure to ensure the requisite number of strike fighter aircraft remains at NAS Oceana to meet operational and training needs. The proposed interim measure is to transition Hornet aircraft to Super Hornet aircraft that are currently
3
SCOPING MEETING
0615NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EIS – www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
Project Overview (continued)
available elsewhere in the Navy inventory beginning in 2018. No other CVN-capable strike fighter aircraft exists to cover the delay in the introduction of the JSF.
CVN refers to a class of aircraft carriers, namely nuclear-powered carriers. The USS ENTERPRISE [CVN-65] was the first such carrier. The Navy’s 10 Nimitz-class CVNs are the largest warships in the world. The next class, The USS GERALD R. FORD, is being developed and is slated for delivery in 2016.
Would the Number of Strike Fighter Aircraft at NAS Oceana Change After the Proposed Action is Implemented?
The proposed action is a one-for-one replacement. Therefore, it would not by itself change the number of aircraft based at NAS Oceana. However, as part of a separate and independent action, the Navy has proposed the relocation of two Super Hornet squadrons from NAS Oceana to NAS Lemoore, CA.
An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared for that action in 2011. The departure of these two squadrons is anticipated to overlap with the implementation of the proposed transition. As a result, by the time the transition is complete, there would be fewer strike fighter aircraft at NAS Oceana than there are currently.
Is the Navy Considering Alternatives for this Proposed Action?
NEPA requires federal agencies to consider and analyze reasonable alternatives to their proposed actions in their NEPA documents. The Navy is currently determining if there are reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. If no reasonable alternatives are identified, the environmental impact statement (EIS) will analyze the impacts of the No Action Alternative and the proposed action only.
Analysis of the No Action Alternative in the EIS is required by NEPA. The No Action Alternative will be defined as a continuation of existing conditions for the foreseeable future. The Navy would not transition six NAS Oceana-based Hornet squadrons and the NAS Oceana-based FRS from Hornet aircraft to Super Hornet aircraft. While the No Action Alternative does not meet the purpose of and need for the proposed action, it serves as a baseline against which impacts from the proposed action can be evaluated.
The proposed action will ensure the Navy meets its mission to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas.
4
5
Publ
ic S
copi
ng P
erio
d (S
epte
mbe
r 10
- Oc
tobe
r 26,
201
5)
NEPA
IS T
HE P
ROCE
SS T
O EV
ALUA
TE
ENVI
RONM
ENTA
L IM
PACT
S OF
FE
DERA
L AC
TION
S
EXAM
ININ
G PO
TENT
IAL
IMPA
CTS
SCOP
ING
EIS
PROC
ESS
FOR
NAS
OCEA
NA S
TRIK
E FI
GHTE
R TR
ANSI
TION
Publ
ic p
artic
ipat
ion
is a
key
par
t of t
he p
roce
ssFo
r mor
e in
form
atio
n, v
isit
the
proj
ect w
ebsi
te a
t ww
w.o
cean
astr
ikefi
ghte
reis
.com
Nat
iona
l En
viro
nmen
tal
Poli
cy A
ct (
NEP
A)
Desc
ribes
pos
itive
and
neg
ativ
e co
nseq
uenc
es o
f pro
pose
d ac
tions
, pr
omot
ing
fully
-inf
orm
ed d
ecis
ion
mak
ing
Supp
orts
the
enha
ncem
ent o
f the
env
ironm
ent a
nd e
ncou
rage
s go
od
plan
ning
pra
ctic
es
The
Envi
ronm
enta
l Im
pact
Sta
tem
ent (
EIS)
info
rms
the
Secr
etar
y of
the
Navy
’s d
ecis
ion
The
EIS
will
eva
luat
e po
tent
ial e
nviro
nmen
tal i
mpa
cts
to n
umer
ous
reso
urce
s, s
uch
as:
•
Nois
e
•
Air Q
ualit
y
•
Safe
ty
•
Com
mun
ities
and
Soc
ioec
onom
ics
•
Wat
er R
esou
rces
•
Biol
ogic
al R
esou
rces
•
Cultu
ral R
esou
rces
Scop
ing
is a
n ea
rly-s
tage
mee
ting
in th
e NE
PA p
roce
ss to
gat
her i
nitia
l pu
blic
con
cern
s an
d co
mm
ents
to a
ssis
t in
a co
mpl
ete
anal
ysis
Notic
e of
Inte
nt (S
epte
mbe
r 10,
201
5)
Notic
e of
Ava
ilabi
lity
of D
raft
EIS
(201
7)
Notic
e of
Ava
ilabi
lity
of F
inal
EIS
(201
8)
Wai
ting
Perio
d (3
0 Da
ys)
Reco
rd o
f Dec
isio
n (2
018)
Publ
ic/A
genc
y Co
mm
ent P
erio
d
45 D
ays
(201
7)Ag
ency
Rev
iew
and
Com
men
t
Supe
r Hor
net
SCOPING MEETING
NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EIS – www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
What Types of Actions Require an EIS?
In 1969, Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the national charter for responsible management of the environment. Under NEPA, all branches of the federal government must consider potential impacts to the human and natural environment before undertaking any major action. The President’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) established the guidelines to implement NEPA.
The process for considering the potential environmental impacts of major actions is through preparation of a document known as an environmental impact statement (EIS). Preparation of an EIS provides an opportunity for the public to learn about and comment on federal actions that may affect their communities.
An EIS is prepared for actions that have the potential to significantly affect the environment, such as changes in operations, expansion of physical facilities, or implementation of strategic plans.
An EIS is a tool for decision making. It describes the positive and negative environmental effects of a proposed action and considers any reasonable alternatives to the proposed action.
What is the NEPA Process for an EIS?
A typical EIS process includes the following steps:
• Publication of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS in the Federal Register. The NOI provides an overview of the proposed action and the scope of the EIS.
• Scoping period (generally 45 days) to allow the public and government agencies to review the proposed action and provide input to help determine what the EIS will address.
• Preparation of a Draft EIS (DEIS).• Public and government agency review of the DEIS (45
days). Generally, a notice of availability is published in local newspapers as well as in the Federal Register. The DEIS is made available to the public, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations for review and comment. A public meeting is held during the review period to record comments from interested parties.
• Preparation of a Final EIS (FEIS) incorporating and responding to all comment on the DEIS.
• Thirty-day waiting period. During that period, additional comments may be submitted.
• Record of Decision (ROD). Following the waiting period, the agency issues a ROD explaining its decision and listing the measures it is committed to implementing to mitigate the adverse impacts of the action, if any.
Notice of Intent (September 10, 2015)
Public Scoping Period (September 10 - October 26, 2015)
Notice of Availability of Draft EIS (2017)
Notice of Availability of Final EIS (2018)
Waiting Period (30 Days)
Record of Decision (2018)
Public/Agency Comment Period 45 Days (2017) Agency Review and Comment
EIS Process for NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition
6
0615NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EIS – www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
Aerial view of NALF Fentress and surrounding area. An EIS considers the impacts of a proposed action on the human and natural environment. In the case of the Strike Fighter Transition EIS, the affected environment includes parts of the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
How is an EIS Prepared? An EIS explains what action the federal agency is proposing to take and the reasons for taking this action (referred to as the “purpose and need” for the proposed action.) At the initiation of the EIS process, the proposing agency also determines whether there are any reasonable alternatives to the proposed action that meet the purpose and need. If so, such alternatives are evaluated in the EIS. Note that even if it is not reasonable, the “No Action Alternative” is always evaluated in an EIS to serve as a baseline for comparison with the other alternatives. “No Action” generally means that the agency will not implement the proposed action.
Environmental professionals then prepare baseline studies for resources that may be affected by the proposed action in order to describe existing conditions. Such resource areas or disciplines typically include, but are not limited to:
• Noise - Generally described in terms of exposure levels and is
measured in decibels (see Noise factsheet)
• Air Quality - Generally described in terms of the air pollutants regulated
under the Clean Air Act
• Safety - In the case of the Strike Fighter Transition EIS, safety issues
will focus on flight operations
• Communities and Socioeconomics - This includes demographic and socioeconomic conditions,
environmental justice (consideration of potential disproportionate impacts on minority or economically-disadvantaged populations), and land use
• Water Resources - Water quality, wetlands, floodplains, and coastal zone
resources are considered in this portion of the study
• Biological Resources - This includes threatened and endangered species, as well as
common wildlife and vegetation
• Cultural Resources - Including historic structures, archaeological sites, and
traditional cultural properties
The next step is to describe and assess the impacts likely to occur if each of the alternatives were implemented. Environmental professionals evaluate the extent and severity of impacts by considering the effect of the proposed action on the existing environment as defined by the baseline resource studies. If the action would result in unavoidable significant negative impacts, the EIS generally identifies measures to minimize or mitigate these impacts.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (continued)
7
8
SCOPING MEETINGKE
Y FE
ATUR
ESFA
-18
SQUA
DRON
SHO
RNET
V. S
UPER
HOR
NET
ENVI
RONM
ENTA
L IM
PACT
STA
TEM
ENT
SCHE
DULE
Notic
e of
Inte
nt(S
epte
mbe
r 10,
201
5)
WE
ARE
HERE
Publ
ic S
copi
ng P
erio
d(S
epte
mbe
r 10-
Octo
ber 2
6, 2
015)
Notic
e of
Ava
ilabi
lity
of
Draf
t EIS
(201
7)Pu
blic
/Age
ncy
Com
men
t Pe
riod
45 D
ays
(201
7)No
tice
of A
vaila
bilit
y of
Fi
nal E
IS (2
018)
Wai
ting
Perio
d(3
0 Da
ys)
Reco
rd o
f Dec
isio
n(2
018)
For m
ore
info
rmat
ion,
vis
it th
e pr
ojec
t web
site
at w
ww
.oce
anas
trik
efigh
tere
is.c
om
FA-1
8 H
orne
t an
d Su
per
Hor
net
Com
pare
d to
the
Horn
et, t
he S
uper
Hor
net f
eatu
res:
•
Long
er ra
nge
•
Aeria
l ref
uelin
g ca
pabi
lity
•
Incr
ease
d su
rviv
abili
ty/le
thal
ity
•
Impr
oved
car
rier s
uita
bilit
y
The
FA-1
8 st
rike
fight
er is
a tw
in-e
ngin
e, c
arrie
r-ca
pabl
e, a
ll-w
eath
er
fight
er a
ircra
ft
HORN
ET (F
A-18
C/D)
SUPE
R HO
RNET
(FA-
18E/
F)
SUPE
R HO
RNET
HORN
ET
Supe
r Hor
nets
ope
rate
in a
sim
ilar f
ashi
on to
Hor
nets
at N
AS O
cean
a an
d NA
LF F
entr
ess,
and
will
con
tinue
to d
o so
Key
Feat
ures
Horn
et
Supe
r Hor
net
Ente
red
Serv
ice
1987
2000
Leng
th (f
eet)
5660
.3
Heig
ht (f
eet)
15.3
16
Win
gspa
n (fe
et)
40.4
44.9
Max
imum
W
eigh
t at T
ake-
Off (
poun
ds)
51,9
0066
,000
Ceili
ng (f
eet)
50,0
00+
50,0
00+
Rang
e Co
mba
t (n
autic
al m
iles)
1,08
91,
275
Thru
st p
er
Engi
ne (p
ound
s)18
,000
20,
700
VFA-
11
VFC-
12
VFA-
143
VFA-
31
VFA-
15
VFA-
211
VFA-
32
VFA-
34
VFA-
213
VFA-
81
VFA-
37
VFA-
87
VFA-
83
VFA-
103
VFA-
131
VFA-
105
VFA-
106
VFA-
106
VFA-
136
NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EIS – www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
FA-18 Hornet and Super Hornet
FA-18 Strike Fighter
The twin-engine FA-18, the nation’s first strike fighter aircraft, is an all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. The FA-18 was designed for traditional strike applications, such as interdiction (attacks on distant ground enemy targets) and close air support (attacks on nearby ground enemy targets) without compromising its fighter capabilities. The FA-18C/D Hornet entered service in 1987. The Super Hornet entered service in 2000.
FA-18 Hornet
The FA-18 Hornet is the original model of the FA-18 strike fighter. There are four series of the Hornet: the FA-18A, FA-18B, and FA-18C are single seat aircraft, while the FA-18D is a dual tandem seat aircraft. The FA-18C is the current carrier-air wing FA-18 aircraft. Production of the Hornet ended in 2000.
FA-18 Super Hornet
The FA-18E/F Super Hornet is the newest model of the aircraft. The FA-18E is the single- seat version and the FA-18F is the dual seat version. The Super Hornet is highly capable across the full mission spectrum, including:
• Air superiority
• Fighter escort
FA-18C/D Hornet
• Reconnaissance
• Aerial refueling
• Close air support
• Air defense suppression
• Day/night precision strike
The table below shows some key features of the Hornet and the Super Hornet.
FA-18E/F Super Hornet
Key Features Hornet Super Hornet
Entered Service 1987 2000
Length (feet) 56 (56’0”) 60.3 (60’2”)
Height (feet) 15. 3 (15’3”) 16 (16’0”)
Wingspan (feet) 40.4 (40’ 5”) 44.9 (44’ 11”)
Maximum Weight at Take-Off (pounds)
51,900 66,000
Ceiling (feet) 50,000+ 50,000+
Range Combat (nautical miles)
1,089 1,275
Thrust per Engine (pounds)
18,000 20,700
What’s a strike fighter aircraft?
A strike fighter aircraft combines an air-to-ground attack role with air-to-air combat capabilities. The term came into use in the late 1970s.
9
SCOPING MEETING
0615NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EIS – www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
FA-18 Strike Fighter at NAS Oceana and NALF Fentress Today
NAS Oceana
Currently, both Hornet and Super Hornet aircraft are based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana. They are organized into 16 deploying squadrons, one Navy Reserve aggressor squadron, and one Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). The FA-18 poster shows the names and symbols of the NAS Oceana-based FA-18 squadrons.
• Deploying strike fighter squadrons at NAS Oceana consist each of 10 Hornet or 12 Super Hornet aircraft. Of the 16 deploying squadrons at NAS Oceana, 11 already fly Super Hornet aircraft and only five still fly Hornet aircraft.
• An aggressor squadron is trained to play the role of the enemy to support realistic training exercises. VFC-12 (“Fighting Omars”) plays this role at NAS Oceana. This squadron currently flies Hornet aircraft.
• VFA-106 (“The Gladiators”) is currently the FRS unit that trains naval aviators and naval flight officers on the specific front-line aircraft they are assigned to fly. FRS training is for pilots who are new to the airframe or have not operated it for some time. VFA-106 trains pilots in both Hornet and Super Hornet aircraft operation. Therefore, the squadron currently has both aircraft.
Hornet and Super Hornet aircraft based at NAS Oceana are used daily for training operations. All pilots must qualify through field carrier landing practice (FCLP) for aircraft carrier landing. Training operations may occur 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Specific FCLP training schedules depend on carrier deployment schedules.
NALF Fentress
Located in the City of Chesapeake, approximately seven miles southwest of NAS Oceana, Naval Auxiliary Landing Field
(NALF) Fentress is the primary practice field for aircraft based at NAS Oceana. NALF Fentress’ single operational runway (Runway 5/23) is configured to simulate an aircraft carrier flight deck, thereby enabling aircraft to conduct day and night FCLP training, the primary training performed by NAS Oceana FA-18 squadrons.
During FCLP training, pilots normally fly a closed loop, touch-and-go race-track pattern. The race-track pattern for NALF Fentress Runway 23 was modified in the 1970s to avoid direct overflight of residential development immediately adjacent to the airfield.
FA-18 Hornet and Super Hornet (continued)
FCLP Loops at NALF Fentress
Field Carrier Landing Practice
Field carrier landing practice (FCLP) operations are a series of touch-and-go maneuvers that take place within a box, similar in size to the landing deck of an aircraft carrier. FCLP training is an ongoing requirement for all fighter jet pilots.
10
11
MIS
SION
COM
MUN
ITY
PART
NERS
Navy
enc
roac
hmen
t prio
ritie
s ha
ve b
een
adop
ted
by th
e Co
mm
onw
ealth
, Virg
inia
Bea
ch a
nd C
hesa
peak
e
NAS
Ocea
na a
nd C
ity s
taffs
wor
k cl
osel
y to
geth
er to
ens
ure
com
patib
le la
nd u
ses
arou
nd N
AS O
cean
a an
d NA
LF F
entr
ess
•
Virg
inia
Bea
ch, C
hesa
peak
e an
d th
e De
part
men
t of D
efen
se
have
spe
nt a
ppro
xim
atel
y $2
5 m
illio
n to
buy
land
to p
reve
nt
encr
oach
men
t
•
Virg
inia
Bea
ch, C
hesa
peak
e an
d th
e Co
mm
onw
ealth
ha
ve s
pent
mor
e th
an $
123
mill
ion
to ro
ll ba
ck e
xist
ing
encr
oach
men
t nea
r NAS
Oce
ana
and
NALF
Fen
tres
s
NAS
OCEA
NA IN
HAM
PTON
ROA
DSCo
mm
issi
oned
in 1
943,
NAS
Oce
ana
has
been
a p
rom
inen
t are
a fe
atur
e fo
r mor
e th
an 7
0 ye
ars
NAS
Ocea
na h
as a
lway
s be
en o
ne o
f Virg
inia
Bea
ch’s
la
rges
t em
ploy
ers:
•
Toda
y, ap
prox
imat
ely
16,7
00 m
ilita
ry a
nd c
ivili
ans
are
empl
oyed
at N
AS O
cean
a
NAS
Oce
ana
is a
key
driv
er o
f the
loca
l eco
nom
y:
•
Pay
roll,
as
wel
l as
good
s an
d se
rvic
es e
xcee
d
$1 b
illio
n an
nual
ly
Mos
t of N
AS O
cean
a’s
pers
onne
l liv
e, s
hop
and
play
in V
irgin
ia
Beac
h an
d Ch
esap
eake
ENVI
RONM
ENTA
L IM
PACT
STA
TEM
ENT
SCHE
DULE
Notic
e of
Inte
nt(S
epte
mbe
r 10,
201
5)
WE
ARE
HERE
Publ
ic S
copi
ng P
erio
d(S
epte
mbe
r 10-
Octo
ber 2
6, 2
015)
Notic
e of
Ava
ilabi
lity
of
Draf
t EIS
(201
7)Pu
blic
/Age
ncy
Com
men
t Pe
riod
45 D
ays
(201
7)No
tice
of A
vaila
bilit
y of
Fi
nal E
IS (2
018)
Wai
ting
Perio
d(3
0 Da
ys)
Reco
rd o
f Dec
isio
n(2
018)
For m
ore
info
rmat
ion,
vis
it th
e pr
ojec
t web
site
at w
ww
.oce
anas
trik
efigh
tere
is.c
om
Abo
ut N
AS
Oce
ana
NAS
Ocea
na is
the
U.S.
Nav
y’s
East
Coa
st M
aste
r Jet
Bas
e
•
Mor
e th
an 3
00 a
ircra
ft
•
Navy
’s E
ast C
oast
ho
me
to H
orne
ts
and
Supe
r Hor
nets
Supp
ort A
tlant
ic a
nd P
acifi
c Fl
eet S
trik
e/Fi
ghte
r ope
ratio
ns
and
trai
ning
Prov
ide
high
est q
ualit
y se
rvic
es to
our
mili
tary
fa
mili
es
Sinc
e 19
90, e
very
dep
loye
d NA
S Oc
eana
Ai
r Win
g ha
s se
en c
omba
t
NAS
Ocea
na a
nd it
s pe
ople
are
vita
l asp
ects
of t
he H
ampt
on R
oads
com
mun
ityVi
rgin
ia B
each
, Che
sape
ake
and
NAS
Ocea
na s
erve
as
the
natio
nal
mod
el fo
r mun
icip
al/m
ilita
ry c
oope
ratio
n
SCOPING MEETING
NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EIS – www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
NAS Oceana
About NAS Oceana
Overview
Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana was commissioned on August 17, 1943. At the time, the area was swampy and undeveloped. Today, NAS Oceana covers approximately 5,300 acres within the City of Virginia Beach. It is staffed by approximately 16,700 military and civilian personnel and is home to 16 deploying squadrons, one Navy Reserve squadron, and one Fleet Replacement Squadron that fly Hornet and Super Hornet aircraft (see the FA-18 Hornet and Super Hornet fact sheet for more details).
Since 1957, NAS Oceana has been a designated Navy Master Jet Base. This type of base is a location with permanent basing and homeporting of carrier air groups and the provision of one or more auxiliary landing fields for use in field carrier landing practice (FCLP) training.
NAS Oceana’ s auxiliary landing field is Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Fentress, occupying about 2,600 acres and located seven miles to the southeast of the base, in the City of Chesapeake. Like NAS Oceana, NALF Fentress was established during World War II.
With very limited exceptions, operations as NAS Oceana are conducted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
NAS Oceana Contributes to the Community
NAS Oceana contributes directly to the local economy in two major ways: jobs and expenditures for ongoing operations and improvement projects. There are additional indirect impacts, as NAS Oceana spending leads to businesses hiring employees who in turn, spend money on various goods and services, creating a ripple effect as dollars are spent and re-spent in the community.
• Jobs - The Navy currently employs approximately 16,700 military and civilian employees at NAS Oceana. Most employees have family members who fill a wide range of jobs in the local marketplace. NAS Oceana contributes more than $1 billion in payroll and more than $400 million in goods and services to the local economy each year.
• Operations and Improvements - The Navy spends money every year on operations and maintenance funds to keep NAS Oceana facilities in good condition, as well as on military construction projects, the number of which varies from year to year.
Military personnel and their families are major contributors to the local economy in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.
12
0615NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EIS – www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
About NAS Oceana (continued)
The popular Oceana Air Show is another type of contribution by NAS Oceana to the local community.
In 2014, the Oceana Air Show received the annual Dick Schram Memorial Community Relations Award during the International Council of Air Shows annual conference. The photo above shows the NAS Oceana leadership receiving the prize. Captain Louis Schager (left), who was NAS Oceana Executive Officer at the time, relieved Captain Kit Chope (center right) as Commanding Officer in March 2015.
NAS Oceana Works with the Community to Address Encroachment Issues
The growth of the communities surrounding NAS Oceana and NALF Fentress began affecting operations decades ago, spurring partnerships between the Navy and local jurisdictions to control growth and minimize impacts. The main tool through which these efforts have been implemented at NAS Oceana is the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) program.
The Department of Defense developed the AICUZ program to balance the need for aircraft operations and community concerns about aircraft noise. The goal of the program is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of those living near a military airfield while preserving the airfield’s flying mission.
AICUZ guidelines define zones of high noise, generally, 65 decibels (dB) and above, and accident potential zones (APZs).
The guidelines then recommend land uses that are compatible with these zones. Local land use agencies are encouraged to adopt the guidelines.
The AICUZ map for NAS Oceana and NALF Fentress has been adopted by the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. The map is incorporated in the cities’ respective planning and zoning regulations, allowing for the promotion of appropriate land uses in noise-impacted areas. The Navy and the respective city planning departments have developed a successful partnership to implement the program.
Key aspects of the program include:
• Acquisition of certain lands in fee simple or of easements within noise-impacted zones or APZs: To date, the Navy and its municipal partners have spent $25 million to buy land to prevent encroachment and $123 million to roll back existing encroachment around NAS Oceana and NALF Fentress.
• Land Use Planning: The Navy and the cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk worked together to create the Hampton Roads Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) in 2005. This study explored opportunities to reduce noise impacts while balancing the communities’ interest in economic growth and sustainability. Based on the recommendations of the JLUS, Virginia Beach adopted the APZ-1/ Clear Zone Master Plan in 2008. The plan provides land use policy guidance regarding the future use of properties located in the areas around NAS Oceana.
NAS Oceana leaders receiving the Dick Schram Memorial Community Relations Award in 2014.
In 2010, NAS Oceana was selected as the Active Base Community of the Year by the Association of Defense Communities, in recognition of its community partnership with the City of Virginia Beach, which has enhanced military value and overall economic development of the community.
13
14
SCOPING MEETINGQU
ANTI
FYIN
G NO
ISE
Day-
Nigh
t Ave
rage
Sou
nd L
evel
(DNL
)
•
Used
to d
eter
min
e lo
ng-t
erm
co
mm
unity
resp
onse
to
airc
raft
nois
e an
d la
nd-u
se
com
patib
ility
•
A 24
-hou
r cum
ulat
ive
no
ise
met
ric
•
A 10
-dec
ibel
(dB)
pen
alty
is a
dded
to n
oise
ev
ents
occ
urrin
g be
twee
n 10
p.m
. and
7 a
.m.
Soun
d Ex
posu
re L
evel
(SEL
)
•
Used
to a
sses
s th
e po
tent
ial f
or s
leep
dis
turb
ance
•
Repr
esen
ts th
e to
tal n
oise
ene
rgy
of
a s
ingl
e ev
ent,
such
as
a
flyov
er, a
s if
it oc
curr
ed
in o
ne s
econ
d
Max
imum
Inst
anta
neou
s So
und
Le
vel (
L max
)
•
Used
to a
sses
s th
e po
tent
ial
spee
ch a
nd c
lass
room
lear
ning
in
terf
eren
ce
NOIS
E M
ODEL
ING
NOIS
E ZO
NE IL
LUST
RATI
ON
ENVI
RONM
ENTA
L IM
PACT
STA
TEM
ENT
SCHE
DULE
Notic
e of
Inte
nt(S
epte
mbe
r 10,
201
5)
WE
ARE
HERE
Publ
ic S
copi
ng P
erio
d(S
epte
mbe
r 10-
Octo
ber 2
6, 2
015)
Notic
e of
Ava
ilabi
lity
of
Draf
t EIS
(201
7)Pu
blic
/Age
ncy
Com
men
t Pe
riod
45 D
ays
(201
7)No
tice
of A
vaila
bilit
y of
Fi
nal E
IS (2
018)
Wai
ting
Perio
d(3
0 Da
ys)
Reco
rd o
f Dec
isio
n(2
018)
For m
ore
info
rmat
ion,
vis
it th
e pr
ojec
t web
site
at w
ww
.oce
anas
trik
efigh
tere
is.c
om
Air
craf
t N
oise
Com
pute
r Mod
el
• Th
e m
odel
use
s ac
tual
airc
raft
nois
e m
easu
rem
ents
NOIS
E AS
SESS
MEN
TA
com
preh
ensi
ve n
oise
stu
dy w
ill b
e co
nduc
ted
as p
art o
f the
EIS
The
stud
y w
ill c
onsi
der o
pera
tions
at N
AS O
cean
a an
d NA
LF
Fent
ress
, inc
ludi
ng:
• Av
erag
e an
nual
ope
ratio
ns
•
Hist
oric
al p
eak
oper
atio
ns
Inpu
t Dat
a In
clud
es
• Ai
rcra
ft ty
pe
• Nu
mbe
r of
op
erat
ions
• Fl
ight
trac
ks
• Po
wer
set
tings
• Ai
rcra
ft sp
eed
• Te
rrai
n
• Te
mpe
ratu
re
• Al
titud
e
• Re
lativ
e hu
mid
ity
• En
gine
m
aint
enan
ce
test
ing
No
ise
cont
ours
are
gen
erat
ed a
nd p
rese
nted
on
a m
ap
Horn
et c
ondu
ctin
g FC
LP
75 and greater
db DNL
64 and less
dB DNL
65 - 74 dB DNL
1. T
he 6
4 an
d le
ss d
B DN
L* n
oise
zon
e is
co
nsid
ered
an
area
of l
ow o
r no
impa
ct
2. T
he 6
5 -
74 d
B DN
L* n
oise
zon
e is
an
area
of m
oder
ate
impa
ct w
here
som
e la
nd u
se c
ontr
ols
are
need
ed
3.
The
75 a
nd g
reat
er d
B DN
L* n
oise
zon
e is
the
mos
t sev
erel
y im
pact
ed a
rea
and
requ
ires
the
grea
test
deg
ree
of
com
patib
le u
se c
ontr
ols
*DNL
= D
ay-N
ight
Ave
rage
Sou
nd L
evel
12
3Ch
ange
in n
oise
leve
ls 3
dB:
ba
rely
per
cept
ible
5 d
B:
quite
not
icea
ble
10 d
B:
perc
eive
d as
twic
e as
loud
Aircraft Noise
NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EIS – www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
What is Noise? Noise is defined as unwanted sound that interferes with normal activities.
Civil Defense Siren(from 100 feet)
Jackhammer(from 50 feet)
FA-18(from 1,000 feet)
Motorcycle(from 25 feet)
Garbage Disposal(from3 feet)
Vacuum Cleaner(from 3 feet)
Light Traffic(from 100 feet)
Soft Whisper(from 5 feet)
0 Decibels = Threshold of Human Hearing
Bird Calls(from a distance)
Normal Conversation(from 5 feet)
Alarm Clock(from 3 feet)
Lawnmower(from 25 feet)
Ambulance Siren(from 25 feet)
Pile Driver(from 50 feet)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
Common Sounds and Noise Levelsat a Given Distance
Decibels
Noise Assessment Methodologies
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will include a comprehensive study of the noise impacts from aircraft operations at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana. The study will:
• Include all operations, including field carrier landing practice (FCLP) operations at Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Fentress
• Be conducted for average annual operations as well as historical peak operations
• Be prepared using the best available data and best available noise modeling technology
Once projected noise exposure levels are determined, they will be assessed for the potential to impact the environment.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, and Department of Defense (DoD) measure aircraft operational noise levels in decibels (dB) using various metrics.
Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) • DNL represents the cumulative sound energy of events during
a 24- hour period with a 10-dB penalty added to night-time (10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.) operations. This 10-dB penalty accounts for the added intrusiveness of noise when background noise levels are low and noise sensitive activities, such as sleep, take place.
• DNL is directly related to the number of aircraft overflights, the flight performance profile of each aircraft, and the time of the day each overflight occurs.
• DNL is typically used to determine long-term community response to environmental noise, particularly aircraft noise.
Sound Exposure Level (SEL)• SEL represents the intensity (loudness) and duration of a sound
event by representing the total energy of the event as if it had occurred over one second.
• SEL is typically used to assess the potential for sleep disturbance from overflights.
Maximum Instantaneous Sound Level (Lmax)• Highest noise level measured during a single event.• Used to assess potential speech and classroom
learning interference.
How is Noise Modeled?• Model inputs include aircraft type, number of operations, flight
tracks, power settings, aircraft speed, terrain, temperature, altitude, relative humidity, and engine maintenance testing.
• Model output is presented on a map in the form of noise contours. Noise contours are lines that connect points of equal noise exposure and are usually shown in 5‐dB increments (e.g., 65 DNL, 70 DNL, 75 DNL, etc.).
For illustration purposes, the chart above shows typical noise levels from various sources at a given distance. The range of sound level comfortably perceived by the human ear runs from 3 dB to 120 dB. Levels above 130 dB are generally felt as pain. Because of the way they are measured, noise levels do not add up in a simple fashion. For instance, if a source generates 60dB, the addition of a second, identical source will raise the noise level to 63 dB only. For similar reasons, when two different noise sources are added to each other, the resulting noise level is only slightly higher than the louder of the two sources. For instance, 60 dB +70 dB = 70.4 dB.
Response to noise depends on many factors:• Duration of the noise• Number of times the noise occurs• Time of day• Background or ambient noise levels• Interference with activity• Previous experiences within the community
Some Facts about Noise Levels
15
16
SCOPING MEETING
WHA
T IS
SCO
PING
?Sc
opin
g is
an
early
opp
ortu
nity
for t
he p
ublic
to p
artic
ipat
e
in th
e EI
S pr
oces
s
Thro
ugh
scop
ing,
we
prov
ide
you
with
info
rmat
ion
abou
t:
•
NEPA
and
the
EIS
proc
ess
•
The
prop
osed
act
ion
Thro
ugh
scop
ing,
you
hel
p us
:
•
Iden
tify
com
mun
ity-s
peci
fic is
sues
and
con
cern
s
•
Defin
e to
pics
to b
e ad
dres
sed
in th
e EI
S
IS T
HIS
MY
ONLY
CHA
NCE
TO P
ARTI
CIPA
TE?
No, y
ou c
an re
mai
n in
volv
ed b
y:
•
Chec
king
the
proj
ect w
ebsi
te re
gula
rly fo
r upd
ates
: w
ww
.oce
anas
trik
efigh
tere
is.c
om
•
Addi
ng y
our n
ame
to th
e m
ailin
g lis
t
•
Revi
ewin
g th
e Dr
aft E
IS
•
Part
icip
atin
g in
futu
re p
ublic
mee
tings
•
Com
men
ting
on th
e Dr
aft E
IS
HOW
DO
I COM
MEN
T?Pr
ovid
e yo
ur c
omm
ents
TOD
AY b
y:
•
Filli
ng o
ut a
com
men
t for
m
•
Talk
ing
to o
ur s
teno
grap
her
Prov
ide
your
com
men
ts L
ATER
by:
•
Filli
ng o
ut a
com
men
t for
m o
n th
e pr
ojec
t web
site
: w
ww
.oce
anas
trik
efigh
tere
is.c
om
•
Mai
ling
your
com
men
t to:
NAS
Ocea
na E
IS P
roje
ct M
anag
er (C
ode
EV21
/TW
) Na
val F
acili
ties
Engi
neer
ing
Com
man
d At
lant
ic
6506
Ham
pton
Bou
leva
rd
Norf
olk,
Virg
inia
235
08
Com
men
ts m
ust b
e se
nt b
y 11
:59
p.m
. Oct
ober
26,
201
5 if
sent
el
ectr
onic
ally
, or p
ostm
arke
d Oc
tobe
r 26,
201
5 if
mai
led
ENVI
RONM
ENTA
L IM
PACT
STA
TEM
ENT
SCHE
DULE
Notic
e of
Inte
nt(S
epte
mbe
r 10,
201
5)
WE
ARE
HERE
Publ
ic S
copi
ng P
erio
d(S
epte
mbe
r 10-
Octo
ber 2
6, 2
015)
Notic
e of
Ava
ilabi
lity
of
Draf
t EIS
(201
7)Pu
blic
/Age
ncy
Com
men
t Pe
riod
45 D
ays
(201
7)No
tice
of A
vaila
bilit
y of
Fi
nal E
IS (2
018)
Wai
ting
Perio
d(3
0 Da
ys)
Reco
rd o
f Dec
isio
n(2
018)
For m
ore
info
rmat
ion,
vis
it th
e pr
ojec
t web
site
at w
ww
.oce
anas
trik
efigh
tere
is.c
om
Publ
ic I
nvol
vem
ent
and
Scop
ing
All c
omm
ents
rece
ived
will
be
cons
ider
ed
in th
e de
velo
pmen
t of t
he E
IS
Is this Meeting my only Chance to Participate?
This meeting is part of a broader 45-day scoping period, which began when the Navy published a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS in the Federal Register on September 10, 2015. The scoping period lasts until October 26, 2015.
The public will have a second opportunity to participate in the NAS Oceana strike fighter transition NEPA process during the 45-day public review period following the publication of the Draft EIS (DEIS). The release of the DEIS will be announced in a newspaper that serves your area. You may also request to be notified of the publication of the DEIS by signing in at today’s meeting.
During the 45-day public review period, the Navy will hold additional public meetings to present the findings of the DEIS and collect comments. All comments on the DEIS will be addressed in the Final EIS.
Public Involvement and Scoping
NAS Oceana Strike Fighter Transition EIS – www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
What is the Purpose of this Scoping Meeting?
The purpose of this scoping meeting is to:
• Inform the public about the proposed action to transition Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana-based FA-18 Hornet aircraft to FA-18 Super Hornet aircraft.
• Explain the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and associated environmental impact analysis.
• Solicit the public’s input on the proposed action.
Scoping is the first of several opportunities for the public to participate in the NEPA process.
In accordance with NEPA, the Navy is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of transitioning six NAS Oceana-based Hornet strike fighter squadrons and the NAS Oceana-based Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) from Hornet aircraft to Super Hornet aircraft. The FRS already has Super Hornet aircraft and only its remaining Hornet aircraft would be replaced. This transition would occur in place at NAS Oceana and would be a one-for-one aircraft replacement. The transition process would begin no earlier than 2018.
Please take the opportunity during the scoping period to review the displays throughout the room (see meeting chart), talk to project staff, and provide your comments.
Scoping is one of the first steps in the EIS process and public input during the scoping period is important. No decisions about the proposed action have been made and the impact analysis has not yet started.
During the entire scoping period, the public can submit comments in the following ways:
• Provide written comments at today’s meeting
• Speak with our stenographer, who will record your comments
• Submit comments electronically via the project website: www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
• Mail written comments to:NAS Oceana EIS Project Manager (Code EV21/TW) Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)6506 Hampton Boulevard • Norfolk, VA 23508
Comments must be sent by 11:59 p.m. October 26, 2015 if sent electronically, or postmarked October 26, 2015 if mailed.
All comments received will be addressed in the EIS.
Open HouseFormat
Station 1 Project Overview
Welcome (Sign In Table)
Station 4 About NAS Oceana
Station 5 Aircraft Noise
Station 3 FA-18 Hornet
and Super Hornet
Station 2 NEPA
Station 6 Public Involvement
and Scoping
17
You can provide comments in the following ways:
• During tonight’s public scoping meeting by completing a comment form
• Speak to the stenographer who will record your comment
• Electronically via the project website: www.oceanastrikefightereis.com
• By mail to: NAS Oceana EIS Project Manager (Code EV21/TW)
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic 6506 Hampton Boulevard Norfolk, Virginia 23508
Comments must be sent by 11:59 p.m. October 26, 2015 if sent electronically, or postmarked October 26, 2015 if mailed.
THE NAVY REQUESTS YOUR INPUT
