The public involvement process for the AFAST EIS/OEIS began with the Notice of Intent, published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2006. On the same day, an announcement of the scoping open house was displayed in 17 regional newspapers and one nationally distributed newspaper. This announcement also appeared three consecutive days prior to the eight scoping meetings held between October 23, 2006 and November 29, 2006. Materials disseminated and used at the public scoping meetings are available below.
The AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS was published on February 15, 2008, at which time the Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Hearing for the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS were published in the Federal Register. On the same day, an announcement of the availability of the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS was displayed in 17 regional newspapers. This announcement also appeared three consecutive days prior to the public hearings held between March 4, 2008 and March 19, 2008. In addition, the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS was also made available for general review in 11 public libraries, as well as on this website. The publications on February 15, 2008 marked the beginning of the 45-day public comment period. The entire public comment review period lasted 45 days, from the date the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS was released on February 15, 2008, to March 31, 2008. During the six public hearings, naval staff and subject matter experts presented information using display boards and fact sheets in an open house format. Immediately following the open house, a formal presentation was held followed by an opportunity for the public to comment. All comments submitted at the public hearing meetings (written and oral), through fax, U.S. mail, and the AFAST EIS/OEIS website that were received during the public comment period were considered, and relevant comments were addressed in the AFAST Final EIS/OEIS. Materials disseminated and used at the public hearing are available below.
The AFAST Final EIS/OEIS was published and available on this web site on December 10, 2008 and its availability was announced in the Federal Register and regional newspapers on December 12, 2008. The Release of the AFAST Final EIS/OEIS is accompanied by a 24-day wait period which ends on January 5, 2009. The Navy expects to publish a Record of Decision in mid-January 2009. The Environmental Protection Agency may extend the wait period upon a showing by any other Federal agency of compelling reasons of national policy, but only after consultation with the lead agency.
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