Press Release 21-11
April 7, 2011
NAVY TO EXTEND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR MH-60 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
In response to requests from members of the public and elected officials, the U.S. Navy has extended until April 25, 2011, the public comment period for the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Helicopter Wings Realignment and MH-60R/S Helicopter Transition at Naval Base Coronado.
The Draft EA evaluates the potential environmental effects of adding 52 helicopters, replacing older model H-60 helicopters with the new MH-60 R/S model, increasing helicopter operations at Naval Base Coronado and Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach, construction of a new hangar and supporting facilities, and the addition of 800 personnel at Naval Base Coronado when the realignment is completed by 2016.
The original comment period concluded on March 28, 2011. With the extension, all written comments must be postmarked by April 25, 2011 to ensure they become part of the official record. All timely comments will be considered in the preparation of the Final EA. Comments may be mailed to:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest
ATTN: Helicopter EA Project Manager (Code: RUE20.TB)
2730 McKean Street, Bldg. 291
San Diego, CA 92136
The Draft EA and 2010 Noise Study are available for public review at www.cnic.navy.mil/cnrsw. Printed and electronic copies of the Draft EA and Noise Study may also be reviewed at the Coronado Public Library, San Diego County Library- Imperial Beach Branch, and the San Diego Central Library.
Of note, many of the comments received to date relate to current noise levels in the community near Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach. The public should be aware that the OLF Imperial Beach primary runway is currently inactive as it is being repaved, and the Navy has temporarily moved helicopter operations to the secondary runway (which is located closer to the community). These noise impacts are not related to the Draft EA, and operations will return to the primary runway once repaving is complete.
-USN-
