U.S. Army Seeks Public Input on Stationing Joint High Speed Vessels

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ --The Army intends to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement in 2010 for the proposed stationing and operation of up to 12 joint high speed vessels. The JHSV is a strategic transport vessel designed to support the rapid transport of military troops and equipment in the U.S. and abroad.  

The PEIS will assess the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed stationing of Army JHSVs at the following military port locations: Virginia Tidewater area; San Diego, Calif. area; Seattle-Tacoma, Wash. area; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii area; and Guam. These locations were selected because each has existing military port facilities that do not require new infrastructure construction or improvements; has existing maintenance facilities for up to, but not including, depot level facilities for major JHSV repairs and maintenance; and are capable of supporting the strategic needs of the nation's combatant commanders.  

Not all of the proposed ports will receive JHSV(s) and other viable locations raised during public scoping may be considered as stationing sites. The Army's Record of Decision will make the determination as to which of the potential sites will serve as home port locations. Further NEPA documentation and analysis may be required at the selected sites.

This PEIS will assess, consider, and compare the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects upon the natural, cultural and man-made environments from the stationing of up to three Army JHSVs per site. The Army will assess the potential impacts to air quality, airspace, cultural resources, noise, and marine life. In addition, the Army will consider those issues identified through comments received as part of the scoping process.  

The Army intends to consider the following alternatives in the PEIS: (1) The stationing and operation of an Army-wide total of five JHSVs at military port facilities in the U.S. or U.S. territories, with up to three JHSVs at any one of the aforementioned locations; (2) The stationing and operation of an Army-wide total of 12 JHSVs at military port facilities in the U.S. or U.S. territories, as well as overseas locations operated by the U.S. military, with up to three JHSVs being stationed at any one location; (3) The no action alternative retains the Army's existing transport fleet and does not equip the Army with JHSVs.

JHSV stationing detachments consist of a 31-member crew and can accommodate up to 350 additional Soldiers. The vessel can reach speeds of 35-45 knots and has an equipment carrying capacity of approximately 700 short tons.  

It has a shallow draft for enhanced port access. The JHSV includes a weapons mount for crew-served weapons, a flight deck for helicopter operations, and an off-load ramp that allows vehicles to drive off the ship quickly.

All interested members of the public, including native communities and federally recognized Native American Tribes, Native Hawaiian groups, Guam Chamorro Groups, and federal, state, and local agencies are invited to participate in the scoping process for the preparation of this PEIS.

The scoping process will help identify possible alternatives, potential environmental impacts, and key issues of concern to be analyzed in the PEIS.  Written comments identifying environmental issues, concerns and opportunities to be analyzed in the PEIS will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register.

The document is available for review at http://aec.army.mil/usaec/nepa/topics00.html. Comments may be sent to the Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army Environmental Command, 5179 Hoadley Rd, Attn: IMAE-PA, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5401; (410) 436-2556; fax (410) 436-1693; e-mail: [email protected].

This information is provided by USAEC. USAEC is the Army's point organization for supporting the implementation of environmental programs that facilitate sustainable Army training and operations while protecting the environment. We provide environmental program management and technical support products and services in support of Army training operations, acquisition and sound stewardship.

"Sustaining the Environment for a Secure Future"

For more information on the U.S. Army Environmental Command, visit http://aec.army.mil

SOURCE U.S. Army Environmental Command