Past Project Updates
Navy Completes Groundwater Data Collection at the Hale's Lake Site
Navy contractor Ecology & Environment, Inc. and Land Management Group, Inc. completed
groundwater data collection at the Hale's Lake site from November 2009 through April
2010. A total of 24 wells were installed on the site to measure groundwater levels.
Data from the wells, in addition to soils analysis and precipitation data collected
onsite, has been used to model the hydrology of the site as part of the wetland
delineation. The Navy continues to coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Wilmington District on finalization of the hydrology study.
Navy Completes Wetland Field Surveys
Navy contractor Ecology & Environment, Inc. and Timmons Group completed wetland
field surveys between January 2010 and March 2010. Field surveys were completed
to delineate wetlands and other waters of the U.S. The Navy continues to coordinate
with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District on finalization of the wetland
delineation surveys.
Navy Continuing to Study Waterbodies and Wetlands
The Navy is continuing to study waterbodies and wetlands at the alternative OLF
sites. The studies are expected to be ongoing through spring 2010.
Navy to Conduct Winter Waterfowl Survey at Hale's Lake Site
Navy contractor Ecology & Environment, Inc. (E & E) will be conducting an additional
waterfowl survey at the Hale's Lake site during the 2009/2010 overwintering season.
Surveys will be conducted from November through February to track migratory waterfowl
activity on and near the Hale’s Lake site. The results of the overwintering survey
will be documented in the EIS.
Navy Conducts Spring Migratory Bird Surveys
Navy contractor Ecology & Environment, Inc. (E & E) conducted spring migration bird
surveys for each of the five alternative OLF sites during April 2009. Surveys were
conducted during mornings from sunrise until approximately 11:00 a.m. over the course
of two, 1-week survey periods. Surveys were conducted from public roads at pre-selected
points designed to encompass as many different habitats as possible within each
project area. At each survey point, all birds seen and heard during a 5-minute period
were recorded. Additional species seen or heard outside of the survey period were
also noted. The results of the spring migration and other avian surveys will be
documented in a report once all field surveys are completed.
Navy Conducts Breeding Bird Surveys
Navy contractor Ecology & Environment, Inc. (E & E) conducted an additional breeding
bird survey for each of the five alternative OLF sites from June 1st through June
5th, 2009. The first breeding survey was conducted from June 2nd through June 6th
2008. Surveys were conducted each morning from sunrise (approximately 5:45 a.m.)
until approximately 11:00 a.m. Surveys were conducted from public roads at pre-selected
points designed to encompass as many different habitats as possible within each
project area. At each survey point, all birds seen and heard during a 5-minute period
were recorded. Additional species seen or heard outside of the survey period were
also noted. The results of the breeding bird and other avian surveys will be documented
in a report once all field surveys are completed. Navy contractor Ecology & Environment,
Inc. (E & E) began conducting overwintering bird surveys during December 2008. Surveys
will continue through January and February to track migratory waterfowl activity
on and near the Hale’s Lake site, and document overwintering bird species at the
other OLF site alternatives. The results of the overwintering bird surveys will
be documented in the EIS once all field surveys are completed.
Navy Conducts Overwintering Bird Surveys
Navy contractor Ecology & Environment, Inc. (E & E) conducted overwintering bird
surveys from December 2008 through February 2009 to track migratory waterfowl activity
on and near the Hale’s Lake site, and document overwintering bird species at the
other OLF site alternatives. The results of the overwintering bird surveys will
be documented in the EIS once all field surveys are completed.
Navy Completes Red-cockaded Woodpecker Field Surveys
The Center for Conservation Biology, College of William and Mary completed field
surveys for the federally-endangered red-cockaded woodpecker at the Dory, Mason,
and Sanbanks sites during December 2008. Field surveys were completed for these
sites based on the documented occurrence of red-cockaded woodpeckers in proximity
to the sites, and the results of a preliminary habitat assessment. The Navy is currently
reviewing the field survey results and is continuing to coordinate with federal
and state natural resource agencies regarding the red-cockaded woodpecker assessment.
The results of the red-cockaded woodpecker field surveys will be documented in the
draft EIS.
Navy Contacts Property Owners and Businesses
The Navy submitted letters to all property owners within the core areas and all
identified businesses within the buffer areas at each of the OLF site alternatives
during the week of January 5, 2009. Business owners within the buffer areas were
identified during land use field surveys conducted during October 2008. The purpose
of these letters is to request comments from business describing impacts that the
construction and operation of an OLF would have on their business. Information provided
by business owners will be used in conjunction with data collected from county agencies
and other sources to evaluate socioeconomic impacts.
Navy Determines Parcel Owners
In support of the Environmental Impact Statement, Navy representatives conducted
visits to County tax and deed offices in Gates, Camden, and Currituck counties in
North Carolina, and Surry, Sussex, Southampton, and Prince George counties in Virginia,
to obtain ownership information on land parcels within the proposed buffer area
at each site. The site visits were completed from December 2008 through March 2009.
Navy Contacts Additional Property Owners
The Navy began contacting property owners within a 0.5-mile buffer of the core area
during the week of November 17, 2008 to request additional voluntary rights of entry
on properties located outside of the core. The purpose of these additional rights
of entry requests is to conduct wildlife surveys. Surveys will be completed during
the December-January timeframe. The surveys will be accomplished without cost or
expense to the property owner.
Navy Completes Land Use and Vegetation Mapping Field Surveys
Navy contractor Ecology & Environment, Inc. (E & E) completed land use and vegetation
mapping field surveys during October 2008. Land use features at the alternative
OLF sites, including residences, businesses, schools, churches, communication towers,
and other land use features of interest were documented. E & E biologists mapped
vegetation communities on the sites by walking transects through representative
habitats and recording dominant vegetation species. The results of these field surveys
will be published concurrent with the release of the draft EIS.
Navy Collects Ambient Noise Measurements
E & E subcontractor Blue Ridge Research and Consulting (BRRC) installed ambient,
or background, sound level meters (SLMs) on and in the vicinity of the alternative
OLF sites. BRRC visited the SLMs during a 3-week period to download noise data and
record background noise observations. The results of this study will be published
concurrent with the release of the draft EIS.
Navy Conducts Waterbody and Wetland Surveys
E & E subcontractor Land Management Group, Inc. (LMG) conducted waterbody and wetland
field surveys at the alternative OLF sites. The survey was conducted in the OLF
site core areas to map and characterize waterbodies and wetlands. The field surveys
are expected to be ongoing through early 2009.
Navy Conducts Architectural Field Surveys
Navy contractor Southeastern Archaeological Research, Inc. (SEARCH) conducted field
surveys to identify and map architectural features of interest within the alternative
OLF sites. The field surveys were completed in January 2009. The following studies
are ongoing for the alternative OLF sites. Completed studies will be published concurrent
with the release of the draft EIS.
Natural Resources
- Bald Eagle and Colonial Waterbird – An aerial survey was completed for the Cabin
Point, Dory, Mason, and Sandbanks sites in early spring 2008 to document bald eagle
nests and colonial waterbird colonies. Based on agency recommendations, an additional
aerial survey will be completed for the Hale’s Lake Site in early spring 2009.
- Other Avian Species – Field surveys to document the presence of spring and fall
migratory birds, summer breeding birds, and overwintering birds began in spring
2008 and will be ongoing through spring 2009.
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker – A red-cockaded woodpecker habitat assessment was completed
in consultation with regulatory agencies in fall 2008. Field surveys to document
red-cockaded woodpecker occurrence/absence will be conducted during fall and winter
2008.
Cultural Resources
- Background Data Collection – Archival research is being conducted during fall 2008
at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the North Carolina Division
of Archives and History to locate all recorded architectural and archaeological
sites within the OLF site core and buffer areas.
- Architectural Survey – A field survey of architectural resources is being conducted
during fall and winter 2008 within the OLF site core and buffer areas.
- Archaeological Survey – An archaeological field assessment is being conducted during
fall and winter 2008 within the OLF core areas.
- Century Farms – Information regarding Century Farms will be coordinated through
the Virginia and North Carolina Century Farm programs within the OLF site core and
buffer areas.
Noise
- Noise Modeling – Noise modeling is being conducted during fall and winter 2008 to
determine Day Night Average Sound Level (DNL) contours for each site and Sound Exposure
Level (SEL) data for several points of interest, identified by the Navy with input
from community leaders.
Navy Completes Fall Migration Bird Surveys
Navy contractor Ecology & Environment, Inc. (E & E) conducted fall migration bird
surveys for each of the five alternative OLF sites during September and October
2008. Surveys were conducted during mornings from sunrise (approximately 5:45 a.m.)
until approximately 11:00 a.m. Surveys were conducted from public roads at pre-selected
points designed to encompass as many different habitats as possible within each
project area. At each survey point, all birds seen and heard during a 5-minute period
were recorded. Additional species seen or heard outside of the survey period were
also noted. The results of the fall migration and other avian surveys will be documented
in a report once all field surveys are completed.
Navy Contacts Property Owners
The Navy began to contact property owners the week of August 04, 2008, to request
temporary easements that would allow the Navy access rights to the property within
the core areas (approximately 2,000 acres) of each of the proposed five OLF site
alternatives. The expected duration of the required access is approximately 18 months
and is necessary to obtain the required field data to support the analysis of potential
impacts of the OLF. The data collection will be accomplished without cost or expense
to the property owner. Final contacts with core area propoert owners were completed
in October 2008.
Navy Completes County Data Collection Meetings
The Navy and its contractor Ecology & Environment, Inc. met with county representatives
during July, August, and September 2008 to collect and discuss data for the OLF
EIS. Meetings were held with Gates, Hertford, Camden, and Currituck counties in
North Carolina, and Surry, Sussex, Southampton, and Prince George counties in Virginia.
The counties provided data and information concerning local land uses, planned developments,
finances, and other topics of local interest that will be considered during preparation
of the EIS. The Navy plans to conduct follow-up county meetings prior to release
of the draft EIS.
Navy Determines Parcel Owners
In support of the Environmental Impact Statement, Navy representatives conducted
visits to County tax offices and deed offices in Gates and Camden counties, North
Carolina, and Southampton, Sussex and Surry counties, Virginia, to obtain ownership
information on land parcels within the proposed 2,000 acre core area at each site.
These initial visits commenced on July 1, 2008, and were completed on July 25, 2008.
Please click here to view the full media release. Scoping Period Completed on June
7, 2008 Thank you to all who submitted comments and participated in the Navy OLF
EIS scoping process (April 9, 2008 to June 7, 2008). The Navy hosted seven Public
Scoping Meetings on April 28, 29, and 30, and May 1, 2, 5, and 7, 2008. Please visit
the Public Involvement page for additional information regarding the scoping process
and the scoping meetings.
Navy Conducts Breeding Bird Surveys
Navy contractor Ecology & Environment, Inc. (E & E) conducted breeding bird surveys
for each of the five alternative OLF sites from June 2nd through June 6th 2008.
Surveys were conducted each morning from sunrise (approximately 5:45 a.m.) until
approximately 10:00 a.m. Surveys were conducted from public roads at pre-selected
points designed to encompass as many different habitats as possible within each
project area. At each survey point, all birds seen and heard during a 5-minute period
were recorded. Additional species seen or heard outside of the survey period were
also noted. Additional breeding bird field surveys will be completed during spring
2009. The results of the breeding bird and other avian surveys will be documented
in a report once all field surveys are completed.
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