Navy wants to expand testing areas offshore

[Mirage36]

I wonder how often they will restrict our offshore fishing and how many schools of tuna will be killed from shock:

Local news broadcast: http://www.wboc.com/global/story.asp?s=8667318

Public hearing information:
From: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPA...-27/i14539.htm

Dates and Addresses: All meetings will start with an open house session from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A formal presentation and public comment period
will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Public hearings will be held on the
following dates and at the following locations:
July 14, 2008 at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel, 9100 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD;

July 15, 2008 at the Chincoteague Center, 6155 Community Dr., Chincoteague, VA;

July 16, 2008 at the Virginia Beach Resort & Conference Ctr., 2800 Shore Dr., Virginia Beach, VA;

July 17, 2008 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5353 N. Va. Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC.

"SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321); the
Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for implementing the
procedural provisions of NEPA (Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations
[CFR] 1500-1508); Department of the Navy Procedures for Implementing
NEPA (32 CFR 775); Executive Order (EO) 12114, Environmental Effects
Abroad of Major Federal Actions; and Department of Defense (DoD)
regulations implementing EO 12114 (32 CFR 187) the Department of the
Navy (Navy) has prepared and filed with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) on June 16, 2008. The
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is a Cooperating Agency for
the EIS/OEIS.
The EIS/OEIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts over a
10-year planning horizon associated with Navy Atlantic Fleet training;
research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities; and
associated range capabilities enhancements (including infrastructure
improvements) within the existing Virginia Capes (VACAPES) Range
Complex Operating Area (OPAREA). The components of the VACAPES Range
Complex include 28,672 square nautical miles (nm\2\) of special use
area (SUA) warning area; 27,661 nm\2\ of offshore surface and
subsurface OPAREA; and 18,092 nm\2\ of deep ocean area greater than 100
fathoms (600 feet)."

I am planning on attending the OC meeting. Going to be a long boring 4 hours

[Mirage36]

You boys down south need to have someone attend this meeting. If you do not voice concerns regarding the areas you fish they will shut them down. Speak now while their ears are open.

[frankypettolina]

What really sucks is that the Operation manager at Sunset, The owner of the Coastal Fisherman, and the President of the OC Marlin Club had no idea about these meetings.

Brian Tinkler called me at 545 yesterday afternoon to tell me about it. He heard about it on the radio!! He called Larry Jock (who knew nothing about it), and then me. I already had other committments and could not make it. Brian was going, I don't know about Larry.

When Brian tried to confirm the meeting time and locale, Princess Royale told him it was at the Convention center, who knew nothing about it. Brian finally went to the Royale and got some answers.

Just one day after one of the Largest tourneys on the East Coast concluded, we could have had strong representation at this if any of us knew. I feel slighted to say the least.

I am as Patriotic as they come, and realize that our folks in uniform need to perform tests and exercises and such, but i would like to be included in the discussion. Afterall, that is why they have these public comment/info sharing sessions.

[Bert Rodgers]

Have the published a chart of the proposed area closures?

Bert

[Mirage36]

The area proposed is very large, from 100 fathom line off NC to NJ. The studies done were only to protect mamals such as turtles, dolphin, and whales. Pelegics were not concidered when ask "what happens if you drop a bomb on a school of tuna?"
As far as the time it was changed at the last minute from 5pm to start at 3 pm and run until 10 pm that evening...yup that's 7 hours.
Next meeting is tonight in Chincoteague for you OC guys that didn't make it last night...go pack the house!

Bill Jr from Bills sportshop was at the OC meeting last night to represent the IR & Lewes guys.

[fishingkdr]

Here is the range website: http://www.vacapesrangecomplexeis.com/default.aspx

Map of the range(clickable):http://www.vacapesrangecomplexeis.com/EIS.aspx

[Jaydog]

In addition to attending the meetings, it might help to bombard your Senators and Representatives with letters and email. I know Congress sucks these days, but it doesn't hurt to try...

Oil drilling is good for fishing....Bombing is not!

[fish4fun]

The last time they shut down the canyons for testing we bombed the sh@# out of Iraq.

I have a feeling Iran's days are numbered... I have a buddy in the SF and the covert ops in Iran is really heating up.

[Hallnass282]

We will be in Iran before the election just watch. The last time this went down there was some much stuff floating out there it was sick because it was all metal ammo boxes and stuff.

[Rob Rondini]

deos anyone know what has become of this? im hearing some ridiculous rumors.