Virginia Capes Range Complex Final Environmental Impact Statement

VACAPES Range Complex FEIS/OEISChapter 3 Affected Environment andEnvironmental Consequences3.2 – Haz Materials/Haz Wasteduring their operations. These materials typically are accumulated while at sea, and then offloaded andtransported to land disposal facilities when in port. Quantitative information is not available on the typesand quantities of hazardous waste present on the sea ranges at a given time, or on their distribution amongthe various categories of vessels.As a result of the past practice of ocean disposal of hazardous waste, isolated deposits of hazardous wastemay be found on the ocean floor. Although no such sites have been identified within the Navy’s searanges, the potential exists for one or more hazardous waste deposits to be present.3.2.3 Environmental ConsequencesNavy ships may not discharge overboard untreated used or excess hazardous material generated onboardthe ship within 200 nm of shore. Ships retain used and excess hazardous material on board for shoredisposal. Ships offload used hazardous material within five working days of arrival at a Navy port. The2005 Hazardous Materials Minimization, Hazardous Waste Reutilization and Disposal Guide, availableonline at http://www.cnrma.navy.mil/environmental/hazardous_waste.htm, provides points of contact anddetailed information regarding shipboard hazardous waste and material turn-in.The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) prohibitscertain discharges of oil, garbage, and other substances from vessels. The MARPOL Convention and itsannexes are implemented by national legislation, including the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships(APPS) (33 U.S.C. 1901 to 1915) and Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) (33 U.S.C. 1321 to1322), commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA). These statutes are further implemented andamplified by Department of the Navy (DoN) and Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Environmentaland Natural Resources Program Manual, which establishes Navy policy, guidance, and requirements forthe operation of Navy vessels. The vessels operating in the VACAPES Study Area would comply withthe discharge requirements, minimizing or eliminating potential impacts from discharges from ships.If a fuel spill occurred, the effects would be mitigated through compliance with standard spill-controlresponses and wildlife rescue procedures.Navy ships may not discharge overboard untreated used or excess hazardous material generated onboardthe ship within 200 nm of shore. Ships retain used and excess hazardous material on board for shoredisposal. Ships offload used hazardous material within five working days of arrival at a Navy port. The2005 Hazardous Materials Minimization, Hazardous Waste Reutilization and Disposal Guide, availableonline at http://www.cnrma.navy.mil/environmental/hazardous_waste.htm, provides points of contact anddetailed information regarding shipboard hazardous waste and material turn-in.The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) prohibitscertain discharges of oil, garbage, and other substances from vessels. The MARPOL Convention and itsAnnexes are implemented by national legislation, including the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (33U.S.C. 1901 to 1915) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321 to 1322). Thesestatutes are further implemented and amplified by DoN and the Office of the Chief of Naval OperationsEnvironmental and Natural Resources Program Manual, which establishes Navy policy, guidance, andrequirements for the operation of Navy vessels. The vessels operating in theVACAPES Range Complexwould comply with the discharge requirements, minimizing or eliminating potential impacts fromdischarges from ships.Fuel dumping by aircraft rarely occurs. Navy aircrews are prohibited from dumping fuel below 6,000feet, except in an emergency situation. Above 6,000 feet, the fuel has enough time to completelyvaporize and dissipate and would, therefore, have a negligible effect on the water below. A studyperformed by the Air Force (USAF, 2002) indicated that 735 gallons of fuel released from an aircraft at5,000 feet altitude resulted in approximately 99 percent evaporation before the fuel hit the surface.3-19 March 2009