The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management has paused its review of proposed increases to training activities and operations within a military range complex in parts of Carteret and Pamlico counties.
The decision was made in response to a request Oct. 2 from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point officials, who said they needed more time to finalize additional documentation of the proposal, according to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. The review by state regulators is to ensure the changes are consistent with the federal Coastal Zone Management Act and the state Coastal Area Management Act.
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Under the proposal, training activities, including aircraft, unmanned systems, and watercraft operations would be added and increased within the Havelock-based air station’s range complex.
Plans also call for expanding restricted water areas near bombing targets 9 and 11, including a permanent 500-foot safety buffer around BT-11. The overall size of the range complex and existing special-use airspace would remain the same.
Cherry Point officials said extra time was needed to finalize documentation related to the purpose and need for the proposed buffer, as well as for the timing and duration of intermittent closures of portions of the Neuse River between BT-9 and BT-11, according to the release.
The division hosted a public hearing late last month in which six of the seven people who attended provided comments.
The division is accepting written comments through Thursday, Oct. 15, by mail to Federal Consistency Coordinator, 400 Commerce Ave. Morehead City, NC 28557, or by email to federalconsistencycomments@deq.nc.gov. Put “Federal Consistency: USMC MCAS Cherry Point” in the subject line.
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The division said it plans to ask for additional feedback from stakeholders and state resource agencies, particularly regarding the proposed timing and duration of closures, once Cherry Point officials submit more information. State officials will at that time determine what additional public engagement opportunities may be made.
