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OLF Site Selection Information

January 22, 2008
STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR KAINE
In Response to Navy Outlying Landing Field Announcement

RICHMOND -- Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter today announced a narrowed list of three Virginia and two North Carolina sites that the Navy will consider for the location of an Outlying Landing Field (OLF) for Naval Air Station Oceana. The Virginia sites are in Southampton, Surry, and Sussex counties. The North Carolina sites are in Gates County and in Camden County. According to the Navy, the Virginia and North Carolina sites will now be evaluated in a 24-30 month Environmental Impact Study (EIS) process, which involves public hearings and additional analysis of the suitability of the locations for an OLF.

Governor Timothy M. Kaine, in response to the Navy's announcement, stated:

"The Commonwealth is committed to assisting Southampton, Surry and Sussex counties, the United States Navy, and our Congressional Delegation as efforts to locate a suitable Outlying Landing Field site continue. I recognize that this is an issue that causes great concern among many in the potentially affected localities. I also recognize that it is critically important that the Navy identify a new Outlying Landing Field to meet the training needs of its personnel in the 21st Century.

"My staff and I will work closely with all of the parties potentially affected by this process to ensure that it moves forward in a deliberative and open manner, that all concerns are heard, and that all opportunities for additional economic incentive for our communities are fully explored."

January 22, 2008
Joint Statement by Senators Warner and Webb on Navy Announcement of Potential OLF Sites

The secretary of the Navy and the chief of naval operations today announced the completion of an initial assessment of potential sites to relocate the Navy's Outlying Landing Field (OLF) to support training requirements for all carrier air-wing aircraft based at Naval Air Station Oceana and Naval Station Norfolk.

After a thorough review of input provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of North Carolina, Navy leadership determined the need to terminate the present draft Supplemental Environment Impact Statement (SEIS), and initiate a new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the impact of operations and construction at five locations. Three sites are located in Virginia -- at Cabin Point, Dory and Mason -- and two are in North Carolina. The Navy intends to hold public meetings on the new EIS this spring. The service also anticipates a 30-month analysis of the new sites.

"This is an important step in a deliberative process designed to ensure that our naval aviators have a suitable training location of the quality and scope necessary to maintain and refine their skills," said Warner.

"I commend the Navy for its diligent and responsible approach in taking all comments into consideration. As the service proceeds with its assessment of the impact of the final site, it is vital that all affected communities and residents participate in a transparent and open process that allows them to fully express their viewpoints."

"With this decision, the Navy has reemphasized the importance of preserving Naval Air Station Oceana as the Navy's East Coast Master Jet Base," Webb said.

"The Navy has pledged to work closely with the communities in Virginia and North Carolina that will be involved in the new EIS process. This will include finding common ground in order to mitigate potential impacts, and also identifying innovative opportunities for the affected communities to obtain revenue. This strikes me as the best way to protect the future of NAS Oceana, while also addressing the views of local communities and citizens."

Maps of the Virginia and North Carolina sites:

• Cabin's Point (PDF, 344 KB)
• Dory (Revised, PDF, 456 KB)
• Mason (PDF, 452 KB)
• Hale's Lake (PDF, 292 KB)
• Sand Banks (PDF, 380 KB)
• Overview Map (PDF, 3.3 MB)

Navy Announces Intent in Federal Register, April 9, 2008 (PDF, 64 KB)

Navy Statement Regarding the Secretary of the Navy OLF Announcement, January 22, 2008 (PDF, 64 KB)

Download the PDF of the report - Part 1 (7.53MB) | Part 2 (7.63MB)

Virginia Department of Forestry Outlying Landing Field Site Suitability Presentation (5.4 MB Powerpoint)

Click to see a video of a night aircraft carrier landing. These are the types of conditions that the Navy aims to simulate with an Outlying Landing Field. (1.9 MB, requires Windows Media Player)

Download the shapefile that contains a map of the core sites in Virginia. This is GIS data and can only be opened with ESRI software such as ArcMap. - OLF Core Sites Map (12 k, zip file)

Further Information Provided by the Navy:

• Summary of Factors Evaluated for Proposed OLF Sites in Virginia (176k Word doc)
• For key see potential sites map: Potential Sites Evaluated in the Feasibility Assessment (1.2 mb PDF doc)
• Summary of Factors Evaluated for Proposed OLF Sites in North Carolina (180k Word doc)
• OLF Economic Impacts (64k PowerPoint doc)
• Land Acquisition Requirements (1.5 mbPowerPoint doc)
• For more information visit www.olfeis.com.
• Outlying Landing Field Socioeconomic Impacts (90k PDF doc)
• Frequently Asked Questions about the OLF (128k PDF doc)