The proposed action being evaluated in the Environmental Impact Statement is the provision of unimpeded access between the Laurelwood housing area at mainside Naval Weapons Station Earle and an adjacent state primary or secondary road pursuant to a lease agreement between the U.S. Navy and the developer of the Laurelwood housing area. According to the language of the lease agreement, “unimpeded access” means that the Navy will not impose access requirements to residents of the Laurelwood Housing Area beyond those generally imposed in private residential developments. All of the alternative alignment routes provide dedicated access to Laurelwood via new entrances on State Route 34. Civilians residing in Laurelwood would not have access to the installation.

The Navy’s Environmental Impact Statement evaluates several alternatives, consisting of:

• alternative alignment routes providing dedicated access to Laurelwood via new entrances on State Route 34 (the Navy will consider more than one route and will analyze each feasible route as a separate alternative.)
• No Action (i.e., “do nothing”)

Project Background

In 1988 the Navy contracted with a developer to construct, own, and operate 300 military family housing units at NWS Earle, now known as the Laurelwood housing area. A 52-year lease agreement for the underlying land was executed between the Navy and the developer which included an in-lease and out-lease period. During the in-lease period, which runs from 1988 until 2010, the Navy guarantees rent payments to the developer for the occupancy of all 300 Laurelwood units. Only military and their dependents are allowed to occupy these housing units during the in-lease period. The out-lease period runs from 2010 until 2040. During the out-lease period the Navy will no longer pay rent to the developer for housing units and the developer may rent any units to the general public. However, the lease requires that the Navy provide “reasonable access” between the Laurelwood housing area and an adjacent state primary or secondary road. The lease agreement defines reasonable access as being on a paved road, constructed, operated, and maintained by the developer at its own cost. The Navy may satisfy this obligation by either (a) providing unimpeded access along existing roads of the installation or (b) providing an easement for alternate access adequate to allow the developer to construct a road from an adjacent primary or secondary road to Laurelwood that will provide unimpeded access. While the developer must pay for construction of a new road and necessary improvements, the Navy is required to finance the construction of any road enhancements necessary to meet their security or operational requirements (e.g., security fencing, gates). In 2040, the lease agreement expires and the developer is obligated to demolish the 300 housing units.