Marking another step forward in the proposed transfer of the Navy-owned portion of former Grumman defense operations to Nassau County, the U.S. Navy has completed a federally required review of how the deal would impact the local environment.

The 1999 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the transfer and reuse of the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant (NWIRP) provides a detailed analysis of the county's preferred redevelopment plan for the property, and is available for public review at the Bethpage Public Library.

The plant is a Government Owned Contractor Operated facility, at which Northrop Grumman and its predecessor, Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, produced Navy fighter planes and other aviation and space exploration products during World War II and the Cold War. The site, which currently contains 1.9 million square feet of industrial, office and support facilities within 57 Navy-owned buildings, is the subject of ongoing environmental remediation due to contamination from those operations. The area, which consists of approximately 110 acres of land, historically functioned as part of the larger, 605-acre Northrop Grumman manufacturing campus in Bethpage. The transfer of the property is aimed at allowing Nassau County to sell parcels to private industry for re-development, as the remediation continues.

The draft EIS concludes that the county's preferred reuse plan - primarily a mix of light industry and office uses - is considered a productive use of the property that does not negatively impact the site's potential for long-term productivity. However, it acknowedges that it would cause unavoidable adverse effects on traffic, and a loss of cultural resources through the demolition of historic buildings.

The preferred reuse plan which would involve some building conversion, as well as demolition to allow for new construction, would add about 100,000 sq. ft. of new building area to the site. It is expected to generate an estimated 5,410 full-time jobs, and almost $13 million in real property taxes. Features of the site plan include light industry/warehousing, such as film production studios and athletic facilities, offices, research and development facilities, a restaurant, conference center and fitness center. No active uses are planned for a 3-acre portion of the site that is currently undergoing environmental remediation.

The environmental review notes that the plan would have significant adverse traffic impacts at seven signalized intersections surrounding the site, but that modifications to signal timing and phasing could mitigate most significant impacts. The plan would generate 2,701 new weekday morning trips, and 2,849 new weekday afternoon trips, as well as 908 new weekend peak trips. Affected intersections include South Oyster Bay Road and Old Country Road, South Oyster Bay Road and Stewart Avenue, South Oyster Bay Road and Route 107, Stewart Avenue and Cherry Avenue, South Oyster Bay Road and Cherry Avenue, Stewart Avenue and Central Avenue, and South Oyster Bay Road and Grumman Road/Hazel Street.

The preferred reuse plan, the report notes, would also require some special use permits and variances from the Town of Oyster Bay for parking, and establishment of the restaurant, conference center and sports club.

Among the other findings of the environmental review are that the plan is generally consistent with county development density guidelines, but would cause increased demand on the area's infrastructure systems, due to extra needs in the areas of electricity, steam, sewage, natural gas, stormwater, and water supply.

In an effort to gather public feedback on the environmental review, the Navy held a public hearing on the draft EIS on Nov. 18, and is currently accepting written comments. That public input is expected to be considered in the ensuing preparation of a final EIS, which is legally necessary before the Navy can transfer the property.

According to the Navy, written comments on the document must be postmarked not later than Dec. 14 to be considered part of the official record, and should be mailed to Mr. Robert K. Ostermuller, Code 202, Northern Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 10 Industrial Highway, Lester PA, 19113. Additional information may also be obtained by contacting Mr. Ostermuller by phone at (610) 595-0759, or by FAX at (610) 595-0778.