Navy Extends Public Comment Period for NW Training and Testing Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The Navy is accepting comments throughout the extended public comment period, which now runs until April 15, 2014.

The Navy's Proposed Action is to conduct training and testing activities, to include the use of active sonar and explosives, within the Pacific Northwest Study Area.

(SILVERDALE, Wash.) - The U.S. Navy is extending the public comment period for the Northwest Training and Testing (NWTT) Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) until April 15, 2014, to allow the public more time to submit comments.

The Navy prepared the Draft EIS/OEIS to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with military readiness training and testing activities conducted primarily within existing range complexes, operating areas and testing ranges in the NWTT Study Area. The Navy invites the public to submit comments on the Proposed Action and alternatives, and the accuracy and adequacy of the Draft EIS/OEIS analysis. The Draft EIS/OEIS is available for public review online at www.NWTTEIS.com and at the following locations:


Washington:
.       Everett Main Library
.       Gig Harbor Library
.       Jefferson County Library - Port Hadlock
.       Kitsap Regional Library - Poulsbo
.       Kitsap Regional Library - Sylvan Way Library (Bremerton)
.       Oak Harbor Public Library
.       Port Angeles Main Library
.       Port Townsend Public Library
.       Timberland Regional Library - Aberdeen
.       Timberland Regional Library  - Hoquiam

Oregon:
.       Astoria Public Library
.       Driftwood Public Library
.       Newport Public Library
.       Tillamook Main Library

Northern California:
.       Fort Bragg Branch Library
.       Humboldt County Public Library - Arcata Main Library
.       Humboldt County Public Library - Eureka Main Library
.       Redwood Coast Senior Center (Fort Bragg)

Southeastern Alaska:
.       Juneau Public Library - Downtown Branch
.       Ketchikan Public Library


The Navy is accepting comments throughout the extended public comment period, which began Jan. 24, 2014, and now runs until April 15, 2014. All comments must be postmarked or received online by April 15, 2014, for consideration in the Final EIS/OEIS. Written comments may be submitted via the project website at www.NWTTEIS.com or by mail to:

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest
Attention: Ms. Kimberly Kler - NWTT EIS/OEIS Project Manager
1101 Tautog Circle, Suite 203
Silverdale, WA 98315-1101

Eight public meetings were recently held in Washington, Oregon, Northern California and Southeastern Alaska to inform the public about the Navy's Proposed Action and findings in the Draft EIS/OEIS. Public comments on the environmental analysis were accepted during the public meetings. All comments received by April 15, 2014, will be considered in the development of the Final EIS/OEIS.

The Navy's Proposed Action is to conduct training and testing activities, to include the use of active sonar and explosives, within the NWTT Study Area. The Proposed Action also includes pierside sonar maintenance and testing within the NWTT Study Area.

The purpose of the Proposed Action is to ensure that the Navy accomplishes its mission to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. This mission is achieved in part by training and testing within the NWTT Study Area. The NWTT EIS/OEIS also supports the renewal of federal regulatory permits and authorizations for current training and testing activities and future activities requiring environmental analysis.

The NWTT Study Area is composed of Navy training and testing range complexes, operating areas, testing facilities, and select Navy pierside locations in the Pacific Northwest. Aircraft training and testing activities that take place on or within established Navy airfields at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., or Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility Boardman, Ore., are not included in this NWTT EIS/OEIS.

Visit the project website at www.NWTTEIS.com to download the Draft EIS/OEIS, view a map of the NWTT Study Area, learn more about the project and submit comments online.


-USN-