May 15, 2012 – The Department of the Navy has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Overseas EIS (OEIS) for U.S. Navy training and testing activities conducted within the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Study Area. The U.S. Navy is requesting and welcomes your comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS.
The Study Area is in the western Atlantic Ocean and encompasses the waters off the east coast of North America and the Gulf of Mexico. The Study Area covers approximately 2.6 million square nautical miles of ocean area, and includes designated U.S. Navy operating areas and special use airspace.
The U.S. Navy's mission is to organize, train, equip, and maintain combat-ready Naval Forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas as mandated by federal law (Title 10 U.S. Code § 5062). The Chief of Naval Operations is charged with ensuring the readiness of the nation's naval forces and meets that directive, in part, by establishing and executing training programs and ensuring naval forces have access to training ranges, operating areas, and airspace needed to develop and maintain skills for the conduct of operations.
The Navy's proposed action is to conduct training and testing activities, which may include the use of active sonar and explosives, primarily within existing range complexes, operating areas, and testing ranges along the east coast of the U.S., the Gulf of Mexico, pier-side locations, port transit channels, and the lower Chesapeake Bay.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the U.S. Navy is holding five public meetings to inform and provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed action, alternatives under consideration, and the adequacy and accuracy of the analysis in the Draft EIS/OEIS. All comments (oral or written) submitted during the 60-day public review period (May 11, 2012 to July 10, 2012) will become part of the public record on the Draft EIS/OEIS and will be addressed in the Final EIS/OEIS.
U.S. Navy representatives will be available during the open house public meetings to provide information and answer questions. Members of the public can arrive anytime between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. The public meeting schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Hotel Providence
139 Mathewson Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center
1000 Water Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Hilton Garden Inn Panama City
1101 N. Highway 231
Panama City, FL 32405
Monday, June 11, 2012
Virginia Beach Convention Center
1000 19th Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Tuesday, June 12, 2 012
Hampton Inn and Suites Swansboro
215 Old Hammock Road
Swansboro, NC 28584
Read the release from the Navy here.