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Home My WebLink AboutDepartment of the Navy (2) DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY NAVAL.,AIR s,rATION WHIDBEY ISLAND 37:30 NORTH C;'HARI,.ES PORTER AVE OAK HARBOR, WASHINGTON 98278-5000 ,W f r, : 5726 _...a.. Ser NOW 1678 � ..1 011" ` l W°� 19 Oct 15 N City of Port Angeles 'h"Y 0 . t7 ')ICI lel . iFR PO Box 11.50 . ..... _ �..... ... Port Angeles, WA 98362 Ladies and Gentlemen, I wanted to ensure you are aware of several Navy initiatives that have created some confusion with the public. factual information is important to us, and we think it is important to you as well. I have enclosed informational materials to provide you with the facts and give you a better understanding of the Navy's need to conduct comprehensive realistic training and testing in the Northwest. As our mission evolves to address global events and emerging threats, we must also change our operational training and testing requirements, as appropriate. These changes often require the Navy to prepare Environmental .Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Assessments (EA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA). The Navy prides itself on being a good steward of the environment and complies with all laws, regulations, and requirements, including NEPA. These NEPA documents are intended to ensure decision makers consider the potential environmental effects of a proposed action and its alternatives, provide an opportunity for public involvement, and promote transparency by informing the public of potential environmental effects. The enclosed informational materials provide additional information on ongoing Navy NEPA actions in the Northwest. The Navy remains committed to doing our best to accomplish national defense requirements as well as protect the environment and support our neighboring communities who have so graciously supported us over the years. I encourage you to review the enclosed materials. If you have questions about how we train and operate in the Pacific Northwest, please contact us at (360) 257-2286 or whdb_naswi_pao(' navy.mil. Thank you. Sincerely, �,A J M. K. NORTIER Captain, U.S. Navy Commanding Officer Enclosure: 1. NEPA documents All, 5 iol�ka��1°tor 2016 U.S. Navy Projects iri t1w Pacific Northwest The Navy prepares Environmental Impact Statements(EIS)and Environmental Assessments(EA)In order to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA). These NEPA documents are intended to ensure decision makers consider the potential environmental effects of a proposed action and its alternatives,provide an opportunity for public involvement,and promote transparency by informing the public of these potential environmental effects. Each NEPA document addresses a specific proposed action, NEPA documents for aircraft home basing actions(e.g.EA- separated from other actions by its purpose and need, 18G Growler EIS)focus on aircraft operations in and around independent utility,timing and geographic location. the airfield and their facility needs. Some NEPA documents are stand-alone documents;others NEPA documents for installations(e.g.,Land Water tier off and/or expand the analyses of other NEPA Interface and Service Pier Extension EIS)focus on documents. infrastructure enhancements for host and tenant command NEPA documents for training(e.g.Northwest Training and missions. Testing EIS)focus on training activities occurring within a Every environmental document considers the cumulative range complex or military operation area and involve impacts to the environment from other relevant past, different types of aircraft,ships and range complex enhancements. present and reasonably foreseeable future actions(federal, state,local and private)in addition to the proposed action. The Navy mission evolves to address global events and emerging threats,and changes its operational training and testing requirements, as appropriate. The Navy has recently initiated or completed several NEPA documents for proposed actions in the Pacific Northwest. These documents include: h RS,iaxN p-s ind Wmyiav Mtro ,,rface ain �G b� ��Itse [ t. �� ,�:�� ,� information, 'please visit the project website at Navas Base Mt sap M tuwgor: Navy proposes to construct and operate security barriers at the northern and southern ends of the Bangor Waterfront Restricted Area, extend and s gad ftn, PSitsrY!hwe.,O,, 11'rak,0ng and 'p'ushng (NMI]): Navy upgrade the existing service pier, and relocate two proposes to continue and enhance training and testing submarines from Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton to Naval activities at sea and in inland waters at existing range Base Kitsap Bangor. Navy announced its intent to prepare complexes, military operations areas, and select pier-side an EIS on February 1, 2013 and invited the public to locations. The Draft EIS was released in January 2014,and participate in the NEPA process by submitting comments to the public was invited to submit comments on the findings define the scope of Draft EIS analysis. The Navy released a of the Draft EIS. In December 2014, the Navy published a Draft EIS in February 2015. For more information, please supplement to the Draft EIS, which focused on a proposed visit the ,project website at vv vr� KVr�N�•r rr�rt,�rt^,r/ change in the use of sonobuoys and analyzed maritime rlF N,�nr- rr4s:. security operations, and invited the public to submit additional comments. A Final EIS is anticipated in fall 2015. .HS fm E 8G &awoa e0 HiOd Optn w„r th,,n, at NM,, For more information, please visit the project website at i kM'De WW'd ;,in i nap p,. Couineal eVw Navy proposes to home base up to 36 additional EA-18G aircraft at NAS 4 rE6 fop N'," a a[ wN(e ag,aaaoa. SYSA Na a 111,0w hq, Facfflty (MVS14" Whidbey Island. The Navy announced the preparation of �c„,arnurn km Navy proposes to continue and enhance this EIS on September 5, 2013 and invited the public to training for Navy and Oregon National Guard at NWSTF participate in the NEPA process by submitting comments to Boardman. The Draft EIS was released in September 2012. define the scope of the Draft EIS analysis. On October 10, The Navy is currently completing regulatory and tribal 2014, the Navy revised the scope of the on-going EIS and consultation efforts and anticipates releasing the Final EIS in invited the public to submit additional scoping comments. fall 2015. For more information, please visit the project The Navy ,is currently preparing its Draft EIS that is website at scheduled to be released in spring 2016. For more Version 3,dated 2015-09-25 _.., ....._..... ... .. .. ............................................ � ............... ��I��o� ._,. .o• "�N'°w�muWootlimluwuiuMd,.,... .,....„„......,�,„ ..�. 4•IIA•r ' la 11 I t i II I 11 II,MITI t GelS for EA-18G Growler Airfield operations at NAS Whidbey Island ., OL.F Coupeville EA for Electronic Warfare flange —1,•111i 1,. ` EA for pier and Support Fadlities e, for Transit protection at USCG Air Station,port Angeles OEIS for pier Extension at NAVBASE Kitsap Bangor t I.In:mli 'EIS study area for Northwest Training and Testing 1NW'TTi tlbit,tl'�! EIS for NWSTF Boardman Eac I, rr® J specific purpose,has independent utility, and occurs {,different times Bey 1 � ..,_.._._ Existing Special Use Airspace and 5.t A fw �!Nr��ctrcaawar hr�� faire III ��I�e� Navy proposes to use fixed more information,please visit the project website at ransmittersiteanduptothreemobiletransmittervansthat L /�rir'�r'rlrli,rr� r.o-, i•clr.Py .rrrFofrrt48ndyfor a�� rru rrCrrR r+ will send out signals that pilots need to detect and identify to _:, forest service improve training that is already occurring in existing military website at L.rr 4 lrr �� 1^ is rr rsraa..l."��rrl rpi:r•'•a,i operations areas. The EA was completed in August 2014 anda'rrri y.�.l".�." C"... r '°? '.., .F?'�h0•„•�'""� ."�. .' �.� `` tiers off the electronic warfare training analysis in the 2010 Northwest Training Range Complex Final EIS. The 2010 [c-i% fm mica and Sa,Ippott I acflflies for Trans O-Irotec ion NWTRC EIS analyzed at-sea and inland training,which Sy ste ra Navy proposes to construct a pier and support addressed existing electronic warfare training in existing facilities•at the U.S.Coast Guard Air Station,Sector Field Office military operation areas. The Navy notified the public about in Port Angeles, Washington. A description of the Proposed he EA and invited public comment. No public comments Action and Alternatives was released for public review in t p were received. The Navy completed the EA and issued a January 2015. The Navy will prepare a Draft Environmental Finding of No Significant Impact on August 28,2014. Navy is Assessment,which is schedule to be released in fall 2015. For currently working with U.S Forest Service for permission to more information,please visit the NAVFAC NW NEPA website drive mobile transmitter trucks on these public lands. For at j �iiii/fi,/ (Updated Au 10,2015) Myth:The Navy failed its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) by not conducting an Environmental Impact Statement when initially replacing the Prowler aircraft with the Growler. Fact:The Navy complied with its legal obligations at every stage of the transition from Prowlers to Growlers.The Navy prepared an Environmental Assessment in 2005 to determine whether the transition from Prowlers to Growlers would have significant environmental effects requiring the preparation of an EIS.After extensive review, the Navy determined that there would be no significant effects and that the preparation of an EIS was therefore not required. Myth: Navy conducts FCLPs 24hours/day,7days/week, as if operating in a war zone. Fact: Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) occurs in irregular cycles and is tied directly to aircraft carrier deployments and training schedules. It requires periods of concentrated training,followed by little or no activity for days and weeks. Even during periods of concentrated aircraft operations,the noise levels are intermittent as aircraft fly the oval-shaped FCLP pattern around the airfield. A FCLP evolution typically lasts for 45 minutes with 3-5 aircraft flying in the FCLP pattern. Pilots are required to complete FCLPs in the dark and during the summer, night time operations may extend late into the night.This is because the sun sets about 9pm PDT, and the evening twilight continues past sunset until the sun rays drop well below the horizon.Only then is there sufficient darkness to conduct night training.This situation may occur when operational schedules require FCLPs in June and July. During the winter, night time operations are completed much earlier because the sun sets about 5pm PST. Myth:The Navy can easily shift Field Carrier Landing Practice operations from OLF Coupeville to an alternative site in a less populated area. Fact:The Navy cannot shift easily to other locations.OLF Coupeville was specifically created for this purpose and is ideally situated for FCLPs. It is not cost effective or operationally efficient to routinely send aircraft detachments to other locations for the bulk of FCLP training prior to each carrier exercise or deployment. ®These alternate locations are not practical, nor would their implementation be a reasonable use of taxpayer dollars and closely proximate conditions at sea. OLF Coupeville is close to the NAS Whidbey Island home base,which maximizes training opportunities while keeping costs down. ® Relocating the OLF would be inefficient, cost prohibitive,environmentally damaging, and shift environmental impacts to another community. Many more Myths are dispelled on the internet at: ........................................... ,.......................................................................-1.�11.�11..�11............... ......,,.....,.-"',',"',',,',""'............... ...................................... ,..,,,,,, ...............,,,,,,,,, .............,. ,,,............,,,