HomeMy WebLinkAboutDepartment of the NavyDEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
COMTiIANDER
UI.IITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
250 T,IAKALAPA ORIVE
PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII 96860.3131
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AUG 2 4 2017
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ORT ANGELES
CITY LEEK
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CITY OF PDear Sir or Madam:
SUBJECT: NOTICE OF INTENT TO PREPARE A SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT/OVERSEAS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
STATEMENT FORNORTHWEST TRAINING AND TESTING
This letter is to inform you that the Departnoent of the Navy (Navy) is preparing a
supplement to the 2015 Northwest Training and Testing (NWTT) Final Environmental Impact
Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) to assess the potential
environmental effects associated with ongoing and future at-sea military readiness activities
conducted within the NWTT EIS/OEIS Study Area (hereafter referred to as the "Study Area").
Military readiness activities include training and research, development, testing, and evaluation
(hereafter referred to as "training and testing"). The Naly is requesting your comments on the
scope ofthe analysis, including potential environmental issues and viable altematives to be
considered during the development of the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS.
The Navy previously completed an EIS/OEIS in 2015, for which a Record of Decision was
signed in October 2016, for at-sea training and testing activities occurring within the Study Area.
The supplement to the 2015 Final EIS/OEIS is being prepared to support ongoing and future
activities conducted at sea within the Study Area beyond 2020. Proposed training and testing
activities are generally consistent with those analyzed in the 2015 Final EIS/OEIS and are
representative ofactivities the Navy has been conducting in the Study Area for decades.
The Supplemental EIS/OEIS will include an analysis of training and testing activities using
new information available after the release of the 2015 Final EIS/OEIS. New information
includes an updated acoustic effects model, updated marine mammal density data, and evolving
and emergeni best available science. As part of this process, the Navy will seek the issuance of
federal regulatory permits and authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the
Endangerid Species Act to support ongoing and future at-sea military readiness activities within
the Study Area beyond 2020.
The Study Area remains unchanged since the 201 5 Final EIS/OEIS (Enclosure 1 ). The Study
Area is comprised of established maritime operating areas and waming areas in the northeastem
Pacific Ocean, including areas within the Stmit of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, and the Westem
Behm canal in southeastem Alaska. The Study Area includes air and water space within and
outside Washington state waters, air and water space outside state waters of Oregon and Northem
Califomia, and Nary pierside locations where sonar maintenance and testing occur. In the
supplement to the 2015 Final EIS/OEIS, the Navy will only analyze those training and testing
activities conducted at sea within the Study Area.
I REPLY REFER fO:
5090
Ser N465/0952
August 21,2017
5090
Ser N465/0952
August 21, 2017
The Proposed Action is to conduct at-sea training and testing activities within the Study Area.
Activities include the use ofactive sonar and explosives while employing marine species piotective
mitigation measures. The purpose ofthe Proposed Action is to maintain a ready force, which is
needed to ensure the Navy can accomplish its mission to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready
naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas,
consistent with Congressional direction in section 5062 of Title l0 of the U.S. Code.
To achieve and maintain military readiness, the Navy proposes to:
o Conduct at-sea training and testing activities at levels required to support military
readiness requirements beyond 2020; and
Accommodate evolving mission requirements, including those resulting from the
development, testing, and introduction ofnew vessels, aircraft, and weapons systems
into the fleet.
Public comments will be accepted during the 30-day scoping period beginning August 22,
2017 and extending through Septemb er 21,2017. comments must be postmarked or received
online by September 21,2017 for consideration in the development of the Draft supplemental
EIS/OEIS. Comments may be submitted online at www.NWTTEIS.com, or by mail to:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest
Attention: NWTT Supplemental EIS/OEIS Project Manager
3730 North Charles Porter Avenue, Building 385
Oak Harbor, WA 98278-3500
For more information, please visit the project website at www.NWTIEIS.com or contact
Ms. Jackie Queen, NWTT Supplemental EIS/OEIS Project Manager, at 360-25j -3852, or email
jackie.queen@navy.mil.
Please help the Navy inform the community about the intent to prepare the Supplemental
EIs/oEIs for at-sea training and testing in the Pacific Nonhwest by sharing this information
with your staff and interested individuals.
Sincerely,
X\r9-ar
L. M. FOSTER
By direction
Enclosure: 1 . Northwest Training and Testing Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement Study Area
2
Enclosure 1: Northwest Training and Testing Supplemental
Environmental I ct Statement/Overseas Environmental I act Statement Stud Area
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