The Navy has decided to base six P-8A squadrons at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station at the close of the Environmental Impact Study. The decision was published in the Federal Register April 25.

The Navy weighed two alternatives during the EIS process and chose the option to base six fleet squadrons at NAS Whidbey and six fleet squadrons plus the replacement squadron at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Florida.

The choice also calls for a permanent rotating squadron detachment at Hawaii Marine Corps Base and periodic squadron detachments to Corondo Naval Base in California.

The decision presents the “greatest re-use of existing facilities and optimizes manpower, simulators, and facilities at NAS Jacksonville and NAS Whidbey Island,” according to a Wednesday news release.

The second option would have based seven squadrons at NAS Whidbey and five squadrons at NAS Jacksonville.

The decision is available for review on the project website at www.mmaseis.com. Copies have also been distributed to the Oak Harbor City Library, 1000 S.E. Regatta Drive, and the Coupeville Public Library, 788 N.W. Alexander St.