The Navy plans three public scoping meetings early next month to obtain public input on an Environmental Impact Statement or EIS for EA-18G Growler operations at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with ongoing EA-18G Growler airfield operations at NAS Whidbey Island’s Ault Field and Outlying Landing Field Coupeville, including the proposed introduction of two additional expeditionary electronic attack squadrons and the addition of aircraft to the fleet replacement squadron.

The scoping process will be used to identify community concerns and local issues to be addressed in the EIS.

As part of the public involvement during scoping the Navy will host three open house information sessions.

All of these meetings will take place from 4-8 p.m.

First will be held Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the Coupeville High School commons area, 501 South Main St. in Coupeville.

The second will be Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Oak Harbor High School Student Union Building, 1 Wildcat Way in Oak Harbor.

And the third and final meeting will be Thursday, Dec. 5, in the Anacortes Middle School cafeteria, 2202 M Ave. in Anacortes.

The meetings will be conducted in an open house format with informational displays and materials available for public review. There will be no formal presentations. Navy staff will be present to answer general questions on the proposed action and the EIS process.

Members of the public are encouraged to provide scoping comments to ensure the Navy is aware of all of the issues and factors to be addressed in the EIS.

Scoping comments will be accepted in writing or dictated to a stenographer at these public meetings.

Members of the public may also submit comments via mail to: EA-18G EIS Project Manager (Code EV21/SS), Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic, 6506 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23508.  Comments may also be submitted to www.whidbeyeis.com

All comments will be accepted throughout the scoping period, which concludes Jan. 3.