The Navy has released an environmental impact statement focused on Navy training and testing that occurs throughout the Pacific Northwest.
This EIS is not related to the ongoing studies for the P-8A Poseidons, which will be completed in May, or the EA-18G Growlers which just started in July.
“We’ve been doing Navy training for some time now and this study helps us to continue that training,” said Lianne Nakahara, Navy Region Northwest public affairs specialist.
A public meeting will be held 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Oak Harbor High School. During that meeting, residents may review documents and displays.
There will also be a presentation by the Navy at 6:30 p.m.
The EIS document will be available for review online, as well as in printed form at the Oak Harbor Library.
“It’s a big document so if people want to briefly look through it and ask questions on specific topics, such as marine mammals, pollution or even noise, they can do that,” Nakahara said.
The purpose of the EIS is to determine the environmental impact of the Navy’s mission “to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas,” according to a Friday press release.
That mission is achieved in part by training and testing within the Northwest Training and Testing study area, which also supports the renewal of federal regulatory permits and authorizations.
The public is invited to comment in person at the public meeting, online or by mail at: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Attention Kimberly Kler, NWTT EIS/OEIS Project Manager, 1101 Tautog Circle, Suite 203, Silverdale, WA 98315.
Comments must be postmarked, received online or in person by March 25 for consideration in the final EIS.
The document, videos and additional information about the project can be found at www.nwtteis.com
