NEPA Process and Community Involvement
Where does the Navy train in Alaska?
The Gulf of Alaska and Alaska’s inland training areas offer the U.S.
Navy a unique combination of attributes that make it a strategically important training
venue. Among these attributes are the size of the training areas, their proximity
to other military forces, and the unique oceanographic and environmental conditions
of the ocean areas. Within the Gulf of Alaska, the Navy trains in the temporary
Maritime Exercise Area to prepare its Sailors to defend our nation
and work with other armed forces in a joint training environment. The Navy also
conducts air activities in established U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army inland ranges.
To comprehensively evaluate potential environmental effects from current and future
Navy activities in Alaska and in the Gulf of Alaska, the Navy is preparing an Environmental
Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS).
Why is the Navy preparing an EIS/OEIS?
The Navy is preparing an EIS/OEIS to assess effects on the environment from current
and ongoing Navy activities as well as from a potential increase in activities as
the Navy plans for the future. The EIS/OEIS also gives the Navy the opportunity
to review its procedures to ensure that the benefits of recent scientific and technological
advances are applied toward minimizing environmental effects.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires federal agencies to
examine the individual and cumulative, or additive, environmental effects of their
activities. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a detailed public document
that provides an assessment of the potential effects a federal action may have on
the human, natural, or cultural environment.
An Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (OEIS) is being prepared to comply with
U.S. Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects
Abroad of Major Federal Actions, of 1979. This order requires federal
agencies to consider the potential effects of actions on the environment that is
outside U.S. territorial waters. U.S. territorial waters extend out to 12 nautical
miles from shore.
How can the community be involved?
Community involvement is a significant aspect in the development of an EIS/OEIS.
The adjacent diagram illustrates the steps of the NEPA process. The arrows
indicate opportunities for the public and interested stakeholders to provide input
as the document is developed.
Scoping Meetings
The Navy held three open house style scoping meetings in Alaska to inform the public
about the Proposed Action and to solicit public comment.
At each scoping meeting, informational poster stations and Navy project team
representatives provided the public with an opportunity to learn more about the NEPA
process, Navy training, the Proposed Action, the Navy’s environmental stewardship
programs, and protective measures for marine resources. Government agencies,
organizations, and the public submitted comments at the scoping meetings and
during the public comment period. The Navy will consider each of the comments
received and address them in the Draft EIS/OEIS.
When is my next opportunity to provide an input in this process?
The Navy will hold public hearings in mid-2009 for the purpose of receiving
comments on the Draft Gulf of Alaska Navy Training Activities EIS/OEIS.
Specific times, dates, and locations will be announced as the Draft EIS is
released to the public.
Where can I find more information?
The Navy has established this Web site that
makes it easy to find more information about the project. The Web site also provides
background information on environmental topics referenced in project documents.
The Draft and Final versions of the Gulf of Alaska Navy Training Activities EIS/OEIS
will be posted to the Web site when it is available for public review.
The public may also review project information and environmental documents related
to the Gulf of Alaska Navy Training Activities EIS/OEIS by visiting any of the following
information locations:
Z.J. Loussac Library
Government Documents
3600 Denali St.
Anchorage, AK 99503
|
Alaska State Library
Government Documents
333 Willoughby Ave., 8th Floor
Juneau, AK 99811
|
A. Holmes Johnson Memorial Library
319 Lower Mill Bay Road
Kodiak, AK 99615
|
University of Alaska Fairbanks Rasmussen Library
Government Documents
310 Tanana Loop
Fairbanks, AK 99775 |
Cordova Public Library
622 First St.
Cordova, AK 99574
|
Copper Valley Community Library
Mile 186 Glenn Highway
Glennallen, AK 99588
|
Seward Community Library
238 Fifth Ave.
Seward, AK 99664
|
Homer Public Library
141 W. Pioneer Ave.
Homer, AK 99603
|
Following the release of the Gulf of Alaska Navy Training Activities Draft EIS/OEIS,
interested parties will be able to comment at the public hearings, by submitting written
comments, and by commenting online on this website. Details about these comment
opportunities will be provided here following the release of the Draft EIS/OEIS.