"The Department of the Navy has prepared this Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (OEIS) to assess the potential environmental impacts over a 10-year planning horizon associated with Navy training; research, development, testing, and evaluation activities; and associated range capabilities enhancements in the Gulf of Mexico (GOMEX) Range Complex. The Study Area is composed of four operating areas (OPAREAs) (i.e., Corpus Christi, New Orleans, Pensacola, and Panama City); at-sea special use airspace (warning areas); the area from the shoreline to the Corpus Christi, Pensacola, and Panama City OPAREAs; overland airspace (military operating areas) in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida; the NSA Panama City Demolition Pond; and two inland range areas- the McMullen County Range and Noxubee County Range. The potential effects to physical, biological, and man-made environments from the testing and training alternatives were studied to determine how the proposed action could affect these resources"--Abstract.

The United States Department of the Navy (Navy) prepared this Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Overseas EIS (OEIS) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code §4321 et seq.); the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations [C.F.R.] §§1500 et seq.); Navy Procedures for Implementing NEPA (32 C.F.R. §775); and Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions. The Navy identified its need to support and conduct current, emerging, and future training and testing activities in the Hawaii-Southern California Study Area, which is made up of air and sea space off Southern California, around the Hawaiian Islands, and the air and sea space connecting them. Three alternatives were analyzed in this EIS/OEIS: The No Action Alternative represents those training and testing activities as set forth in previously completed environmental planning documentation. Alternative 1 includes the training and testing activities addressed in the No Action Alternative, plus an adjustment to the Hawaii study area boundaries and proposed adjustments to types, location, and levels of training and testing activities. Alternative 2 includes all elements of Alternative 1 plus establishes new range capabilities, modifies existing capabilities, and adjusts the type and tempo of training and testing. In this EIS/OEIS, the Navy analyzed potential environmental impacts that result or could result from activities under the No Action Alternative, Alternative 1, and Alternative 2. The resources evaluated include sediments and water quality, air quality, marine habitats, marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, marine vegetation, marine invertebrates, fish, cultural resources, socioeconomic resources, and public health and safety.

"This Final EIS/OEIS has been prepared by the Department of the Navy in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code [sec.] 4321 et seq.); the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations [C.F.R.] Part 1500-1508); Department of the Navy Procedures for Implementing NEPA (32 C.F.R. Part 775); and Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions. The Navy has identified the need to support and conduct current, emerging, and future training and research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT & E) activities (unmanned aerial systems only) in the NWTRC. Three Alternatives are analyzed in this EIS/OEIS. The No Action Alternative will continue training and RDT & E activities of the same types, and at the same levels of training intensity as currently conducted, without change in the nature or scope of military activities in the EIS/OEIS Study Area. Alternative 1, in addition to accommodating training activities addressed in the No Action Alternative, would support an increase in training activities. Alternative 1 also proposes training and RDT & E required by force structure changes to be implemented for new weapons systems, instrumentation, and technology as well as new classes of ships, submarines, and new types of aircraft. Alternative 2 would include all elements of Alternative 1, in addition, under Alternative 2, training activities would be increased over levels identified in Alternative 1, and certain range enhancements would be implemented, to include new electronic combat threat simulators/targets, development of a small scale underwater training minefield, development and use of the portable undersea tracking range, and development of air and surface target services. This EIS/OEIS addresses the potential environmental impacts that result or could result from activities under the No Action Alternative, Alternative 1, and Alternative 2. Environmental resource topics evaluated include geology and soils, air quality, hazardous materials, water resources, acoustic environment (airborne), marine plants and invertebrates, fish, sea turtles, marine mammals, birds, terrestrial biological resources, cultural resources, traffic, socioeconomics, environmental justice and protection of children, and public safety"--Abstract.