"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.

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.] Parts 1500-1508); Navy Procedures for Implementing NEPA (32 C.F.R. Part 775); and Executive Order (EO) 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 Northwest Training and Testing Study Area (Study Area), which is made up of air and sea space in the eastern north Pacific Ocean region, located adjacent to the Northwest coast of the United States, to include the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound (including Hood Canal), and Western Behm Canal in southeastern Alaska. Three alternatives are analyzed in this EIS/OEIS: * The No Action Alternative represents baseline training and testing activities as defined by existing Navy environmental planning documents, including the Northwest Training Range Complex EIS/OEIS, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport Range Complex Extension EIS/OEIS, and the Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility EIS. The baseline testing activities also include other testing events that historically occur in the Study Area and have been subject to previous analysis pursuant to NEPA and EO 12114. * Alternative 1 includes the training and testing activities addressed in the No Action Alternative, plus adjustments to types and levels of activities from the baseline as necessary to support current and planned Department of the Navy training and testing requirements. * Alternative 2 includes all elements of Alternative 1 plus adjustments to tempo of activities. Training activities would generally remain the same as proposed under Alternative 1, while testing activities would increase, on average, about 12 percent over those in Alternative 1. In this EIS/OEIS, the Navy analyzes potential environmental impacts that result or could result from activities under the No Action Alternative, Alternative 1, and Alternative 2. Resource areas that will be addressed include, but are not limited to, sediments and water quality, air quality, marine habitats, marine mammals, sea turtles, birds, marine vegetation, marine invertebrates, fish, cultural resources, American Indian and Alaska Native traditional resources, socioeconomic resources, and public health and safety. This Final EIS/OEIS includes revisions to the Draft EIS/OEIS based on public comments as well as incorporation of analysis from the Supplement to the Draft EIS/OEIS and revisions to that information based on public comments.

Informational materials and brief environmental impact statements intended to generate public comment on proposed active-sonar naval training activities in the northern Pacific Ocean.

Informational materials and draft environmental impact statement intended to generate public comment on proposed active-sonar naval training activities in the northern Pacific Ocean.