Navy Releases Final Environmental Assessment for Dare County Bombing Range

The Navy has completed and released to the public an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact for infrastructure improvements and maintenance actions at the Navy Dare County Bombing Range in North Carolina. The purpose of the EA is to enable the Navy to continue to provide realistic training scenarios and complete maintenance operations while enhancing range personnel safety and increasing operational range clearance capabilities.

Navy Dare County Bombing Range is the closest range for pilots based out of Naval Air Station Oceana and Naval Station Norfolk and is used year-round to train pilots and maintain military readiness.

Based on the analysis presented in the EA, which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of National Environmental Policy Act and Navy regulations, the Navy finds that this action will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment or natural environment or generate significant controversy. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared and the Navy will proceed with improvements to the Navy Dare County Bombing Range as described in the EA.

The Proposed Action will result in permanently filling up to approximately 30 acres of wetlands in a phased manner over the course of several years. The Navy will obtain a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and a state certification under Section 401 prior to beginning construction. The Navy will mitigate wetland impacts via purchase of wetland credits through a mitigation bank located in the same watershed as the Dare County Bombing Range or as otherwise required by the permitting authority.  The Navy will adhere to permit conditions and requirements for the duration of construction activities. 

Copies of the EA can be obtained from: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Code EV22 (Dare County Bombing Range Project Manager), 6506 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, Virginia 23508; or by phone at (757) 322-4813. 

A copy of the Finding of No Significant Impact is provided here.