NORFOLK, Va. –
The Navy last November published a notice of intent in the Federal Register to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) to evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with conducting training and testing activities in the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Study Area beginning in November of 2018.
Proposed training and testing activities are similar to the types of activities that have been occurring in the study area for decades. Activities being evaluated in the AFTT document are required in order for the Navy to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas.
In order to provide information to the public, answer questions and accept scoping comments, the Navy will host a second informational session at the Navy’s "Stewards of the Sea" environmental exhibit at the Nauticus Museum in downtown Norfolk on Saturday, Jan. 9, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Stewards of the Sea exhibit is on the third floor of Nauticus. Members of the public attending this event may enter Nauticus at no charge by informing the front desk that they will be attending the information session. Handouts and fact sheets will be available during the session, as well as subject matter experts to answer questions from interested members of the public. Additionally, the public will be able to obtain information regarding the strict guidelines and protective measures the Navy employs while training and testing to reduce effects on marine species.
The scoping period for the EIS/OEIS will end Jan. 12, 2016. Interested stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to visit the project website, to find more information and submit comments online at www.aftteis.com.
Comments can also be mailed to:
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic
Attention: AFTT EIS/OEIS Project Manager, Code: EV22LDN
6506 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23508-1278
Comments must be postmarked or received online by Jan. 12, 2016, for consideration in the draft EIS/OEIS.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Members of the media are welcome to cover Saturday’s AFTT EIS/OEIS informational session. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Ted Brown, USFF Public Affairs, (757) 836-4427 by close of business Friday, Jan. 8.