NORFOLK, Va. –
The Navy has 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.
The Navy follows strict guidelines and employs protective measures while training and testing to reduce effects on marine species. 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.
Today’s announcement begins a public scoping period for the EIS/OEIS. The scoping period will end on Jan. 12, 2016. Scoping is an important part of the EIS/OEIS process, and provides the public with an opportunity to submit comments on environmental concerns that they believe should be addressed in the EIS/OEIS.
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.