April 24, 2024 –
The Navy has extended the public comment period related to the Draft Amended Analysis to the 2018 Final Environmental Impact Statement and 2019 Record of Decision for EA-18G Growler Airfield Operations at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Complex. Originally scheduled to conclude on April 28, the Navy will now accept comments until 11:59 p.m. PDT May 13.
Comments can be submitted to the project website, or by mail to: Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic; Attention: Code EV21JB (Growler Project Manager); 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23508‐1278. Comments should describe specific issues or topics. Comments outside the scope of the Draft Amended Analysis will not be considered.
This Draft Amended Analysis (1) updates greenhouse gas emissions calculations and explains the basis for those calculations; (2) clarifies and expands on the analysis of species-specific impacts on birds; (3) refines the analysis of the impact of increased operations on childhood learning and attempts to quantify the degree of impact to the extent supported by the best available science; and (4) reassesses whether relocating some or all of the Growler community to Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro is a reasonable alternative and provides a fuller explanation of the Navy’s reasoning for eliminating the alternative from detailed study.
The analysis is available online for public review at the project website located at www.nepa.navy.mil/growler. A paper copy of the Draft Amended Analysis may be reviewed at 22 public libraries in the northern Puget Sound region. The full list of libraries and corresponding addresses may be found at the project website.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Fleet Forces Command, 1562 Mitscher Avenue Suite 250, Norfolk, VA 23551-2487, Attention: Mr. Theodore Brown, Installations and Environment Public Affairs Officer, 757-836-4427, theodore.c.brown4.civ@us.navy.mil, or visit the project website www.nepa.navy.mil/growler/.
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