Public Involvement
Background
NEPA requires federal agencies to consider the potential environmental impacts of their proposed actions before making a decision. The public has an opportunity to provide input at the following key phases of the NEPA process:
- During the public scoping phase: The public helps identify the scope of analysis, environmental resource areas, and potential alternatives to be analyzed in the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Supplemental).
- During the public comment period for the Draft Supplemental (anticipated in fall of 2024): The public evaluates and comments on the draft analysis of the Proposed Action and alternatives and their potential impacts on environmental resource areas.
- Comments submitted during the scoping phase will be taken into consideration during the development of the Draft Supplemental. Comments received during the draft review public comment period will become part of the public record and will be addressed in the Final Supplemental.
- Upon completion, the Final Supplemental will be released to the public. Following the 30-day wait period, the Department of the Navy will issue a Record of Decision.
Ways to Participate During the Public Comment Period
1) Review the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS by reading it online or reading it at one of the following libraries:
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New Bedford Free Public Library Casa da Saudade Branch
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58 Crapo St #1
New Bedford, MA 02740
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Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library
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900 Wayne Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20910
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East Bank Regional Library
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4747 W Napoleon Ave
Metairie, LA 70001
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La Retama Central Library
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805 Comanche St
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
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West Florida Public Library, Southwest Branch
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12248 Gulf Beach Hwy
Pensacola, FL 32507
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Camden County Public Library
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1410 GA-40
Kingsland, GA 31548
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Onslow County Library
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58 E Doris Ave
Jacksonville, NC 28540
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Providence Public Library
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150 Empire St
Providence, RI 02903
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Portland Public Library
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5 Monument Sq
Portland, ME 04101
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Broward County Main Library
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100 S Andrews Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
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2) View Fact Sheets, Posters and Videos about the project
3) Attend one of the in-person or virtual public meetings listed below to get more information:
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October 8, 2024 at New Bedford Whaling Museum
5 – 7 p.m. ET
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18 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA 02740
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October 10, 2024 at Silver Spring Civic Building
5 – 7 p.m. ET
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1 Veterans Place
Silver Spring, MD 20910
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October 16, 2024 at New Orleans Marriott, Metairie at Lakeway
5 – 7 p.m. ET
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3638 N. Causeway Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70002
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October 22, 2024 via Virtual public meeting
6 – 7 p.m. ET (Zoom.gov)
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Register here
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October 24, 2024 via Virtual public meeting
2 – 3 p.m. ET (Zoom.gov)
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Register here
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How to Provide Comments During the Public Comment Period
The public comment period opens September 20, 2024, and closes November 21, 2024. During this time, you can submit your input by:
- Providing verbal or written comments at one of the in-person public meetings
- Submitting written comments via electronic webform on the Public Comments page or U.S. Postal Mail at the following address:
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic
Attention: Code EV22SG
(AFTT EIS Project Managers)
6506 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23508-1278
Comments must be postmarked or received online by 11:59 PM Eastern on 21 November 2024 to be considered during the development of the Final Supplemental EIS/OEIS.