Alternatives Analyzed

The Action Proponents analyzed three alternatives in the Draft SEIS/OEIS:

• No Action Alternative: Under this alternative, the Action Proponents would not conduct proposed military readiness activities associated with the Proposed Action within the Study Area, and NMFS would not reissue an authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. For FDM, the lease agreement would remain in place, and the island would be maintained as a Navy range, though strike warfare training would cease. This alternative does not meet the purpose of and need for the Proposed Action because it prevents the Action Proponents from meeting statutory readiness requirements and would result in an unacceptable increase in risk to military personnel and national security. The No Action Alternative is included in the analysis to serve as a baseline for comparing the potential effects of Alternatives 1 and 2.


• Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative): Under this alternative, proposed military readiness activities would occur into the reasonably foreseeable future. This alternative reflects a representative year of activity to account for fluctuations in deployment schedules. This alternative also includes testing unmanned aerial and surface vehicles for the integration of modern technology.


• Alternative 2: This alternative includes the same military readiness activities as Alternative 1 but assumes the maximum level of activity could occur every year over a seven-year period.