Announcements
Notice of Availability
TRIDENT II Weapon Systems Testing Program
Environmental Assessment/Overseas Environmental Assessment
The Department of the Navy, Strategic Systems Programs, has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA)/Overseas Environmental Assessment (OEA) to meet requirements of the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by evaluating the potential environmental impacts of proposed TRIDENT II Weapon Systems Testing. The Navy announces the availability of the Draft EA/OEA and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)/Finding of No Significant Harm (FONSH) and invites public review and comments on the document.
As described in the Draft EA/OEA, the Proposed Action consists of conducting flight tests and fielding evaluations for the TRIDENT II (D5) weapon systems testing program through the year 2039 in both the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions. Proposed sea-based testing would consist of up to six tests per year during Calendar Years (CYs) 2025–2028, and up to eight tests per year during CYs 2029–2039. In addition to the sea-based testing, proposed land-based test flights would include a total of up to 10 tests between CYs 2032–2036 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) in Florida. The test flights would be launched from either the land-based launch pad at CCSFS or existing naval vessels operating in the Pacific and Atlantic broad ocean areas.
The Draft EA/OEA evaluates the potential impacts to the human and natural environment from implementing the proposed TRIDENT II weapon systems testing program. The No Action Alternative is also evaluated as a requirement of NEPA to serve as a baseline from which to analyze the effects of not implementing the test program. Supported by the information and environmental analysis presented in this document, the Navy will decide whether to conduct the Proposed Action or to select the No Action Alternative. The Draft EA/OEA evaluates several environmental/resource categories within the affected environment that potentially could be impacted to provide Navy decision makers with sufficient information to plan and make informed decisions on the Proposed Action. The Navy has determined that the activities associated with the Proposed Action would not result in significant impacts to the human and natural environment and has also drafted a FONSI/FONSH.
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is a Cooperating Agency in the preparation of this Draft EA/OEA. In accordance with 32 Code of Federal Regulations 989.9, the DAF has prepared a Draft FONSI for specific actions affecting DAF property.
The Draft EA/OEA, Draft Navy FONSI/FONSH, and Draft DAF FONSI are available on the Navy’s NEPA Projects website at https://www.nepa.navy.mil/TRIDENTII-EA
The 30-day public comment period will begin May 25, 2025 and end June 24, 2025. Comments may be submitted either online on the project website at: https://www.nepa.navy.mil/TRIDENTII-EA or by mail to: Environmental Program Manager/SP2521, Strategic Systems Programs, 1250 10th Street SE, Bldg. 200, Suite 3600, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5127. Comments must be submitted or postmarked by June 24, 2025. All comments submitted during the 30-day public comment period will be part of the public record and substantive comments will be addressed in the Final EA/OEA.