Welcome

Welcome to the United States (U.S.) Department of the Navy's webpage for the Environmental Assessment/Overseas Environmental Assessment (EA/OEA) for the Training and Testing of the Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (XLUUVs) and Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Port Hueneme, California.

This EA/OEA has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as implemented by Council on Environmental Quality Regulations and Navy regulations. U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Naval Sea Systems Command, commands of the U.S. Navy, propose to establish training and testing support facilities at NBVC, Port Hueneme, California, for up to six XLUUVs and two USVs.

The Proposed Action would include construction of approximately 123,000 square feet of permanent facilities to support administrative, maintenance, and training and testing needs of the unmanned systems. Construction of permanent facilities and pierside renovations are anticipated to begin no earlier than 2026. The Proposed Action would also include training and testing of the XLUUVs and USVs in the Pacific Ocean waters nearshore and offshore to the west of NBVC Port Hueneme. There are no explosive ordnance or detonation events anticipated as part of training and testing. This EA/OEA addresses training and testing that would occur from 2024 through 2026. Training and testing beyond 2026 would be addressed under future National Environmental Policy Act documentation.

The comment period for this project opened on July 5, 2024, and closed on August 4, 2024. The U.S. Navy appreciates all of the comments received. Comments will be considered and addressed in the Final EA.