Håfa Adai and Welcome!
Håfa Adai and welcome to the environmental planning website for the Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)/Overseas EIS (OEIS).
This website is an online resource for information on the preparation of the MITT SEIS/OEIS. The Department of the Navy, including both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps; the U.S. Air Force; the U.S. Army; and the U.S. Coast Guard (collectively referred to as “Action Proponents”), have prepared a supplement to the 2015 MITT EIS/OEIS and the 2020 MITT SEIS/OEIS to assess the potential environmental effects associated with the Proposed Action to continue military readiness activities at sea and on Farallon de Medinilla (FDM) (No’os) within the MITT Study Area (referred to as the “Study Area”). Military readiness activities include training; research, development, testing, and evaluation (collectively referred to as “testing”); and range modernization and sustainment.
The opportunity for public review and comment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) is now open through May 1, 2026, ChST.
As the lead agency for the Proposed Action, the Navy is responsible for the scope and content of the SEIS/OEIS under NEPA and Executive Order 12114 Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, and Section 106 consultation under NHPA.
In the Draft SEIS/OEIS, the Action Proponents analyzed new information and changes to military readiness activities as they relate to potential effects on the environment. Examples of new information and changes to the Proposed Action since the 2015 MITT EIS/OEIS and 2020 MITT SEIS/OEIS include:
- An updated compilation of activities deemed necessary to accomplish military readiness requirements;
- A revised acoustic effects model;
- Updated marine mammal density data and acoustic effects criteria and thresholds;
- Best available science (new publications and emergent studies) since the previous environmental analysis; and
- Necessary range modernization and sustainment activities.
The Action Proponents are committed to complying with applicable federal laws and regulations. The Navy is seeking reissuance of an authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to support at-sea military readiness requirements within the Study Area beyond July 2027 when the current authorization expires. Therefore, the National Marine Fisheries Service is a cooperating agency in the preparation of the SEIS/OEIS and will consider the potential effects of the Proposed Action on marine mammals and other protected marine species.
The Action Proponents will also consult, as appropriate, with Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) agencies under the Coastal Zone Management Act; with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on effects to listed marine species under the Endangered Species Act; with the National Marine Fisheries Service on essential fish habitat under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; and with historic preservation offices of Guam and the CNMI under the NHPA.