Public Comment Sought on 2020 Draft Plan for Gulf of Alaska Navy Training Activities

U.S. Navy officials are seeking public comment through Feb. 16, 2021, on their 2020 plans for Navy training activities in the Gulf of Alaska.

Navy officials said they are currently preparing a supplemental Environmental impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Statement (EIS/OEIS) to renew required federal permits and authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protect Act and the Endangered Species Act, which expire in April 2022. The Navy proposes to continue military training in the Gulf Temporary Maritime Activities Area (TMAA). The supplemental EIS/OEIS includes the analysis of at-sea training activities projected to meet readiness requirements beyond 2022 and into the foreseeable future and reflects the most up-to-date compilation of training activities deemed necessary to accomplish military readiness during that time period, Navy officials said.

Anyone needing assistance accessing the document or attending virtual public meetings is asked to contact Julianne Stanford, Navy Region Northwest Public Affairs Office at julianne.stanford@navy.mil or 360-867-8525. For other information contact Kimberly Kler, GOA Supplemental EIS/OEIS Project Manager, at projectmanager@goaeis.com.

Comments may be submitted online at www.GOAEIS.com or by U.S. mail to Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Attention: GOA Supplemental EIS/OEIS Project Manager, 1101 Tautog Circle, Suite 203, Silverdale, WA 98315-1101.

All comments submitted will become part of the public record, and substantive comments will be addressed in the final supplemental EIS/OEIS.