Public input sought on Navy plans for training

The Navy is seeking public comment as it evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with at-sea training and testing activities in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

A notice of intent was published recently in the Federal Register indicating the Navy’s plans to prepare an Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing Environmental Impact Statement.

As part of the public input process, a meeting will be held next month in Morehead City, giving area residents the opportunity to ask questions and express any concerns they may have. Written comments are being accepted through Sept. 14.

According to information in the federal register, the training and testing activities being evaluated within the study area include the use of active sonar and explosives.

The Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing region covers approximately 2.6 million square nautical miles and encompasses the at-sea portions of the Navy range complexes and research, development, testing and evaluation ranges along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. With the exception of the lower Chesapeake Bay, inland waters and landbased portions of these range complexes and RDT&E ranges are not included.

A series of public meetings will be held   in August, with the North Carolina meeting being held Aug. 26 at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City.

The meeting is an open house format with the public invited to stop by anytime between 4 and 8 p.m.

Written comments may be submitted online or by mail at: Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic; Attention: AFFT EIS/ OEIS PM – Code EV-22LL; 6506 Hampton Boulevard; Norfolk, VA 23508-1278.