The Record of Decision is now available for viewing.

Navy Training Activities Supplemental EIS/OEIS
United States Pacific Fleet
 
 
 

Welcome to the U.S. Navy's website for the Gulf of Alaska Navy Training Activities Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS).

On January 4, 2023, the Navy released its Record of Decision to continue periodic military training activities within the Gulf of Alaska Temporary Maritime Activities Area and Western Maneuver Area, collectively referred to as the Gulf of Alaska Study Area, as described in the Gulf of Alaska Navy Training Activities Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS). 

The Navy selected Alternative 1, its Preferred Alternative, after considering military objectives; best available science; potential impacts activities may have on human, natural, and cultural environments; and input and expertise from elected officials, government agencies, tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and the public on the proposal and environmental analysis.

Training activities include the use of active sonar in the Temporary Maritime Activities Area and weapon systems at sea that may use non-explosive or explosive munitions. Training will be conducted in the manner and at the intensity as described in Alternative 1 to allow the Navy to fully meet current and future training requirements.

The Supplemental EIS/OEIS supports the Navy’s request for federal regulatory permits and authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. 

The Navy is committed to being a good steward of the environment and will continue to implement standard operating procedures and mitigation measures, including the implementation of a new mitigation area within the continental shelf and slope of the Temporary Maritime Activities Area, and adhere to management plans and monitoring requirements to avoid or reduce potential environmental impacts from training.

This is a figure showing the National Environmental Policy Act timeline for the Gulf of Alaska Navy Training Activities Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement. The Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplemental EIS/OEIS was published February 10, 2020. The Scoping Period took place from February 10, 2020, to March 11, 2020, and was an opportunity for public review and comment. The public Release of the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS occurred December 11, 2020. The Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS Public Review and Comment Period was from December 11, 2020, to Feb. 16, 2021, and was an opportunity for public review and comment. The Notice of Intent to Prepare a Supplement to the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS was published February 1, 2022. The public Release of the Supplement to the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS occurred March 18, 2022. The Supplement to the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS Public Review and Comment Period was from March 18, 2022, to May 2, 2022, and was an opportunity for public review and comment. The Public Release of the Final Supplemental EIS/OEIS occurred on September 2, 2022, followed by a 30-Day Wait Period, which was another opportunity for public review and comment. The Record of Decision is available January 4, 2023.

Announcements

 

 

Navy Training Activities in the Gulf of Alaska - Key Updates