The public scoping period was open from Feb. 10, 2020, to March 11, 2020. The commenting period is now closed. Thank you for your participation in the process. The Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS is anticipated to be released for public review and comment in winter 2020/2021.

Public participation is an important part of the NEPA process. Submitting substantive and concise public comments is one of the most important aspects of the process.

“Substantive” comments, in the sense of an environmental impact analysis, are comments on the analysis that contain practical importance, value, or effect. Submitting a substantive and concise public comment on the Supplemental EIS/OEIS Proposed Action is one of the most important aspects of the NEPA process.

The most effective comments are those that provide useful information to the Navy. For instance, submit comments if you find:

• New information that would change the analysis and conclusions.
• Any peer-reviewed scientific literature that should be considered in the analysis.
• Something that should be clarified.
• A substantially different alternative that meets the purpose and need statement and has not been considered.
• An error in analysis that may affect the outcome (applicable once the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS is released).

General recommendations to keep in mind when making comments on any NEPA document: 

• Support statements with details. If, for example, you are concerned about biological resources, it is helpful to focus on a particular problem or issue, such as a species that you feel should be analyzed in the Supplemental EIS/OEIS, instead of making a broad statement such as “The Navy should analyze impacts on biological resources adequately.”
• Back up your statements with explanations, facts, and references, as appropriate. 
• Be as specific as possible with your comments. 
• Focus comments on the specifics of the proposed project under consideration.
• Submit your comments within the timeframes announced to ensure that your concerns are considered and addressed in the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS. 
• Request to be included on the Supplemental EIS/OEIS mailing list to receive notification of public meetings and project information. 
• Become familiar with the scope of the analysis, including the purpose and need statement, potential environmental issues, viable alternatives, and the responsibilities of the lead agency (Navy).
• Review the project website to become familiar with the proposal, learn about the NEPA process, understand the responsibilities and authorities of the federal agency, keep up to date on future public meetings and comment periods, get answers to frequently asked questions, and view agency notifications.
• Substantive comments received during the scoping process are used to determine the scope of issues to be analyzed in depth and identify potential alternatives to be considered. Comments on the scope of the analysis are not counted as votes or as part of a referendum on Navy decisions. They are used to improve the document and analyses, and to ensure impacts are adequately determined before the Navy makes a final decision on the proposed project. Therefore, avoid comments that state “I am in favor of this project,” or “I am opposed to this project.” Remember that the more clear, concise, and relevant to the scope of the analysis your comments are, the more effective they will be and the more likely they will be used to improve the draft and final documents and affect the agency decisions.