Following public outcry, the U.S Navy has extended until Wednesday, March 11 the deadline for public comments on expanded new plans for weapons testing in the ocean, in the air and on land in the Pacific Northwest.
Mendocino County ocean waters from shore to 250 miles out are included in the area where the Navy wants to test new aircraft, missiles, underwater explosives and sonar.
Controversy has erupted over increased use of sonar and underwater explosions, which can injure whales.
While the military has been training in the area since before World War I, the Navy wants to introduce new weapons to the area that will have substantial environmental impacts. All branches of the service would use the training area.
A 728-page environmental impact statement (EIS) prepared by the Navy describes a dizzying array of hi-tech gizmos, including unmanned aerial systems, new surface to air missiles, and sonobuoys. The Navy would deploy 9,651 of the sonar-emitting sonobouys each year under their preferred plan.
Also to be tried out under the Navy”s preferred alternative would be unmanned or “drone” aircraft, development of a training minefield fixed to the ocean bottom, development of a portable undersea tracking range, and development of new air and surface target services.
Military magazines have reported on stealth submarines and drone submarines that can hide in shallow water and listen in on cell phone calls.
“In nearshore habitats, underwater explosions take place in designated training areas both near the water”s surface and near the bottom,” the EIS states.
The EIS also offers one of the most comprehensive and detailed documents about the Pacific Northwest ocean and its creatures. The report is found at www.nwtrangecomplexeis.com
The Website contains an audio and movie presentation that explains why the training is needed by all branches of the service and how the Navy seeks to be good stewards of the environment.
“Realistic training is the most crucial asset available for training members of the Armed Services,” the audio says.
The Navy has now extended the public comment period twice for a process that critics say has been going on “under the radar.”
Oregon”s congressional delegation won the latest delay last week. An email to Congressman Mike Thompson by this reporter went unanswered.
One newspaper account stated that both U.S. senators from California were contacted, with both offices mystified about what the reporter was asking about.
The only meeting in California was in Eureka, with calls now on for more meetings and for at least one public forum in Mendocino County.
The EIS gives the Navy choices from a no-change alternative to two others that increase the training and weapons testing in the area.
The most intensive activities are in special designated areas off Oregon and Washington.
Until March 11, the public can provide comments on the draft EIS as part of the “scoping process.” Next, a final environmental statement will be released for public review that responds to all those public comments
“Finally, a Record of Decision (ROD) will summarize the Navy”s decision and describe the public involvement and agency decision-making processes, and include commitments to specific mitigation measures,” the EIS says.
Electronic comments can be submitted using a form on the website. Mailed commenters are asked to use the same form, which can be downloaded and printed and sent to; Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, 1101 Tautog Circle, Suite 203, Silverdale, WA 98315-1101, ATTN: Mrs. Kimberly Kler – NWTRC EIS.
