Natural Resources
The Navy trains in the same environments as the wildlife, plants and animals
that rely on the land and ocean ecosystems of the VACAPES Range Complex. Taking the necessary precautions to minimize effects
of Navy activities on these resources are Navy priorities.
The National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) process allows the Navy an opportunity
to review and assess its operations,
ensuring that the benefits of recent scientific and technological advances are applied toward
minimizing environmental effects.
Preparing a Detailed EIS/OEIS
The Navy will prepare a detailed EIS/OEIS using data from:
Integrated Natural/Cultural Resources Management Plans: Comprehensive and integrated
management plans for land-based natural/cultural resources protection.
Marine Resource Assessments: Comprehensive reviews of protected species sighting,
stranding, and survey data, as well as peer-reviewed literature and National Marine Fisheries
Service reports, including stock assessments and recovery plans.
Density Estimates: Estimates of species abundance in a study area based on analysis of
shipboard and/or aerial survey data.
Available Scientific Literature and Study Results.
U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Research
The U.S. Navy takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and is a world
leader in marine mammal research, providing nearly $10 million annually to universities,
research institutions, federal laboratories, private companies, and independent
researchers around the world. Seventy percent of all U.S. research on the effects
of human-generated sound on marine mammals and 50 percent of such research conducted
worldwide is sponsored by the U.S. Navy. Major topics of Navy-supported research
include:
Better understanding of marine species distribution and important habitat areas
Developing methods to detect and monitor marine species prior to and during training
Understanding the effects of sound on marine mammals, sea turtles, fish, and birds
Developing tools to model and estimate potential effects of sound
DoD Research and Conservation Programs
Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP): A program that
funds innovative environmental technologies for the Department of Defense (DoD).
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program. A program that promotes
innovative environmental technologies through demonstration and validation at DoD
sites.
Department of Defense (DoD) Legacy Program. This program provides financial assistance
to the DoD efforts to preserve our natural and cultural heritage, assists DoD in
protecting and enhancing resources while supporting military readiness.
The Navy’s Ongoing Protective and Conservation Measures
Environmental protection efforts have been a standard component of Navy operations for
decades, enabling vital Navy training while protecting the terrestrial and marine environments.
The Navy has developed a sophisticated set of procedures and tools to avoid harm and minimize
effects to terrestrial and marine species and habitats. To protect and safeguard the marine
environment, every Navy ship and its crew are thoroughly trained in and follow specific standard
operating procedures.
Avoiding important habitats and Marine Protected Areas
Sargassum mats (floating seaweed), coral reefs and Marine Protected Areas are important habitats
for marine species. Officers are aware of Marine Protected Areas and coral reef and monitor
for Sargassum mats, and implement avoidance measures to ensure that none are affected.
Terrestrial Measures
Dune protection and restoration; sea turtle nesting surveys and protection; endangered
species surveys and management; and wetlands protection and restoration.
Establishing standoff distances for marine species
Naval vessels avoid approaching whales head-on, and maneuver to keep at least 500 yards away from observed
whales.
Implementing protective measures for North Atlantic right whales
Protection of the North Atlantic right whale is an issue of considerable concern and interest along the U.S. east coast.
Navy personnel undergo comprehensive training to identify and spot North Atlantic right whales, including:
Increasing crew member vigilance to avoid interaction with whales along the mid-Atlantic coast during migration
and calving seasons.
Employing consistent practices to avoid approaching any whale head-on and keeping at least 500 yards away
from observed whales.
Publicizing whale sightings in an early warning system to increase awareness among ocean users.
Posting shipboard lookouts
Navy shipboard lookouts (also referred to as
“watchstanders”) are highly qualified and experienced observers of the marine
environment. These personnel undergo extensive training and learn their role in
environmental protection, laws governing the protection of marine species, and
the Navy’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Monitoring for marine species prior to training exercises
Prior to training, Navy personnel monitor the ocean area, both
visually and acoustically, for marine mammal and sea turtle
activity. If the animals are present, the training activity is altered
or suspended to minimize the potential for effects.
Supporting Vital Marine Mammal Research
The U.S. Navy takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and is a world leader in marine mammal research,
providing nearly $10 million annually to universities, research institutions, Federal laboratories, private companies,
and independent researchers around the world. Seventy percent of all U.S. research on the effects of human-generated
sound on marine mammals and 50 percent of such research conducted worldwide is sponsored by the U.S. Navy.
Major topics of Navy-supported research include:
Better understanding marine species distribution and important habitat areas
Developing methods to detect and monitor marine species prior to and during training
Understanding the effects of sound on marine mammals, sea turtles, and fish
Developing tools to model and estimate potential effects of sound
Resource Analysis
Minimizing Potential Effects to the Environment
Defending the U.S. and protecting military personnel requires continuous and realistic training in the
air, on land and at sea. The VACAPES Range Complex provides unique conditions and an
ideal setting for the Navy to conduct this essential training.
Protection of our environmental and natural resources is an integral part of the
Navy training program. The Navy is preparing the VACAPES
Range Complex Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS/OEIS) to assess the potential effects of training on environmental, cultural and socioeconomic
resources in and around the range complex.
The EIS/OEIS process also provides an opportunity for the Navy to openly review and assess
its current and planned operations at a comprehensive range complex level and ensure that
the benefits of operational, scientific and technological advances are applied toward minimizing
effects.
Evaluating Resources
The natural resources in and around the VACAPES Range Complex are enjoyed by many for their livelihoods, recreation purposes and aesthetics. The waters and
coastal areas around the Range Complex are popular for sport fishing, commercial fishing, diving,
shipwreck exploration and other recreational activities (e.g., boating or
kayaking). They also serve as critical routes
for commercial shipping interests.
Navy operations and commercial and recreational ocean activity have coexisted in the VACAPES
Range Complex for decades. The Navy’s public safety and protective measures,
such as, advance notification of scheduled activities, minimize inconveniences
to public interests and help ensure the continued safe and cooperative coexistence.
The Navy understands and recognizes the potential for training activities to affect
the community and
local industries and takes proactive steps to minimize these effects. As part of preparing the
EIS/OEIS, the Navy will carefully evaluate potential effects of its current and proposed activities on:
Marine mammals
Sea turtles
Fish
Sea birds
Plankton
Invertebrates
Corals
Wildlife and plants
Air quality
Water quality
Cultural resources
Socioeconomics
Other resources as identified
Environmental Regulations
Numerous Federal regulations govern activities at sea, including Navy training activities,
with emphasis on protecting and preserving environmental resources. The Navy strictly adheres to Federal regulations,
including:
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
NEPA (1969)
established national policies and goals for the protection of the
environment. Procedural requirements direct all Federal agencies
to appropriately consider the environmental effects of their
decision-making and to prepare detailed environmental statements
on any action that may significantly affect the quality of
the environment. (See associated NEPA fact sheet.)
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). MMPA (1972) established
regulations related to the “taking” – or harassing, hunting,
capturing or killing – of marine mammals, or the attempt to do
so. The Secretary of Commerce has the authority, upon request,
to authorize the unintentional taking of marine mammals
incidental to activities if the National Marine Fisheries Service
determines the takes to have a negligible impact on the species
or stock.
Endangered Species Act (ESA). Established to conserve the nation’s natural heritage by protecting wildlife species,
the ESA (1973) sets out requirements for Federal agencies with regard to potential impacts of actions on endangered or
threatened species and their habitat.
Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). CZMA (1972) provides for the preservation, protection, development, restoration
and enhancement of the nation’s coastal zone resources.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (1976) provides for the conservation and management of U.S. fishery resources. The Act was reauthorized
and amended by the Sustainable Fisheries Act (1996) to include habitat conservation provisions in the form of
“Essential Fish Habitat” designation and protection.
Clean Water Act (CWA). CWA (1977) established regulations to control discharges of pollutants into the waters of
the U.S., including wetlands. The CWA sets wastewater standards for industry and requires the use of best available
technologies to control sources of water pollution to protect human health and the environment.
Clean Air Act (CAA). CAA (1970) established regulations to control air pollution
and protect public health and the environment. Subsequent amendments also address
acid rain, ground -level ozone pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion and toxics.
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The NHPA (1966),
Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (1990), and the Archaeological
Resources Protection Act (1979) protect and preserve the cultural resources
found on military installations and ranges.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). CERCLA enacted in 1980, provides
a process for identifying, investigating, and remediating releases of hazardous
substances into the environment from contaminated sites.
| Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Established in 1976, RCRA
provides a comprehensive legislative framework for a cradle-to-grave hazardous waste
management program. |
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