Get Involved
The U.S. Navy has been training in the Virginia Capes (VACAPES) Range Complex for
national defense purposes for nearly a century. To support the continued training in VACAPES,
the Navy is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS/OEIS) for current and future training and testing operational activities
in the range complex.
Why is the Navy conducting an Environmental Impact Statement?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires Federal agencies examine
the individual and cumulative, or additive, environmental impacts of their activities.
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a detailed public document that provides
an assessment of the potential impacts a Federal action might have on the human,
natural, or cultural environment. An Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (OEIS)
is also required under Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major
Federal Actions, decreed by President Carter in 1979. This order requires Federal
agencies to consider the impacts of actions that may affect the environment outside
U.S. territorial waters.
The Navy’s sea ranges in the Atlantic Ocean provide U.S. Service members with the
space and equipment needed to conduct realistic, at-sea training and testing, which
is essential for the safety and readiness of military personnel and the success
of the military mission.
The Navy is conducting the VACAPES Range Complex EIS/OEIS to
assess the effects of the Navy’s ongoing and anticipated operations on the environment. The
VACAPES Range Complex EIS/OEIS also gives the Navy the opportunity to review its procedures
and ensure that the benefits of recent scientific and technological advances are applied
toward minimizing environmental effects.
How can the community be involved in the development of this document?
The NEPA process emphasizes the importance of community involvement during the development of an EIS/OEIS. The
diagram on the front page illustrates the steps of the NEPA process, with the highlighted boxes indicating opportunities for
the public and interested stakeholders to provide input.
The Navy held scoping meetings to inform the public of the proposed action and to solicit public comment. At each
scoping meeting, informational poster stations and Navy project team representatives were available to provide the
public with an opportunity to learn more about the NEPA process, the proposed action, and the Navy’s environmental
stewardship programs and protective conservation measures. Government agencies, organizations, and the public were
encouraged to submit comments at the scoping meetings or to provide written comments throughout the public comment
period. The scoping comment period ended on September 30, 2007. A Revised Notice of Intent, identifying potential
shallow water inert mine warfare training areas in the southern portion of the Chesapeake Bay, re-opened the scoping
period between September 5th and 30th 2007. The Navy will carefully considered each of the comments received and
address them in the Draft EIS/OEIS.
The U.S. Navy held public hearings and a public comment period (June 28, 2008 -
August 11, 2008) for the
VACAPES Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS/OEIS). This document assesses the potential environmental consequences
associated with Navy Atlantic Fleet training and research, development, testing,
and evaluation (RDT&E) activities, and associated range capabilities enhancements
(including infrastructure enhancements) in the VACAPES Range Complex.
The third opportunity for public comment is a 30-day review and comment period following
issuance of the final EIS, which has addressed all comments received on the draft
EIS.
When and where were the public hearings held?
To encourage public input, the Navy held public hearings for the VACAPES Range Complex EIS/OEIS at four
locations in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. The dates for the Draft VACAPES EIS/OIES public hearings were as follows:
Ocean City, MD
Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel & Conf. Center
9100 Coastal Hwy
Ocean City, MD 21842
Monday, July 14, 2008 5 pm – 9 pm |
Chincoteague, VA
Chincoteague Community Center
6155 Community Drive
Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 5 pm – 9 pm |
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach Resort & Conf. Center
2800 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 5 pm – 9 pm |
Nags Head, NC
Hilton Garden Inn
5353 N. Va. Dare Trail.
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
Thursday, July 17, 2008 5 pm – 9 pm |
Each hearing began with an open house poster session from 5-7 p.m. This provided
the public an opportunity to meet with Navy subject matter experts and learn
more about the DEIS/OEIS. A formal presentation and public comment period were
held from 7-9 p.m. The Navy welcomed the public's comments during
this time.
Are project documents available at publicly accessible locations?
In addition to holding public meetings, the Navy has established a user-friendly Web site that makes it easy to find out
what environmental documents are circulating and how to comment on them. The Web site also provides background
information on environmental topics evaluated in these documents for those who want to learn more. When completed, the Draft and Final EIS/OEIS will also be available for public review by visiting any of the following information repositories:
Salisbury, MD
Wicomico Public Library
122 South Division Street
Street Salisbury, MD 21801 |
Chincoteague, VA
Island Library
4077 Main Street
Chincoteague, VA 23336 |
Virginia Beach, VA
Central Library
4100 Virginia Beach Blvd
Virginia Beach, VA 23452 |
Kill Devil Hills, NC
Kill Devil Hills Branch Library
400 S. Mustian St
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 |
Rehoboth Beach, DE
Rehoboth Beach Public Library
226 Rehoboth Avenue
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
|
Ocean City, MD
Ocean City Branch Library
10003 Coastal Highway
Ocean City, MD 21842
|
The comment period ended on August 11, 2008. The third opportunity for public
comment is a 30-day review and comment period following issuance of the final EIS,
which has addressed all comments received on the draft EIS.