The U.S. Navy has prepared a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is now available for public review and comment. This EIS re-evaluates potential impacts from ongoing military training activities conducted in the Gulf of Alaska Temporary Maritime Activities Area. The document can be found online at the project website at www.GOAEIS.com or at one of the locations listed below in the press release. The Navy invites the public to submit comments on the analysis presented in the EIS. The 60-day comment period begins this Friday, August 22 and ends October 20. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you. Very Respectfully, Liane Nakahara Public Affairs Specialist Navy Region Northwest Phone: (360) 396-1630 Fax: (360) 396-7127 ------------------------------------ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 19, 2014 Release #14-015 GULF OF ALASKA NAVY TRAINING ACTIVITIES DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT/OVERSEAS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT SILVERDALE, Wash. - The U.S. Navy has prepared a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS), which is now available for public review and comment, to re-evaluate potential impacts from ongoing military training activities conducted in the Gulf of Alaska Temporary Maritime Activities Area (TMAA). The Navy prepared this analysis to update the Gulf of Alaska Navy Training Activities Final EIS/OEIS, which was completed with community input in May 2011, and to support federal regulatory permits and authorizations. In the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS, the Navy uses a new acoustic modeling method and evaluates new, relevant information, such as new marine mammal density data and new scientific information, and updates environmental analyses as appropriate. The Navy analyzed data using the new Navy Acoustic Effects Model to evaluate potential effects on marine species from training activities. Please help inform your community by sharing this information. Proposed Action: The Navy's Proposed Action is the same as the Proposed Action in the 2011 GOA Final EIS/OEIS, which is to continue conducting periodic military training activities in the TMAA to accomplish its mission to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. This mission is achieved in part by training within the TMAA. The TMAA and Proposed Action, including the location, number and frequency of major training exercises, remain unchanged from the 2011 analysis. The Supplemental EIS/OEIS supports authorization of incidental takes of marine mammals under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and incidental takes of threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Current federal regulatory permits and authorizations will expire in May 2016. Visit the project website at www.GOAEIS.com to download the Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS, learn more about the project and submit comments online. Availability of Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS and Public Comment Period: The Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS is available for public review online at www.GOAEIS.com and at the following locations: . Alaska State Library . Copper Valley Community Library . Cordova Public Library . Homer Public Library . Kodiak Public Library . Seward Community Library . University of Alaska Fairbanks/Rasmuson Library . Z.J. Loussac Library The Navy is accepting comments throughout the 60-day public comment period, from Aug. 22, 2014, to Oct. 20, 2014. All comments must be postmarked or received online by Oct. 20, 2014, for consideration in the Final Supplemental EIS/OEIS. Written comments may be submitted via the project website at www.GOAEIS.com, in person at the public meetings or by mail to: Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest Attention: Ms. Amy Burt - GOA Supplemental EIS/OEIS Project Manager 1101 Tautog Circle, Suite 203 Silverdale, WA 98315-1101 Public Meetings: The Navy is holding five public meetings to inform the public about the Proposed Action and to provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the adequacy and accuracy of the supplemental environmental analysis. The public meetings will include an open house information session starting at 5 p.m. During this time, Navy representatives will provide information and answer questions about the Proposed Action and environmental analysis. A short presentation by the Navy will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a formal oral comment session. Written and oral comments will be accepted throughout each public meeting. The public meetings will be held at the following locations and times: Open House Information Sessions: 5-8 p.m. Navy Presentation: 6:30 p.m. Kodiak, AK Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 Elks Lodge 102 W. Marine Way Anchorage, AK Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 Z.J. Loussac Library Public Conference Room 3600 Denali St. Homer, AK Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014 Best Western Bidarka Inn Sea Breeze Room 575 Sterling Highway Juneau, AK Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014 Juneau Arts & Humanities Council Main Hall 350 Whittier St. Cordova, AK Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 Mt. Eccles Elementary School Simpler Gymnasium 201 Adams St. Individuals requiring reasonable accommodations, please contact Liane Nakahara, Navy Region Northwest Public Affairs Specialist, at 360-396-1630 or liane.nakahara @ navy.mil. -USN-