Get Involved

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The U.S. Navy has been training in the Jacksonville (JAX) Range Complex for national defense purposes for over 60 years. To support the continued training in JAX, 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 land and sea ranges 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 preparing the JAX Range Complex EIS/OEIS to assess the effects of the Navy’s ongoing and anticipated operations on the environment. The JAX 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 box indicating the current step in the process that provides opportunities for the public and interested stakeholders to provide input.

The Navy held four scoping meetings in 2007 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.  The Navy carefully considered each of the comments and addressed them in the draft EIS/OEIS document.

The U.S. Navy held public hearings and a public comment period (June 28, 2008 - August 11, 2008) for the Jacksonville (JAX) 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 JAX Range Complex (including Charleston/JAX Operating Area).

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 are the public hearings being held?

To encourage public input, the Navy held public meetings for the JAX Range Complex EIS/OEIS. The dates for the Draft JAX EIS/OES public hearings were as Follows:

Charleston, SC Doubletree Guest Suites 181 Church Street Charleston, SC 29401 Monday, July 28, 2008, 5 p.m.– 9 p.m.	Beaufort, SC Holiday Inn Beaufort 2225 Boundary Street Beaufort, SC 29902 Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 5 p.m.– 9 p.m.
Savannah, GA Hyatt Regency Savannah 2 W. Bay Street Savannah, GA 31401 Wednesday, July 30, 2008, 5 p.m.– 9 p.m.	Jacksonville, FL Hyatt Regency Jacksonville – Riverfront 225 East Coastline Drive Jacksonville, FL, 32202 Thursday, July 31, 2008, 5 p.m.– 9 p.m.

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 hearing 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:

Charleston, SC Charleston County Library 68 Calhoun Street Charleston, SC 29401	Beaufort, SC Beaufort County Public Library 311 Scott Street Beaufort, SC 29902
Savannah, GA Live Oak Public Libraries 2002 Bull Street Savannah, GA 31401	Brunswick, GA Three Rivers Regional Library System 208 Gloucester Street Brunswick, GA 31520
Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Public Library 303 North Laura Street Jacksonville, FL 32202	Polk City, FL Polk County Library Cooperative 215 South Bougainvillea Avenue Polk City, FL 33868
Ocala, FL Marion County Public Library 2720 East Silver Springs Boulevard Ocala, FL 34470

How can the community submit comments?

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.