A.G. Gancarski
Last week, the Navy sent Jacksonville public officials a letter announcing that it is in the “beginning stages of preparing” an environmental-impact statement for Atlantic Fleet training and testing.
This training encompasses the sea space and airspace over the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern North American coast, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico, and will be conducted at levels necessary to support military readiness in November 2018 and beyond.
It will include “evolving mission requirements” related to “force structure changes,” including the development and introduction of new weapons systems.
The environmental impact analysis will consider the effects on species, endangered and otherwise, as well as water and air quality, noise, and cultural and socioeconomic resources, as well as public health and safety.
All told, the study areas encompass 2.6 million nautical miles.
