Navy and Coast Guard Update Environmental Impact Statement for NW Testing

The U.S. Navy, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, is embarking on an update to a previous environmental impact assessment from 2015. This initiative aims to evaluate the potential environmental consequences of proposed maritime military training and testing in the Northwest.

Formally titled the “Northwest Training and Testing Final Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement and the 2020 Northwest Training and Testing Final Supplemental EIS/OEIS,” the Navy spearheads this effort, with the Coast Guard joining due to its related training activities.

Both military branches are soliciting input from the public, stakeholders, and federally recognized tribes. They are interested in comments on the scope of the impact statement, which includes “identifying potential alternatives or issues that should be addressed … relaying environmental concerns, identifying historic in-water properties, and providing information or analysis relevant to the proposed action or the project’s potential to affect historic in-water properties” as outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act.

The comment period is open for 45 days, starting on December 5 and concluding on January 19.

Military Readiness Activities

The proposed military readiness activities span training, research, development, testing, and evaluation across water surfaces and airspace. These activities are designed to keep the Navy and Coast Guard equipped to fulfill their national defense missions, adhering to Congressional mandates.

Activities may involve the use of active sonar, explosives, and other sound sources. Both the Navy and Coast Guard have committed to implementing mitigation measures during these activities to minimize potential harm to marine life. They will seek the renewal of federal permits and authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, as existing permits expire in November 2027.

Geographical Scope

The “Study Area” for these activities excludes land and overland airspace. It comprises three regions: offshore areas of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California coasts; the inland waters of Washington; and the Western Behm Canal in Southeast Alaska.

Coast Guard’s Role and Activities

A Coast Guard spokesperson highlighted the potential expansion of the Coast Guard’s activities, emphasizing collaboration with the Navy to balance national defense needs with environmental protection. Planned activities include gunnery exercises, maritime security operations, and search and rescue missions.

Public Involvement

The Navy and Coast Guard are actively seeking public input during this scoping effort, which is a component of the National Environmental Policy Act process. Comments are welcome until January 19, 2026, and will be considered in the development of the updated Draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS, anticipated for release in Fall 2026. Previous outreach efforts have resulted in valuable feedback that informed studies and mitigation measures.

Both branches are committed to environmental stewardship, employing measures such as using trained lookouts and acoustic detection to mitigate potential impacts on marine species. These efforts reflect their statutory missions, which include environmental protection and search and rescue.