The Navy trains in the same environments as the wildlife, plants and animals that rely on the ocean ecosystems of the eastern U.S. and in the Gulf of Mexico. Navy priorities include taking the necessary precautions to minimize effects of Navy activities on these resources.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process allows the Navy an opportunity to review and assess its operations, ensuring that the benefits of recent scientific and technological advances are applied toward minimizing environmental effects.

The Navy has prepared a detailed Draft EIS/OEIS using data from:

• Marine Resource Assessments: Comprehensive reviews of protected species sighting, stranding, and survey data, as well as peer-reviewed literature and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) reports, including stock assessments and recovery plans.
• Density Estimates: Estimates of species abundance in a study area based on analysis of shipboard and/or aerial survey data.
• Available Scientific Literature and Study Results.

Minimizing Potential Effects to the Environment

Defending the U.S. and protecting military personnel requires continuous and realistic training at sea.  Protection of our environmental and natural resources is an integral part of the Navy training program. The Navy has prepared the AFAST Draft EIS/OEIS to assess the potential effects of training on environmental, cultural and socioeconomic resources along the east coast of the U.S. and in the Gulf of Mexico.

The EIS/OEIS process also provides an opportunity for the Navy to openly review and assess its planned operations comprehensively and ensure that the benefits of operational, scientific and technological advances are applied toward minimizing effects.