MITT draft SEIS/OEIS now available for review, comments

ASAN, Guam—The U.S. Navy has prepared a draft supplement to the 2015 final Mariana Islands Training and Testing Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement. 
In the draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS, the Navy evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with conducting ongoing and future military readiness activities within the Study Area at sea and on Farallon de Medinilla. 
The Navy requests and welcomes substantive public comments on the MITT draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS.

Proposed action
The proposed action is to conduct at-sea training and testing activities within the study area. These activities include the use of active sonar and explosives while employing marine species mitigation measures. The purpose of the Proposed Action, which remains the same as the 2015 MITT Final EIS/OEIS, is to maintain a ready force to ensure the military can accomplish its mission to maintain, train, and equip combat-ready forces.

The proposed at-sea training and testing activities are generally consistent with those analyzed in the 2015 MITT Final EIS/OEIS and are similar to activities the military has conducted in the Study Area for decades.

The MITT study area includes:

The Mariana Islands Range Complex

Areas on the high seas to the north and west of the Mariana Islands Range Complex

A transit corridor between the Mariana Islands Range Complex and the Hawaii Range Complex, starting at the International Date Line

Apra Harbor and select Navy pierside and harbor locations

The study area has not changed since the 2015 Final EIS/OEIS. In the Supplemental EIS/OEIS, the Navy analyzes only the training and testing activities conducted at sea and on FDM within the study area. Other activities and land areas are not included and remain covered under the 2015 analysis and associated authorizations.

Please visit the project website at www.MITT-EIS.com to download the draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS and submit substantive comments online.

The Navy is seeking public review and comment on the Proposed Action and alternatives and the accuracy and adequacy of the environmental analysis.

The draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS is available for public review online at www.MITT-EIS.com and at the following locations: 

GUAM
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library University of Guam, UOG Station, Mangilao, GU 96923
Nieves M. Flores Memorial Library, 254 Martyr St., Hagåtña, GU 96910

SAIPAN
Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Beach Road and Insatto St., Saipan, MP 96950

TINIAN
Tinian Public Library, San Jose Village, Tinian, MP 96952

ROTA
Antonio C. Atalig Memorial Library, Rota, MP 96951 

The Navy will accept comments throughout the public comment period, which ends March 18. All comments must be postmarked or received online by March 18, 2019, Chamorro Standard Time, for consideration in the final Supplemental EIS/OEIS. Comments may be submitted online at www.MITT-EIS.com, at the public meetings, or by mail to:

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific
Attention: MITT Supplemental EIS/OEIS Project Manager
258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100
Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134

Open house
The Navy will hold two open house public meetings to provide information, answer questions, and give the public an opportunity to comment on the draft Supplemental EIS/OEIS.  The public may arrive at any time between 5pm and 8pm, as there will not be a presentation or formal oral comment session. The meetings will be held at the following locations:

GUAM: Tuesday, Feb. 26, University of Guam, Jesus & Eugenia Leon Guerrero School of Business and Public Administration building, Anthony Leon Guerrero Multi-Purpose Room 129 and Henry Sy Atrium, Mangilao, Guam 96923 
SAIPAN: Wednesday, Feb. 27, Kanoa Resort Saipan, Seaside Hall, Beach Road in Susupe. (PR)