EIS/OEIS
What is a Range Complex?
A “range complex” is an organized and designated set of
specifically bounded geographic areas which can encompass a landmass, body of water
(above or below the surface), and/or airspace. Range complexes are used to conduct training, research, development, and test and evaluation of military hardware,
personnel, tactics, munitions, explosives, or electronic combat systems.
Ranges and operational areas (OPAREAs) are locations where Navy personnel train to accomplish
their mission for national defense. The Navy has geographically grouped its ranges and OPAREAs
to form range complexes, which are organized and managed to optimize training opportunities
in a safe and controlled environment. The ranges and facilities of the
Northwest Training Range Complex are unique and provide training opportunities essential for the safety
and readiness of military personnel and the success of the military mission. The protection of
natural and cultural resources is also an integral component of this training. Navy training
activities incorporate protective measures as standard operating procedure to promote environmental
conservation.
Northwest Training Range Complex
The Northwest Training Range Complex consists of numerous individual training areas that
stretch from Washington to Northern California. Extending 250 nautical miles (about 288 miles)
west from the coastline into the Pacific Ocean, the Northwest Training Range Complex encompasses
more than 126,000 square nautical miles of ocean area. The range complex also includes more than
34,000 square nautical miles of airspace. The land, air, and sea components of the Northwest
Training Range Complex provide the space and resources needed to realistically train Navy Sailors
and aviators to achieve and maintain Fleet readiness.
Background
To keep up with advances in technology and new national security challenges, the U.S. Navy
occasionally must reassess and alter its operations, including its methods of testing weapons
and training Sailor and aviators within the Northwest Training range Complex. These change in
the level and type of training and testing activities are called the proposed Action.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and Executive Order 12114,
Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, the navy is preparing and Environmental
impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) to evaluate the potential
environmental effects of maintaining Fleet readiness to support current, emerging, and future
training activities. Furthermore, the Proposed Action serves to implement range enhancement within
the Northwest Training Range complex, thereby ensuring fleet requirements are met.
Why is the proposal needed?
Naval transformation initiatives
determine current, emerging, and future requirements for training access to the
Northwest Training Range Complex. Moreover, recent world events have placed the U.S. military
on heightened alert in the defense of the U.S., and in defense of allied nations.
At this time, the U.S. military, and specifically the U.S. Navy, is actively engaged
in anti-terrorism efforts around the globe. Title 10 U.S. Code Section 5062 directs
the Chief of Naval Operations to maintain, train, and equip all naval forces for
combat so that they are capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining
freedom of the seas. To achieve this level of readiness, naval forces must have
access to ranges, OPAREAs, and airspace where they can develop
and maintain skills for wartime missions and conduct Research
Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) of naval weapons
systems. As such, Department of Navy (DON) ranges, OPAREAs, and airspace must be maintained and/or enhanced
to accommodate necessary training and testing activities in support of national
security objectives.
What is proposed?
The Proposed Action is needed to provide a training environment consisting of ranges, training areas,
and range instrumentation with the capacity and capabilities to fully support required training
tasks for operational units and military schools. By Federal mandate, the navy needs to:
Maintain current levels of military readiness, including Ships,
submarines, and aviation squadrons, and accommodate future increases;
Adequately support the training need for new Ships, aircraft, and
weapons systems;
Identify and provide for range enhancements; and
Maintain the long-term viability of the range complex while protection
human health and the environment.
What Will be evaluated?
The Navy understands and recognizes the potential
effects training activities may have on the environment, as well as to the
community and the businesses that rely on these resources. Additionally,
public input received during the scoping period of the process will be
carefully considered as alternatives are refined and analyzed. Currently,
three alternatives will be analyzed:
The No Action Alternative
is comprised of baseline operations and support of existing range
capabilities. Training activities and major range events would
continue at baseline levels. The Northwest Training Range Complex
capabilities would not accommodate proposed force structure changes or provide range enhancements.
Alternative 1
is comprised of the No Action Alternative plus additional operations on
upgraded/-modernized existing ranges. This includes
an increased number of training activities from baseline levels, and force
structure changes associated with the introduction of new weapon systems,
vessels, and aircraft into the Fleet. In addition, training and activities
associated with force structure changes would be implemented for the EA-18G
Growler, Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
(UAVs).
Alternative 2
is comprised of Alternative 1 plus new ranges, new dedicated capabilities,
and additional increased tempo (beyond Alternative 1) to optimize training
in support of future contingencies. This includes an increase in the
number of training activities over the levels identified in Alternative 1.
Additionally, in Alternative 2, range enhancements would be implemented, to
include the establishment of an electronic combat emitter along the coast of
Washington, increased net explosive weights for underwater demolition,
development of air target services, and installation of surface targets.