Natural Resources
The Navy shares its training environments
with the wildlife,
plants and animals that rely on the land and ocean ecosystems of the Northwest Training Range
Complex. Understanding these complex environments and taking the necessary precautions to minimize
potential effects of Navy training activities on these resources are Navy priorities.
Putting the Latest Science and Technology to Practical Use
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process allows the Navy an opportunity
to review and assess its training activities, ensuring that the benefits of recent scientific and
technological advances are applied toward
minimizing environmental effects. As part of this process, scientists will compile and analyze all
currently available data and research with a focus on understanding species distribution, abundance,
and movement patterns with respect to the Navy’s Proposed Actions.
Examples of Scientific Data and Research Include:
Integrated Natural/Cultural Resources Management Plans: Comprehensive and integrated
management plans for land-based natural/cultural resources protection.
Marine Resource Assessments: Comprehensive reviews of protected species sighting,
stranding, and survey data, as well as peer-reviewed literature and National Marine Fisheries
Service 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.
Scientific Literature and Study Results: Results of research focused on hearing and diving
physiology, behavioral responses to human generated sound, and reducing the effects of
sound (e.g., Sound Propagation and Effects Modeling).
Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP): A program that
funds innovative environmental technologies for the Department of Defense (DoD).
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program. A program that promotes innovative
environmental technologies through demonstration and validation at DoD sites.
The Navy’s Ongoing Protective and Conservation Measures
Environmental protection efforts have been a standard component of Navy operations for
decades, enabling vital Navy training while protecting the terrestrial and marine environments.
The Navy has developed a set of procedures and tools to avoid harm and minimize
effects to terrestrial and marine species and habitats. To protect and safeguard the marine
environment, every Navy ship and its crew are thoroughly trained in and follow specific standard
operating procedures.
Avoiding Important Habitats and Marine Protected Areas
Marine Protected Areas are important habitats for marine species. Naval vessel Officers are aware of
Marine Protected Areas and implement measures to avoid these areas.
In particular, areas where sound energy can be trapped within the ocean’s surface layer or be
affected by ocean floor topography, and areas where there are limited outlet routes for marine mammals,
can create conditions that are potentially hazardous. To minimize this, the Navy will modify their
training activities until conditions are less dangerous for the marine mammals.
Terrestrial Measures
Vegetative restoration; endangered species surveys and management; and wetlands surveys and management.
Establishing Standoff Distances for Marine Species
Naval vessels maneuver to keep at least 500 yards away from observed whales.
Posting Shipboard Lookouts
Navy shipboard lookouts (also referred to as
“watchstanders”) are highly qualified and experienced observers that undergo extensive training
to certify that they have the necessary skills to detect activity on the water that could be marine
mammals. These personnel undergo extensive training and learn their role in environmental protection,
laws governing the protection of marine species, and the Navy’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Monitoring for Marine Species Prior to Training Exercises
Prior to training, Navy personnel monitor the ocean area, both
visually and acoustically, for marine mammal
activity. If the animals are present, the training activity is altered
or suspended to minimize the potential for effects.
Supporting Vital Marine Mammal Research
The U.S. Navy is a world leader in marine mammal research and provides nearly $10 million
dollars every year to universities, research institutions,
federal laboratories, private companies, and independent researchers around the world to increase
the understanding of marine mammal physiology and behavior. This research also helps the Navy
identify species that can be affected by sound in the water. Seventy percent of all U.S.
research on the effects of human-generated sound on marine mammals and 50 percent of such
research conducted worldwide is sponsored by the U.S. Navy. Major topics of Navy-supported
research include:
Better understanding marine species distribution and important habitat areas
Developing methods to detect and monitor marine species prior to and during training
Understanding the effects of sound on marine mammals, turtles, and fish
Developing tools to model and estimate potential effects of sound
Resource Analysis
Protecting Marine Resources
The coastal and sea areas of the Pacific Northwest are very important to the people who
live there. These same areas are also home to a large variety of marine plants and animals,
including baleen and toothed whales, porpoises, seals and sea lions. In addition, the coastal
and sea areas are places where people make a living or use for recreation purposes.
The marine areas of the Pacific Northwest, some of which are included in the Northwest Training
Range complex, are also important to the U.S. Navy. The Northwest Training Range Complex is a
critical component of the Navy’s Pacific fleet in the eastern Pacific Ocean, where Sailors and
aviators learn the vital at-sea skills needed to work on Ships, in submarines, and in aircraft.
This training is critical in preparing them for response to military activities and humanitarian
relief efforts.
Protecting the marine environment of the Pacific Northwest is also an important goal to the U.S.
Navy. The navy follows detailed programs to care for the existing environment and continues to
improve these programs as they learn more about the ocean.
Evaluating Resources
The natural resources in and around the Northwest Training Range Complex are enjoyed by many for their livelihoods, recreation purposes and aesthetics. The waters and
coastal areas around the range complex are popular for sport fishing, commercial fishing, diving,
and other recreational activities (e.g., boating or
kayaking). Commercial
ships also use the waters and coastal areas around the range complex.
Navy operations and commercial and recreational ocean activity have coexisted in the
Northwest Training Range Complex for decades. The Navy’s public safety and protective measures, such
as, advance notification of scheduled activities, minimize inconveniences to
public interests and help ensure continued safe and cooperative coexistence.
The Navy understands and recognizes the potential for training activities to affect
the community and fishing industries and takes proactive steps to minimize these effects. As part of preparing the
EIS/OEIS, the Navy will carefully evaluate potential effects of its current and proposed activities on:
Terrestrial wildlife and plants
Marine mammals
Fish
Sea birds
Sea turtles
Plankton
Invertebrates
Air quality
Water quality
Cultural resources
Socioeconomics
Other resources as identified