Since 1891, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) has built and supported vital naval assets through two world wars and several conflicts, many technological changes, as well as fluctuations in our nation’s economy. Through adaptability, perseverance and devotion to duty, the facility has maintained its reputation as a provider of world-class service to all U.S. Navy vessels.
PSNS & IMF is the Navy’s primary provider for the maintenance, repair, modernization, inactivation, and recycling of ships, submarines, and aircraft carriers in the Pacific Fleet. PSNS & IMF is the only Navy shipyard on the West Coast with a dry dock that can accommodate nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for repair and maintenance. Additionally, PSNS & IMF is the only Navy shipyard that is approved to recycle nuclear-powered submarines.
Much of the infrastructure at PSNS & IMF dates back to the late 1800s and early 1900s and it was primarily designed for building and maintaining ship classes that are no longer part of the modern naval fleet. Other than construction of Dry Dock 6 in the early 1960s, the shipyard has had few major infrastructure updates since the mid-1900s, which has led to significant production inefficiencies for maintaining current ships. The shipyard lacks the necessary capacity to accommodate new and future classes of ships.
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the Navy is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of constructing a new dry dock and associated waterfront infrastructure improvements at PSNS & IMF. PSNS & IMF is located on Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton in Washington state.
Specifically, the Navy’s Proposed Action is to:
PSNS & IMF is located at Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton, which is located on the north side of Sinclair Inlet within the city of Bremerton in Kitsap County, Washington.
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to address critical deficiencies in dry dock capability, capacity, and seismic survivability at Naval Base Kitsap – Bremerton to enable PSNS & IMF to meet its mission to support the Navy’s fleet.
The Proposed Action is needed because:
A new dry dock and associated waterfront infrastructure improvements are necessary to provide the capacity and capability to meet the fleet’s future operational needs.
The Navy conducted several preliminary studies to determine alternative ways to meet its purpose and need for improving the shipyard. Several alternatives that meet the purpose and need were evaluated against screening criteria. At this time, two preliminary action alternatives are being considered for further evaluation in the EIS, in addition to the No Action Alternative. The public is invited to help identify other alternatives that meet the purpose and need. The alternatives currently being considered vary in the location of the proposed multi-mission dry dock, as well as its size and supporting components.
| Feature | Alternative 1 No Action Alternative |
Preliminary Alternative 2 Multi-Mission Dry Dock at Dry Dock 3 |
Preliminary Alternative 3 Multi-Mission Dry Dock at Mooring A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Mission Dry Dock Location | No multi-mission dry dock constructed | Dry Dock 3 | Mooring A |
| Multi-Mission Dry Dock Size | No multi-mission dry dock constructed | 190 feet x 1,250 feet | 190 feet x 1,250 feet |
| Multi-Mission Dry Dock Wharf | No multi-mission dry dock constructed | No multi-mission dry dock wharf constructed | New nuclear-powered aircraft carrier repair wharf at multi-mission dry dock east wall |
| Forge Shop | No change | New forge shop at Naval Base Kitsap – Bangor | No change |
| Dry Dock 6 | No change | Seismic upgrade | Seismic upgrade |
| Pier 2 | No new Pier 2 constructed | New Pier 2 | No new Pier 2 constructed |
| Pier 4 | No change | Demolish and replace with new pier | Demolish and replace with new pier |
| Pier 5 | No change | Demolish | No change |
| Pier 6 | No change | Demolish and replace with new pier for nuclear-powered aircraft carrier repairs | No change |
| Hammerhead Crane | No change | Demolish | Demolish |
| Pier 7 | No change | Demolish | No change |
| Mooring A | No change | No change | Demolish |
| Dredging | No dredging | Entrance channels and demolition of pier pilings/ footers | Entrance channels, new turning basin, and demolition of pier pilings/footers |
Under the No Action Alternative, the proposed multi-mission dry dock would not be constructed; Dry Dock 6 would not be upgraded to meet current seismic standards; and other component actions would not occur. The Navy would continue to maintain, repair, and operate existing facilities, but would continue to experience production inefficiencies due to the shipyard’s limited capacity and capabilities for servicing current and future ships.
The No Action Alternative does not meet the purpose and need for the Proposed Action, but as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, the No Action Alternative will be analyzed to provide a baseline for measuring the environmental impacts of the action alternatives.
Under Preliminary Alternative 2, the Navy would:
Under Preliminary Alternative 3, the Navy would:
In the EIS, the Navy will analyze the potential impacts the Proposed Action and alternatives may have on the environmental resource areas listed below. During the public scoping period, the public can suggest additional resources and alternatives for consideration.
