Public involvement is an important part of developing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and Department of Defense guidance. Public and agency input allows decision makers to benefit from local knowledge and consider local issues and concerns.
The public participates in the NEPA process during the following key stages:
Public Scoping Period: The public helps to identify the scope of analysis, environmental resource areas, and potential alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS. Input received during the public scoping period is considered in the development of the Draft EIS. The public scoping period ended on July 11, 2022. Input received during the public scoping period will be considered in the development of the Draft EIS.
The Navy hosted a virtual public scoping meeting consisting of presentations and a question-and-answer session on June 23, 2022 to provide information about the Navy's Proposed Action and the EIS process. The public is encouraged to view the meeting recording to learn more about the Proposed Action and the environmental review process.
Members of the media with a query may contact Ms. Julianne Stanford with the Navy Region Northwest Public Affairs Office, at julianne.e.stanford.civ@us.navy.mil or 360-867-8525.
Visit the Proposed Action page to learn about the Proposed Action and alternatives
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is a U.S. federal environmental law that requires federal agencies to consider the potential environmental impacts of their proposed actions before making a decision. NEPA ensures reasonable alternatives to the proposed action are explored, potential impacts to the environment are thoroughly analyzed, and the public has an opportunity to provide input. In compliance with NEPA, the Navy is preparing an EIS to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with constructing a new dry dock and associated waterfront infrastructure improvements at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF).
Concurrent with the NEPA process, the Navy is conducting the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 process. The NHPA requires federal agencies to identify historic properties within the project area, determine potential effects to identified historic properties, and consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer, federally recognized Tribes, and other interested parties. Historic properties include districts, sites, buildings, structures, or objects listed or eligible for listing in the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places, including National Historic Landmarks.
